ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with a particular type of infrastructure that is less well studied in relation to age-friendly communities, namely the role played by “social infrastructure” or the places and organisations that facilitate social interactions and connections. Social infrastructure will be shown to be highly significant in improving the quality of life of older people, especially critical in improving the experience of ageing in place. The chapter considers the importance of different types of social infrastructure, from public libraries and community centres, to transport and green spaces. The chapter also examines the meaning and value of social infrastructure for sustaining social and civic life; the role of different types of social infrastructure in supporting the experience of ageing in place; and the potential of social infrastructure to include as well as exclude particular groups of older people.
