The Neighborhoods for Generations competition aimed to address demographic challenges innovatively. What do you see as the key design and policy principles that will ensure intergenerational living is both sustainable and scalable across diverse neighbourhoods?

Sustainable intergenerational living relies on designs and policies that foster flexibility, inclusivity and connection. Housing typologies need to adapt to the changing needs of individuals throughout their lives, while shared spaces should encourage social interaction across all age groups. The integration of robust social infrastructure, such as community hubs and accessible public spaces, helps build connections among residents. Equally important is a governance structure that emphasises resident participation and long-term collaboration, ensuring that local voices shape the community's evolution. A holistic approach, which combines physical, social and service-oriented dimensions is essential to meet the needs of diverse neighbourhoods and ensure scalability and resilience.

These principles were exemplified by our competition winners in distinctive ways. The Norwegian team behind Nursing The Care—consisting of LOCAL Arkitekter, psychologist Anna Helle-Valle and Sebastian von Hofacker of Verdighetsenteret—approached intergenerational living through a powerful underlying philosophy: by taking care of the people who take care of us, we can create a positive cycle that includes older individuals across multiple generations. Their project directly addresses pressing challenges faced across many countries—increasing shortages of care personnel, record high housing costs for nurses and the financial burden of nursing homes on municipalities. While modern healthcare services have contributed to longer lifespans, Nursing The Care recognises that many elderly still experience isolation, loneliness and cognitive decline. Their design solution seamlessly weaves healthcare integration into housing, emphasising dignity in care while creating spaces that naturally encourage interaction between residents of all ages. The project embodies their belief that overburdened welfare systems need compassionate communities to thrive.

Thinking Outside The B(l)ox by Hele Landet – Sociale Arkitekter, in collaboration with urban farming initiative ØsterGro and Andreas Høegh from AH Advice, takes a fundamentally different yet complementary approach through match-making and binding partnerships. At its core, the project operates on a simple but profound principle: "It is all about giving people the desire to meet." Their innovative pilot called Urban Farming Restaurant transforms traditional housing association spaces—rooftops, outdoor areas and common facilities—into vibrant agricultural zones that double as community hubs. What makes this model particularly effective is its binding partnership structure, where commercial urban farming enterprises can operate within housing association areas while actively engaging residents through employment opportunities, free communal dining experiences, event facilities and access to healthy, organic produce. This approach to "farming for generations" creates natural, purposeful interactions across age groups, addressing both social cohesion and practical needs for sustainable local food systems.

With growing older populations and declining birth rates, what specific changes do you believe the housing market must adopt to better accommodate these demographic realities? How can intergenerational living help bridge these gaps?

The housing market must adapt to accommodate shifting demographics by prioritising affordable, flexible and adaptable housing models. Smaller, more flexible units combined with shared communal facilities can address the needs of both ageing populations and younger generations. Intergenerational living plays a pivotal role in bridging demographic divides by creating spaces where people of all ages can coexist and support one another. By encouraging the exchange of skills, resources and care, intergenerational housing can reduce isolation, improve community resilience, and foster economic and social inclusion.

The #ABC-Strategy developed by Gründl Haahr Arkitekter featured flexible housing typologies for implementing these changes. Their methodology provides a practical roadmap for communities transitioning toward more flexible housing models while ensuring affordability remains central to development plans. By categorising interventions across physical, social and economic dimensions, the strategy has demonstrated measurable impacts on community cohesion in pilot neighbourhoods.

Landsbyggefonden is a key player in Denmark’s efforts to provide affordable, sustainable and quality housing for its citizens, emphasising the importance of long-term collaboration and holistic approaches to create future-proof solutions for all people. How do you integrate these principles into Landsbyggefonden’s projects, ensuring they address local conditions while fostering partnerships with key stakeholders to deliver inclusive and sustainable urban development?

Landsbyggefonden incorporates long-term collaboration and holistic planning by engaging local stakeholders and experts throughout the development process. Each project is tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of its context, such as Axelborg’s efforts to strengthen connections with the surrounding city or Høje Gladsaxe’s aim to create a vibrant, inclusive community. By combining physical renovations with social initiatives, Landsbyggefonden ensures that its developments address both current needs and future adaptability. Partnerships with municipalities, housing organisations and NGOs further enable inclusive and sustainable urban solutions.

Given the importance of government, developers and planners in collaborating on urban strategy, what approach would you recommend to prioritise intergenerational housing at both local and national levels?

To prioritise intergenerational housing, collaboration between government entities, developers and planners is crucial. At the local level, pilot projects can demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of such housing models. At the national level, policies and funding should support these initiatives, while public campaigns and knowledge-sharing platforms can inspire broader adoption. The key lies in creating integrated solutions that balance affordability, inclusivity and quality of life for all generations.

As neighbourhoods evolve to meet intergenerational needs, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges in ensuring these communities remain inclusive and adaptable over time?

Evolving neighbourhoods offer significant opportunities to enhance social cohesion and reduce loneliness, especially through shared resources and spaces that bring people together. However, challenges remain, including overcoming stereotypes about intergenerational living, ensuring financial sustainability and maintaining adaptability over time. Balancing these demands requires ongoing dialogue among stakeholders, innovative policy solutions, and a willingness to embrace new ways of living together.

Given that the Neighborhoods for Generations competition will not be repeated for now, and considering last year’s Bystrategisk Udsyn conference theme was an urgent call to action around how we should live together across generations, what do you envision for Landsbyggefonden's role in continuing to push this agenda in the future? How can the institution maintain momentum in promoting these critical conversations and policies across municipalities and stakeholders?

Although the Neighborhoods for Generations competition is not being repeated, Landsbyggefonden remains committed to advancing its principles. The institution can continue to drive this agenda by showcasing successful projects, facilitating dialogue through events and conferences, and supporting municipalities in implementing intergenerational strategies. By acting as a bridge between research, practice and policy, Landsbyggefonden ensures that intergenerational living remains a focus in creating sustainable, inclusive neighbourhoods across Denmark. The foundation's role as a knowledge-sharing and capacity-building entity will be pivotal in maintaining momentum and fostering innovative urban development practices.