Conference Gated Communities: Building Social Division or Safer Communities? Creating a safer community for elder people in mixed-use development- Vertical gated community in the city centre

Since the early 1990s, the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) and local authorities in East Midlands have been promoting mixed-use developments as part of their strategies for revitalizing town centers. A number of studies recognize the positive contribution made by mixed-use schemes towards increasing the vitality and attractions of town centres and improving housing choices for all residents. Meanwhile, the last census confirmed that, in common with western countries, this is an “ageing society”. Faced with the fact that the elderly may become the majority of the population in the near future, planners and housing officers must consider the emerging changes in housing demand over the coming decade. Most elderly people prefer to stay in general-need housing instead of sheltered accommodation and seek living environments with greater vitality: part of this emerging demand may be met by creating more mixed-use schemes. This paper aims to explore the preferences of ‘empty-nesters’, who are aged 55 to 75, whose children have grown up and left home. In order to fulfill the housing demand of this group by creating a safer community for them in mixed-use environments, we need to understand their preferences and concerns. A review of mixed-use developments and housing policy in Nottinghamshire was undertaken and a survey of the attitudes of the elderly towards mixed-use developme nt and vertical gated community in Nottinghamshire conducted. The gap between policy makers and householders is investigated and the need for further research into housing for empty-nesters is suggested as a means of accomplishing a more successful mixed-use, vertical gated community and meeting the needs of the ageing population.