All Issue

2026 Vol.37, Issue 5 Preview Page
A Comparative Study on the Active Aging Space Elements of Welfare Facilities for the Elderly in Apartment Houses - Focusing on Korea and Singapore -

공동주택 내 노인복지시설의 액티브 에이징 공간 요소 비교 연구 - 한국과 싱가포르를 중심으로 -

Eui Hwa Kim1
,
Jeong Min Moon2
,
Su Kyoung Park3
김 의화1
,
문 정민2
,
박 수경3
1정회원(주저자), 조선대학교 일반대학원 디자인학과 박사수료
2정회원(공동저자), 조선대학교 실내디자인전공 교수
3정회원(교신저자), 조선대학교 실내디자인전공 겸임교수
Corresponding AuthorSu Kyoung Park, Department of Interior Design, Chosun University, 73, Chosundae-gil, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju, Korea. E-mail: sk7815@hanmail.net
25 October 2026. pp. 011-021
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Responding to population aging and the Aging in Place (AIP) paradigm, this study compares and analyzes senior welfare facilities within apartment complexes in South Korea and Singapore from an Active Aging perspective. Utilizing nine spatial indicators derived from WHO’s three pillars-health, participation, and security-three Korean senior centers and three Singaporean Active Aging Centres (AAC) were evaluated. The results revealed that while both countries showed high implementation in interaction promotion and mobile safety, Singapore demonstrated higher application levels in healing environments and open layouts. Korea remained constrained by structured lectures and room-based compartmentalization, whereas Singapore established autonomous healthcare, daily socialization based on void decks, and smart safety technology-integrated environments. Accordingly, four spatial planning directions for Korean Active Aging Centres are proposed: first, establishing continuous autonomous healthcare spaces linked with healing environments; second, forming decentralized neighborhood hubs based on open layouts; third, building active safety nets combining natural surveillance and smart technologies; and fourth, implementing an integrated age-friendly residential environment at the neighborhood level. This study holds academic significance by providing concrete spatial planning guidelines based on Active Aging for future multi-functional senior facility developments.

Keywords
Active Aging
Apartment House
Welfare Facility for the Elderly
Active Ageing Centre
키워드
액티브 에이징
공동주택
노인복지관
액티브 에이징 센터(AAC)
References
1

Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) (2026). Active ageing centres. Retrieved from https://aic.sg/care-services/active-ageing-centres

2

Bae, J. Y. (2024). Participation in leisure sports programs and active aging among senior welfare center users. Journal of Korean Society of Sport, 96, 383-399.

10.51979/KSSLS.2024.04.96.383
3

Care Corner Singapore (2023). SMOU’s visit to newly renovated active aging centre. Sea Voices. Retrieved from https://seavoices.org.sg/smous-visit-to-newly-renovated-active-aging-centre/

4

Kim, K. S. (2022). A study on aging design for active seniors in super-aged society. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Korea.

5

Kim, M. J. (2024). A study on the elderly-friendly park for active aging. Unpublished master’s thesis, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Korea.

6

Kim, Y. H. (2019). On policy and planning elements of urban public space for the senior’s active living. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

7

Lee, H. J. (2022). A hybrid study on the value construction of senior cohousing customer based on active aging concept. Journal of Customer Satisfaction Management, 24(2), 39-63.

10.34183/KCSMA.24.2.3
8

Lee, J. H. (2022). ‘Active ageing’, a new measure of senior health. Bravo My Life, 92, 92-93.

9

Ministry of Health (MOH) (2023). Refreshed action plan for successful ageing 2023. Retrieved from https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/3/b1fd5713-8ff9-46d5-9911-0f233f2a8b31/refreshed-action-plan-for-successful-ageing-2023.pdf

10

Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) (2024). 2024 Status of elderly welfare facilities. Sejong, Korea: Author.

11

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) (2022. 12. 8.). Barrier-free senior welfare housing to be built in Incheon Gyeyang, Gyeonggi Gwangju, Namyangju, Pyeongchang, Sunchang, and Hadong. Sejong, Korea: Author.

12

Straits Times (2024. 9. 25.). Cutting-edge technology and seniors to run active ageing centre in Bedok. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cutting-edge-technology-and-seniors-to-run-active-ageing-centre-in-bedok

13

THK Moral Charities (THKMC) (2024). Media release: Launch of refreshed THK AAC Bedok and Bedok Sanctuary. Retrieved from https://www.thkmc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Media-Release-Launch-of-Refreshed-THK-AAC-Bedok-and-Bedok-Sanctuary-Final.pdf

14

World Health Organization (WHO) (2002). Active ageing: A policy framework. Geneva, Switzerland: Author.

Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Housing Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국주거학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Housing Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국주거학회논문집
  • Volume : 37
  • No :5
  • Pages :011-021
  • Received Date : 2026-07-02
  • Revised Date : 2026-08-26
  • Accepted Date : 2026-09-01
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.6107/JKHA.2026.37.5.011
Journal Informaiton Journal of the Korean Housing Association Journal of the Korean Housing Association
Archives
: the Korean Housing Association
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close