CIOB considers demands of ageing population

New legislation is increasing the pressure on construction to change its approaches to building for the elderly. By 2011 all public sector-funded housing will have to be built to the government’s Lifetime Home Standards. To become mandatory under the Code for Sustainable Homes, these will require design measures such as sloping approaches to property, wide doorways, and bathrooms at entrance level.

There are also plans to develop ‘age friendly’ towns and cities with improved paving and kerbs, better street lighting and access to toilets and other amenities.

The CIOB wants to know how this increased focus on inclusive living is affecting its members and whether they think this is effective and necessary. The survey also aims to assess how the industry is responding to the new design standards and find out which firms are already incorporating the new criteria.