Dr Jiaxuan (Jason) E
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a PhD in Building Construction Management and Project Planning. My research examines how the built environment shapes age-friendly neighbourhoods, Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), ageing in place, housing choices and older adults' health and wellbeing. I combine GIS-based spatial analysis, Bayesian Network modelling, System Dynamics, statistical analysis, mixed-methods research and policy analysis to translate complex built-environment evidence into practical planning and housing recommendations. I also bring extensive industry experience in construction project management, infrastructure delivery, cost control, risk management and cross-functional coordination.
Project Topic
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities: Our Future for Ageing in place?
Project research Summary
More than 90% of older Australians wish to age in place for as long as possible. However, our current community environments do not make it easy for older people as they are mainly planned, designed, and managed for young families. The project aims to understand how Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), a new
option for ageing in place favored by an increasing number of older Australians, influence their independent living and well-being. This project will generate new knowledge about the origin, evolution, and dynamic behavior of NORCs in Australia, and develop government policies to support the future growth of NORCs, leading to an improved quality of life for older Australians.
This project addresses a pressing societal issue of how to support older Australians’ desire for ageing-in-place. By understanding the origin, development, and future growth of Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), an emerging option favored by an increasing number of older Australians to support their ageing-in-place,
this project will provide solutions to the looming crisis of how to house and care for older Australians. Based on innovative and integrated research of spatial analysis, focus groups, workshops, and system dynamics modeling, evidence-based policy recommendations will be provided to enable policymakers to support the cost-effective delivery of NORCs in Australia, which will lead to a reduced residential aged care cost to the whole society and improved quality of life of older Australians.