Why a “village of short distances” is so important

Society is aging: This raises the question of how we can create self-determined and affordable living in old age. This topic was recently discussed at the symposium “How are you, old man? Creating spaces for the future together” at the afo architekturforum Oberösterreich in Linz.

“On average, Austrians at 85 start thinking seriously about how they want to live in the final phase of their lives. That’s pretty late,” said Christoph Reinprecht from the Institute of Sociology at the University of Vienna. The picture of older people is not homogeneous: there are wealthy and needy people, fit and sick people, rooted people and people with a migrant background, as well as various forms of patchwork families.

Living in old age therefore requires a wide range of offerings that go beyond nursing homes and home health care. At the symposium, 23 models and alternatives were presented, ranging from citizen cooperatives to intergenerational living communities to converted square houses. However, according to the project operators, implementation is difficult due to federal care and housing support systems.

Diakoniewerk board member Daniela Palk emphasized the potential of age-appropriate local development: Older people could contribute a lot to life, even in rural regions. It is important to take limited mobility into account. A “village of short distances” with a functioning town center and structures such as restaurants, shopping and leisure facilities is beneficial for everyone.

The afo is dedicating a focus to the topic of “living in old age” in autumn.

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