Task Force on Promoting Elderly-friendly Building Design to Put Forward Proposals within 2024

Among the series of cross-sectoral measures proposed by the Government to cater for the ageing population is the promotion of elderly‑friendly building design. As outlined in the 2023 Policy Address, the concepts of universal design and accessibility will be incorporated more comprehensively into the Buildings Department (BD)’s design manual.

To this end, a task force has been set up to review existing legislation and design provisions in the BD’s Design Manual: Barrier Free Access, and to put forward proposals within this year. Led by the Deputy Financial Secretary, other members of the task force comprise the Secretary for Development; Secretary for Housing; Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Permanent Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing; Director of Architectural Services; Director of Buildings; and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Housing Society.

The directions of work discussed in the unit’s first meeting, held on 6 February 2024, included the following:

• to make reference to the design requirements for elderly-friendly buildings or facilities in Hong Kong and other places;
• to consider how to implement relevant design requirements; and
• to explore the adoption of relevant design requirements in public housing projects as pilots.

For details, please refer to the terms of reference of the task force. —Construction+ Online

” Read: The First Senior Housing Report on Investment Potential in Hong Kong Releases Findings

Sources: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address