Hey Bryan. Love your thought provoking articles. Thank you. I’m in Australia trying to get my head around what The Villages looks and feels like. We see the proliferation of ‘over 55’s’ living ‘resorts’ here but they are not integrated within the town. They are plonked there. Is The Villages more like the ancient Italian town design of the piazza as the central gathering place and retail surrounding it with residential around and on top? Our urban planning models are reliant on car transportation for most essentials. The polar opposite. They’re isolating. Can you help me understand? Thanks. Anita xx
Great question Anita! In a sense, The Villages is built with these things in mind: a central town square with shops, dining, entertainment, recreation + more (there are 4 of them across the massive community), a multitude of recreation/community centers (there are 130 of them), over 70 golf courses, and interconnected multi-modal trail system that allow residents to either golf cart, bike, or walk throughout this network.
It isn't perfect (there is no true public transportation system), nor as full of rich character and history as an ancient Italian town... but it contributes to a highly active and socially engaged city of "older adults". I've certainly found it fascinating.
Great. Thanks for taking the time to explain Bryan. The scale sounds significant (certainly compared to the scale we do things here with our substantially smaller population base). It's interesting that we feel it's suitable mainly for older adults. Sounds like a model for multigenerations. Are the health facilities sufficient to serve them? Here that is the problem I see with the explosion of some of these 'retirement villages' is that they are usually located where it's 'quieter' (land often cheaper) but in areas where the health care infrastructure like hospitals and supporting allied health centres simply can't cope or are non-existent. That element does not seem to be allowed for. They might not have the rich character but if built sustainably (for structures, people and business) they might just be the next generation of successful piazza life. Maybe others would call that dreaming :) Anita xx
Lastly, The Villages does have a very solid infrastructure for healthcare. It might not be at the level we'd see in a big city... but it is pretty good. Not to mention every home is within 10 min or less of a fire department staffed with EMTs. Also, Orlando is 45 min away and Tampa is 1 hour away - which both have very strong medical specialist groups.
I love that Middleton is being developed! This is what Asian countries are experimenting with success. We have so much to offer others of all generations; good for us and good for them. Putting us away, no matter how fun it might be for a while, is the opposite of what we and world truly need to understand and enjoy the value of older adults. Great article! Ardith
"The index measures things like population renewal, automation readiness, climate resilience, governance, and social cohesion." It should also measure: PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!
Bryan, I appreciated the perspective on The Villages from an insider's POV. Middleton sounds like what I'd be looking for, but I'd want a different geographical location. Maybe some smart developer will get the memo and do something like it elsewhere :)
Hey Bryan. Love your thought provoking articles. Thank you. I’m in Australia trying to get my head around what The Villages looks and feels like. We see the proliferation of ‘over 55’s’ living ‘resorts’ here but they are not integrated within the town. They are plonked there. Is The Villages more like the ancient Italian town design of the piazza as the central gathering place and retail surrounding it with residential around and on top? Our urban planning models are reliant on car transportation for most essentials. The polar opposite. They’re isolating. Can you help me understand? Thanks. Anita xx
Great question Anita! In a sense, The Villages is built with these things in mind: a central town square with shops, dining, entertainment, recreation + more (there are 4 of them across the massive community), a multitude of recreation/community centers (there are 130 of them), over 70 golf courses, and interconnected multi-modal trail system that allow residents to either golf cart, bike, or walk throughout this network.
It isn't perfect (there is no true public transportation system), nor as full of rich character and history as an ancient Italian town... but it contributes to a highly active and socially engaged city of "older adults". I've certainly found it fascinating.
Great. Thanks for taking the time to explain Bryan. The scale sounds significant (certainly compared to the scale we do things here with our substantially smaller population base). It's interesting that we feel it's suitable mainly for older adults. Sounds like a model for multigenerations. Are the health facilities sufficient to serve them? Here that is the problem I see with the explosion of some of these 'retirement villages' is that they are usually located where it's 'quieter' (land often cheaper) but in areas where the health care infrastructure like hospitals and supporting allied health centres simply can't cope or are non-existent. That element does not seem to be allowed for. They might not have the rich character but if built sustainably (for structures, people and business) they might just be the next generation of successful piazza life. Maybe others would call that dreaming :) Anita xx
Agreed - it definitely is a design that could benefit many generations. Interestingly, I touch on that here: https://www.ageproofdesign.com/p/rethinking-where-and-how-we-grow.
Additionally, I share more about the multi-generational "village" I chose to live in at The Villages here: https://www.ageproofdesign.com/i/190792625/but-the-data-is-still-warning-us-about-something-real.
Lastly, The Villages does have a very solid infrastructure for healthcare. It might not be at the level we'd see in a big city... but it is pretty good. Not to mention every home is within 10 min or less of a fire department staffed with EMTs. Also, Orlando is 45 min away and Tampa is 1 hour away - which both have very strong medical specialist groups.
Thanks Bryan. I’ve just read the linked article. Brilliant. Such important thought provoking conversation and words. Axx
I love that Middleton is being developed! This is what Asian countries are experimenting with success. We have so much to offer others of all generations; good for us and good for them. Putting us away, no matter how fun it might be for a while, is the opposite of what we and world truly need to understand and enjoy the value of older adults. Great article! Ardith
"The index measures things like population renewal, automation readiness, climate resilience, governance, and social cohesion." It should also measure: PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!
Bryan, I appreciated the perspective on The Villages from an insider's POV. Middleton sounds like what I'd be looking for, but I'd want a different geographical location. Maybe some smart developer will get the memo and do something like it elsewhere :)