Fostering intergenerational interactions in high-rise residential neighbourhoods: towards culturally-informed interventions?

Abstract

Previous studies have investigated the impacts of high-rise living on neighbourhood social interactions, yet this body of literature does not focus explicitly on intergenerational interactions, which are associated with distinctive benefits for older and younger generations. This qualitative study investigated how younger and older people interact in high-rise neighbourhoods, and identified the factors that hinder intergenerational interactions, through in-depth interviews with 23 young adults and 26 older people in Hong Kong. The findings revealed that the two generations rarely interact, partly due to generational differences in the use of public spaces, and partly due to socio-cultural factors, especially the pervasive culture of digital communication among younger people, and aversion to small talk in public spaces. The findings also highlighted the potential of new forms of interdependency-oriented interventions in enhancing intergenerational support, while respecting residents’ desire for privacy. These findings highlight the need for culturally-sensitive interventions, in order to foster meaningful intergenerational interactions in high-rise neighbourhoods across different cultural contexts.