Research at Bond

Current Research Projects

Living Well into the Future

Australian Research Centre for Sustainable Property, Planning & Infrastructure has been selected to take a key role in the largest ever national study into the needs of retirement village residents.

Sponsored by 25 industry partners representing community care organisations, state and local government, developers, planning authorities and financiers, the study is designed to develop a blueprint for retirement living in the future.

“Demographic research indicates that there will be five million Australians over the age of 65 by the year 2031,” said Professor George Earl who will head the Bond University team.

“The expected demand is for 350 to 400 additional retirement villages in the next 20 years.

“This study is designed to ensure that we get it right in terms of the economic, physical and social needs of those future residents.”

Professor Earl’s team will be specifically looking at the physical aspect of these triple bottom-line benefits.

“Our role will be to compile extensive data on a wide range of issues such as the financial affordability of retirement village housing, the need for infrastructure such as public transport and convenient medical services, the impact on local government authorities in terms of rates and planning issues and flowon employment within the wider community.

“We will also be looking at technical design issues such as residents’ preference for single or multi-level dwellings, the preferred size of residential complexes, and the recreational and healthcare facilities required on site.”

This is the first major Australia-wide study to examine the design and placement of retirement villages in such comprehensive detail and Professor Earl believes it will have a major impact on future planning agendas.

“Ultimately, this three-year study will provide developers, local and state governments, aged care associations and health professionals with a very clear understanding of the physical, social and economic needs of our ageing population and allow us to plan retirement villages that fully integrate all of these factors.”

Key Project Team Members

  • Professor George Earl - Bond University
  • Professor John Piggott - University of New South Wales
  • Professor Phil Bohle - University of New South Wales
  • Dr David Kennedy - University of New South Wales

Funding Sources

Contact:

Professor George Earl
Dip QS, Grad Dip (PD), MSc PM, PhD, AAIQS, MAIPM, AAPI, MPIA, MRICS, FAIB

Australian Research Centre for Sustainable Property, Planning & Infrastructure
BOND UNIVERSITY QLD 4229
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 7 5595 2293
Email: gearl@staff.bond.edu.au