“Senior Housing Failing to Reflect Demographic Changes”[ESF2025]

[Jiyu Kong, Edaily Reporter] “The number of elderly people living alone is increasing, but Korea’s housing facilities are still designed mainly for family-based relations, failing to reflect demographic changes. We need to shift toward ‘community-based housing’ where seniors can coexist.”

Byeong-geun Kang, Chief Architect of Seoul Metropolitan Government.(Photo=Tae Hyung Kim)

Byeong-geun Kang, Chief Architect of Seoul Metropolitan Government, said in a recent interview with Edaily, “As Korea’s aging is progressing at a frightening pace, it is crutial to create an environment where seniors can live independently for as long as possible.”

Kang, an expert in architecture for vulnerable groups, has worked for over 40 years to raise awareness about improving facilities for the disabled and elderly. Appointed as Seoul’s Chief Architect in 2021, he is setting the direction for the city’s urban planning. On the first day of the 16th Edaily Strategy Forum, to be held June 18?19 at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, he will speak about the forms and values of residential facilities needed in a super-aged society.

“A ‘Residential Convenience Promotion Act’ for Seniors Needed”

Chief Architect Kang emphasized the importance of seniors’ right to conduct daily life in their living spaces. He said, “As we enter a super-aged society and the proportion of elderly grows, we need to enact barrier-free housing laws for the vast majority.” He points out that, while the country has enacted “Act on Guarantee of Convenience Promotion for the Disabled, Elderly, and Pregnant Women“” in 1997, focusing on installing accessible public and convenience facilities, legal protections for private housing still remain insufficient. Kang noted, “In Germany, laws on accessibility and convenience are well established not only for public facilities but also for housing, but Korea still lags behind.” He stressed, “As aging progresses, most obstacles to independent living are found within the home. There must be properly placed handrails and regulations for bathroom doors, among others.” He added, “Rather than simply providing financial subsidies, it’s more important to improve the living environment itself.” Fundamentally, he pointed out that housing types must change to reflect the evolving demographic structure. “Currently, most housing facilities are outdated, as they are still designed for traditional family structures, with each member having their own room. But as the number of elderly people living alone rises, in ten years, Korea will reach the world’s highest level,” he predicted. According to Statistics Korea, as of 2023, about 38% of households with seniors aged 65 or older consist of people living alone. One in five elderly people living alone(19%) said they have no one to turn to for help. Kang cautioned that, “It’s becoming difficult to maintain traditional family structures, but Korea’s communal housing has not changed, resulting in spatial and social isolation.” He said, “The biggest problem is building senior houses, nursing homes, and care homes without changing fundamental housing issues. Since families can’t provide care, seniors are grouped together, which, in extreme terms, becomes another form of abandonment, akin to a modern-day Goryeojang.” He advised, “Facilities like senior houses are necessary, but the priority should be to create an environment where seniors can live independently and take responsibility for themselves at home as long as possible.”

Byeong-geun Kang, Chief Architect of Seoul Metropolitan Government.(Photo=Tae Hyung Kim)

“Growing need for Community-based Housing that accomodates non-family relationships”

He proposed various forms of ‘community-based housing model’ formed by non-family relationships as the desirable housing type for a super-aged society. “We need to create environments suitable for various forms of community-based housing where people can continue daily life independently, just like family, even without blood ties,” he said. “It’s necessary to develop housing types where people can share living spaces and coexist, similar to lifestyle cooperatives, providing for each other’s needs.” Kang explained, “If a living community is formed, not just sharing space, seniors can manage their health and enjoy hobbies together in shared communities, preventing them from living in hunger or loneliness.” He emphasized the importance of “universal design” for housing models that are convenient for all generations to use together. He continued, “We need to create facilities from the perspective of dementia housing, not dementia centers, and care housing, not care centers. Humans wish to stay as long as possible and die in the most familiar place, so such facilities should be improved to allow seniors to maintain independent living for as long as possible.” He introduced Seoul’s “Vision for Urban Spaces for the Next 100 Years,” recently announced by the city, as reflecting these values. “Seoul’s future urban model is a ‘vertical city,’ the best model for a super-aged society, allowing seniors to move freely and engage in various social activities. The core idea is to enable all work and leisure activities to be resolved within 5?10 minutes while living in a vertical city,” he emphasized.

About Chief Architect Kang…

△Bachelor’s and Master’s in Architectural Engineering, Konkuk University, △Ph.D. in Architecture and Engineering, Technical University of Berlin, △Honorary Professor, School of Architecture, Konkuk University, △Director, Institute for Creating Barrier-Free Living Environments, △Chief Architect of Seoul Metropolitan Government (Present)