Architecture, as a way of organizing human relationships across time and space, is subject to a strong orthodoxy about where and how certain functions should be located in the urban landscape.

Some specific aspects of human life – old age, illness, care – seem to be assigned to certain physical spaces, separate from the spaces of everyday life.

While contemporary architecture allows for the ideal of multifunctional structures, spaces towards “aging” are usually located on the periphery of the city, giving the impression of being thrown beyond the reach of our bodily consciousness.

It is clear that architecture achieves physically what consumer society seeks to apply mentally. It seems that old age and the idea of it have no place in a society that only praises youth, mobility and success.
Spaces towards “aging” have a place in our cities but we often attribute to them
camouflaged, aesthetically questionable and introverted spaces.

It is also true that although they are much less exposed and uninspired in a consumerist society, examples of new projects for the elderly that respectfully claim the dignity of this stage of life are slowly beginning to emerge.

And more such projects are needed in our neighborhood!

Photo: Own Archive, Plussenburg, aging-friendly housing in Rotterdam, November 2019