China’s population is ageing rapidly. Many communities, therefore, are facing the challenge of adapting themselves to this demographic trend. This case is derived from Toyoshiki Community in the city of Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It presents an exemplar of sustainable community redevelopment in the context of population ageing.

The ageing rate of Toyoshiki Community is much higher than Japan’s national average. To address its pressing issue of population ageing, the community has redeveloped itself with three methods. The first pertains to community facility provision. On the one hand, it has provided senior living residences and introduced elderly care organizations, thus making it more convenient for seniors to live in the community. On the other hand, it has attracted young families to move in not only by developing modern high-rise buildings with units meeting their needs, but also by expanding childcare facilities. The second method relates to space reconfiguration to meet the needs of elderly residents. For example, parking lots have been relocated mainly on the outskirts of the community. In so doing, central areas of the community are for pedestrians only, thus ensuring a quiet and safe environment particularly for seniors. The third method pertains to man-made environment. A park and a trail have been built in the community. They have not just attracted many elderly residents to enjoy outdoor activities, but also provided public space for all residents to enjoy social interactions with one another.

Three lessons about communities’ adaptation to population ageing through redevelopment can be learned from this case. First, effective redevelopment requires collaborations among multiple players. In this case, residents have contributed their ideas about their community’s redevelopment. Kashiwa municipal government has provided policy support. The developer has implemented the redevelopment plan. Tokyo University has supported the redevelopment process with theoretical insights and empirical evidence. Second, achieving the goal of “aging in place” lies in redeveloping the community into one that is accessible to seniors both physically and mentally. For one thing, the redeveloped community needs to provide accessible facilities so that its elderly residents can receive medical services and care inside the place of their residence. For another, the redeveloped community needs to become a space in which its senior residents can enjoy mental wellness. Third, demographic structure can be rebalanced through community redevelopment. In this case, the redeveloped Toyoshiki Community has done more than meeting the needs of the older generation. It has also become a community in which the younger generation has moved in and enjoyed their life.