A case in America
3.A successful case study
American society began aging in the 1960s and now the elderly account for about 13% of the American population. The American pension system and real estate industry has become increasingly stable for half of a century (Li, 2008). There is a successful case of retirement community called “Sun City Center” in Arizona which built on a large scale by Del Webb. This project has 5 main advantages and will be analyze individually.
(1) Strict management
people who has the qualifications to live in Sun City Center must be over 55 years old. This rule could prevent the possibility of investors occupied resources and protect the rights of elderly people.
(2) Barrier free design
Sun City Center has the barrier free design such as the blind lanes, disabled access and the safe separation between people and vehicles. It is quite necessary for the elderly that with reduced mobility.
(3) Location
Sun City Center is located in the place which has a comfortable climate, especially the adequate sunshine. It is calculated that the total daylight hour is about 312 days annually. Besides, it is near the Lake Pleasant Park with wonderful scenery. The surrounding is quite suitable for the elderly.
(4) Architectural Diversity
There are dwellings and some other facilities for leisure, entertainment, commerce, as well as drop-in centers and elderly care for the elderly community. Dwellings vary in size, function and design, including apartments, houses and lifestyle center which could fully meet the various needs of different elderly.
(5) Medical Service
In Sun City Center, health and medical conditions have achieved the advanced level. The community offers expert consultation and medical staff will check the elderly health door to door regularly, especially the psychological service to make their life longer.
Above all, Sun City Center proves that it is feasible leading real estate to develop communities for the elderly provides lessons for China. However, China should consider its local conditions. As the designer said, “Our country is aging heavily, what we want to do is to have more vitality, more activity and more than what we are used to in our country. (Rubiano & Chan, 2010).” Therefore, developing communities is not only to build houses. Good services are also needed especially care services.