Ageing in the neighbourhood: Creating caring communities and increasing liveability in Dutch neighbourhoods

Abstract

This paper describes interventions that have a positive impact on the participation of the elderly in neighbourhood activities and urban renewal. Nowadays in the Netherlands, many interventions are carried out without critical reflection in advance on the conditions under which they will be most successful. This paper gives an overview of the opportunities and possibilities that allow the elderly to play active roles in society. In addition, the physical and social neighbourhood conditions that support these active roles are considered. A conceptual model is proposed, based on literature and research in Arnhem and other Dutch cities, indicating the expected social impact of planned interventions designed to increase the participation of the elderly. The assumption is that interaction between the elderly and their neighbourhood will increase the social efficacy of that neighbourhood, enabling it to cope with liveability problems.