Creating Spaces for an Ageing Society: The Role of Critical Social Infrastructure

Creating Spaces for an Ageing Society explores how social infrastructure can be used to build local neighborhoods that support social relationships and create a positive environment for aging. It emphasizes the importance of diverse spaces for developing and maintaining social connections, drawing on research from various fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2021
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Creating Spaces for an Ageing Society:

Understanding the importance of social infrastructure in building supportive local neighbourhoods for an ageing population, this book explores the existing social science literature on shared neighbourhood spaces. It raises the question of how we can utilize social infrastructure to foster social relationships crucial for later life.

Recognizing that social infrastructures are the shared spaces within communities that facilitate social interaction and support the development of social relationships, Yarker delves into the significance of diverse spaces for developing and maintaining social connections as we age. The book emphasizes the reliance of older individuals on neighbourhood-based networks, highlighting the critical importance of creating environments that foster these connections.

Drawing on research from urban studies, sociology, human geography, and social gerontology, the book makes a compelling case for a better appreciation of the often fleeting and minimal interactions we have in our own neighbourhoods. Yarker demonstrates how these interactions, and the everyday spaces we inhabit, can enhance social connectedness for older people and strengthen their connection to place.

By examining the role of social infrastructure in shaping our communities and promoting social well-being, Creating Spaces for an Ageing Society offers valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and community members alike. It encourages a deeper understanding of the importance of designing spaces that foster social interaction, support community engagement, and enhance the quality of life for older individuals.

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 160 x 238 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839827396