Town planners need to consider boomers
Reporter Mike Bain looks at why town planners should factor in the older generation, as part of our series on Cambridge’s Growing Pains.
Baby boomers, retirees, superannuitants or just elderly - call them what you like - in Cambridge their numbers are increasing.
It’s expected that over the next 20 years, their number will almost double, reaching over one million.
This unprecedented rate of growth has major implications on the demand for services in Cambridge, it’s economic performance and community resilience.
It is imperative the authors of the proposed Cambridge Charter document, which will be used as guideline for the future development for the town as it grows, listens attentively to the voice of this generation.
Supporting and engaging with these people as they move into retirement is crucial for the economic future of Cambridge.
Nearly half of New Zealand’s wealth resides with the 55-plus age group.
The needs for an aging population needs to be taken into account and the Waipa District Council has recently acknowledged this with the adoption of its Age Friendly Policy.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided councils and communities a checklist of what should be included in policies which councils can influence.
These include transportation, outdoor spaces, housing, social participation, communications and information, respect and social inclusion, social participation and civic participation and employment.
The group manger for service delivery Barry Bergin said the physical work is also being carried out alongside of its access policy.
Bergin confirmed work has already started on upgrading some of its historic infrastructure, footpaths steep down guttering at intersections, tactiles and refuge islands at crossings.
‘‘Some infrastructure has not been wheelchair or mobility scooter friendly.’’
Mobility carparks are governed by the overall space for parks available, and placement is generally where there is demand.
Bergin would like to see the strategy also take in parks and reserves around the district. Items like railings on the inclines on walking tracks should be con- sidered in the future.
Affordable housing in Cambridge remains an issue for the elderly as does transport.