In the face of accelerating demographic transitions—particularly in regions shaped by policies like the one-child policy—urban environments must reconceive their spatial, ecological, and social infrastructures to accommodate aging populations and shrinking generational cohorts. This research proposes the development of Slow Metabolic Health Communities as a new urban paradigm—one that reimagines the built environment, as well as building technologies, as a responsive, living system. Drawing from principles of modularity, biophilic design, and ecological sustainability, the project treats architecture not as static form but as metabolically adaptable structure—capable of evolving alongside its inhabitants over time. By integrating Transit-Oriented Development between dense urban nodes and peripheral aging landscapes, the proposal creates connective tissue that supports both care networks and environmental resilience. These communities offer more than accommodation; they articulate a vision for longevity, continuity, and urban vitality—where health, ecology, and adaptability are central to rethinking how cities age.
Built-to-Care: A New Urban Model for Aging Populations
