The Participation of Older People in the Concept and Design Phases of Housing in The Netherlands: A Theoretical Overview.

Zsuzsu K C T Tavy,Suzan Van Der Pas,Joost Van Hoof,Hanneke Kruize,Jeroen Dikken,Katja M Rusinovic,Rudy F M Van Den Hoven,Marianne E Van Bochove,Simone R De Bruin

doi:10.3390/healthcare9030301

Abstract

In the Netherlands, there is a growing need for collective housing for older people to bridge the gap between ageing-in-place and institutional care facilities. Participation of older people in the concept and design phases is important to tune the market supply to the needs of (future) residents, yet social entrepreneurs find it challenging to involve older people. This commentary explores various ways older people can participate in the development of new housing initiatives. The ladder of citizen participation is applied to explore different roles that (future) residents could play with levels of influence varying from non-participation to citizen power. Considerations for meaningful participation are discussed, in order to show how collaborations can be formed between (future) residents and decision makers.

Highlights

All over the Western World, people live longer and are generally in better health than previous generations of their age
Having older people’s voices heard during the concept and design phases of the development of new housing facilities fits the goals of the age-friendly city movement, as this pertains to the domains of buildings and housing, social participation and social inclusion
According to Dedding and Slager [21] participation is a situational and interactive process in which all stakeholders in research and/or policy are in dialogue, doing justice to the lived experiences, knowledge and competences of all actors, especially individuals whose daily life and body are at stake, in all phases of the process, aiming for improvements in quality of care and a more inclusive society

Summary

Introduction

All over the Western World, people live longer and are generally in better health than previous generations of their age. The supply of intermediate forms of housing for older people with low and middle incomes is limited These efforts will not be successful without the participation of older people in concept and design phases of these new housing facilities. Having older people’s voices heard during the concept and design phases of the development of new housing facilities fits the goals of the age-friendly city movement, as this pertains to the domains of buildings and housing, social participation and social inclusion. An overview is provided of the theoretical state-of-the-art, namely ways to include older people in the concept and design phases of new housing facilities. This commentary will consider the concepts of partnership and participation. Thereafter, an overview is provided of what older people expect from participation

Levels of Participation

Manipulation

Examples of Participation in the Concept and Design Phases

What Do Older People Expect from Participation?

Factors That Impact the Participation of Older People

Afterthoughts and Recommendations