Finding Common Ground

Abstract

World ageing is rapidly increasing and a dramatic demographic shift in South African population is therefore also expected to grow. The increase in the proportion of the elderly population has led to the global issue of social isolation (Statistics South Africa 2014). Today, the elderly is regarded as less valuable to society because of their dependency on civil society and government funds for health care and social support. Many elderly persons do not feel valued due to their health and/or physical state.

This dissertation explores Laudium, a suburb west of Pretoria. In a time of significant demographic change, to investigate the means of empowering the elderly community of Laudium through an intergenerational community care facility to address the global issue of social isolation and loneliness that plagues majority of the aging population.

As many changes in society, such as increased geographic mobility and improved technological advances, have led to generations frequently becoming segregated from one another, the development of intergenerational shared sites (IGSS) presents a unique opportunity to foster mutual exchange between the generations.

The goal is to investigate the potential of civic architecture to bridge boundaries and divides and develop a physical environment that is accommodating and empowering for all age groups, specifically the vulnerable and supports their physical and social needs to stimulate positive intergenerational exchange.

This dissertation aims to implement a design framework based on guidelines as set out in the Policy on Integrated Delivery of Social Infrastructure and Management drafted by the Department of Social Development (DSD 2012). To address the current shortcomings in service delivery and infrastructure (architecture) in South Africa.