Details of the proposal, released to lawmakers in a paper on Thursday, had gained support from land development advisers, and other relevant parties would be consulted in the next two months, according to the Development Bureau.
“Stakeholders generally share the need to create a more accessible and safe living environment to help elderly overcome the challenges that come with ageing, including mobility issues, cognitive decline and social isolation,” the bureau said.
The bureau added that many of them supported the incorporation of adaptable design principles into the living environment of the elderly, which could help promote independent living and reduce the need for costly renovations.
According to data projected by the Census and Statistics Department, elderly aged 65 or above in the total population was expected to increase from 20.8 per cent in mid-2022 to 25.3 per cent in 2028 and would reach 30.4 per cent in 2037.
Among the elderly, 39.3 per cent either lived alone or with a spouse who was also likely to be an elderly person.
The most striking incentive proposed by authorities was granting gross floor concessions to developers adding elderly-friendly equipment, facilities and resting areas, meaning those facilities could be added on top of the total permitted floor areas.
