Land use planning for conservation and utilization of elderly human resources in Lubbock, Texas: a strategy for sustainable community development

Abstract

Older people face a prolonged period in life in which they are relatively healthy and vigorous but lack a recognized role in the economic and social life of the society. The period of retirement may last as long as twenty or thirty years, which in some cases may be as long as a working career. Older people should have a choice of how to use their time, in withdrawal from participation, or actively participating as productive aging citizens. Individuals, families, and the community could all benefit from human resource development of the elderly.

The argument of this study is that a theoretical approach is needed in land use planning to provide opportunities for elderly human resource development. This study is philosophical in nature, and describes and demonstrates the use of an integrated systems conceptual model for land use planning for human resource development of the elderly population

Land use planning methods can be used to reduce spatial barriers and increase opportunities for productive elderly human resource development. Planning principles drawn from a synthesis of planning theory are integrated into a systems framework approach for analyzing urban systems in terms of the distribution of people, service-delivery activities, and spatial resources in the urban environment. A conceptual integrated human resource development systems model is proposed for assisting decision-makers in solving the problem-analysis of situational barrier phenomena affecting the elderly population in the urban environment.

The model is used to analyze impacts on the system, and alternative strategies for decision making in land use planning for the productive elderly population.

A systems method is used that combines general systems theory and a step-by-step planning process to construct the theoretical model. The model is used to analyze resource utilization where complex variables and interrelationships exist.

A demonstration of the model is described for Lubbock, Texas. Findings from an examination of the distribution of elderly people, activities, and spatial resources are discussed, along with potential opportunities for the elderly population in Lubbock. Planning guidelines are described for the formulation of a concept plan.

Demonstration conclusions are (1) that the integrated utilization model provides a conceptual guide for elderly human resource development, and (2) the combination of the systems approach and a planning process gives a broad view of the whole system.

The conclusion of this philosophical descriptive study is that the integrated human resource utilization model is a valuable tool for assisting in the analysis of complex spatial urban systems for alternative opportunities for land use planning and human resources utilization.