Intergenerational symbiotic residential patterns for healthy ageing: Global experiences and China’s path

Abstract Background: Healthy ageing represents a cost-effective approach to managing population ageing, with residential patterns playing a critical role in shaping older adults’ functional capacity and overall health outcomes. In countries that experienced population ageing earlier, various intergenerational symbiotic residential patterns (ISRPs) have emerged, grounded in the principle of intergenerational solidarity. Methods: This study employs comparative analysis and case studies, applying the SLC (Space, Lifestyle, Culture) analytical framework to examine international practices of ISRPs in the context of healthy ageing. Results: ISRPs integrate space, lifestyle, and culture to support older adults’ autonomy, social engagement, and well-being, offering a model for healthy ageing. However, in China, ISRPs remain in the exploratory stage and face challenges including inconsistent conceptual integration, undefined implementation strategies, inaccessible site selection and planning processes, and insufficient policy support. Conclusions: Renewing the developmental vision of intergenerational co-residence requires deepening the integration of material conditions and spiritual values, strengthening top-level policy design, and fostering a multi-actor collaborative governance ecosystem. Concurrently, sustainable operational mechanisms must be developed to ensure replicability and scalability. These efforts will facilitate the organic integration of ISRPs development with the implementation of the healthy ageing strategy.