E01Best Agers/Best Places

The project “Best Agers/Best Places: Successful Aging and Spatial Human Differentiation,“ examines a shift in the perception of older people: rather than being dismissed as a burden to society, older people are increasingly perceived as active “best agers.” Our project explores how distinct living environments are created and marketed for this financially independenttarget group. We analyze whether and how such spaces follow the imperative of “successful aging” and what role consumption and performance play in this context.

New Spaces for Aging
We examine three exemplary sites in the United States: “The Villages” in Florida, a gated community for older adults; retirement on cruise ships; and university-based retirement communities. We ask how these exclusive spaces function, who has access to them, and how they relate to common fears associated with aging, such as social isolation or dependency.

Community or Segregation?
Through interviews with residents and analysis of media coverage, we explore the lived realities of these places. The project highlights the tension between voluntary retreat among like-minded individuals and potential financial barriers to access them. It pays particular attention to how these spaces relate to other forms of differentiation, such as race and sexuality.