Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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A Rural Retirement

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thesis
posted on 2023-07-01, 02:00 authored by Horgan, Janaya

When the time comes for older adults living in rural New Zealand to retire, it is often difficult for them to age in their communities. Rural areas are often isolated and depleted of services, giving many older rural New Zealanders no choice other than to move to an urban area to obtain a higher level of care. This move commonly results in the deterioration of mental and physical health; the loss of their tight-knit and supportive community; and a decreased sense of connection to the natural environment and animals.

This thesis adopts a design-led research strategy to develop an alternative retirement living option that allows rural New Zealanders to age-in-place in rural areas. Set in Tikorangi, a small farming district in North Taranaki, it targets residents who are often forced to move into the nearest town or city. Adopting a participatory design process to gather information about the needs and wants of the target audience, followed by a series of design explorations and iterations, this thesis tests how the built environment can enhance the relationship between seniors, members of the community, the natural environment, and animals.

The final design explores how the rural environmental characteristics can be adjusted allowing rural older adults to retire and age successfully within their rural communities. It aims to be an exemplar for other small rural communities throughout New Zealand.

History

Copyright Date

2023-07-01

Date of Award

2023-07-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Architecture

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Architecture (Professional)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Outcome code

280104 Expanding knowledge in built environment and design

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

3 Applied research

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

Wellington School of Architecture

Advisors

McIntosh, Jacqueline