From ‘City’s Rebuilding’ to ‘Revitalisation’: The Possibility of Renovating Some Old Buildings into Aged Care Facilities during Old Towns’ Renewal

Abstract

Nowadays China is faced with the problem of aging and urbanization. The demand of low and middle income elderly people are ignored, while the old towns in cities are at risk of hollowing because of human and industry migration. Take the actual conditions of China into consideration, the research might predict that renovating some old buildings into aged care facilities can ease aging pressure, stimulate old towns’ transition and make it resile from aging problem and migration. Through case study in Hangzhou, we notice that aging and urbanization in China have their own historical context. The squeeze effect caused by old towns’ debility and the siphonic effect result from new towns’ urbanization lead old towns to aging communities. Meanwhile the process that new towns are transformed into the old ones would spread quickly over the whole city. By using interview method in Hangzhou, we find out that old people are inclined to live around their original blocks. Government can develop these old towns by preserving traditional lifestyle and attracting tourists to experience and go sightseeing. In conclusion, renovating some old buildings into aged care facilities exerts positive effect on preservation and development of old towns.