Access Tourism NZ TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SENIORS, AND AGEING BOOMERS IN NEW ZEALAND AND WORLDWIDE

The government of Singapore is creating an inter-agency office that will develop a more accessible urban environment for the country’s older citizens and wants to be a world leader in this field (ChannelNewsAsia.com). Called the “City for All Ages Project Office”, it will look at improving physical infrastructure to make it more senior-friendly, while supporting services that cater to this growing group.  The first of the Baby Boomers reached 65 this year, and the population of people over the age of 65 will continue to rise over the next 20 years.  Singapore is one of the fastest ageing societies in the world, with one million citizens born between 1947 and 1965.  The goal of the office is to make a city that is both affordable and liveable to Boomers and seniors.  This is a smart move by Singapore because not only will it make the city more accessible for residents, but it will also be more accessible for visitors, who are also ageing.  The agencies involved are: the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Ministry of National Development (MND), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Centre for Livable Cities (CLC), Economic Development Board (EDB) and SPRING Singapore.  The office will report to the Minister in charge of ageing issues Lim Boon Heng.   “Let me explain what we mean by ‘liveability’. It goes beyond being barrier free. It goes beyond universal design,” said Heng. “Liveability takes into account the socio-psychological needs of older people, including the need for familiarity, sense of place and sense of safety and convenience.”  The agency plans to accomplish these objectives by coordinating research efforts, and  encouraging the design of new products and services for Boomers.