Abstract
As ageing populations put pressure on care systems, there is growing recognition of informal networks and their role in supporting older adults. This paper repositions belonging as a powerful affective force within these networks, arguing that belonging transcends interiorised feelings to become a driver of social connectivity in everyday spaces. Drawing from mixed method research involving 30 older adults in Singapore, this study focuses on the role of spatial atmospheres in fostering connections in ‘third places’ such as eateries, parks, and places of worship. These third places act as important caring sites for older adults, providing environments that facilitate bonding and bridging across different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The paper introduces a framework for understanding belonging as spatially mediated, illustrating how these everyday spaces alleviate feelings of isolation elsewhere. By mapping the socio-spatial interactions of older adults across commercial, green, and spiritual spaces, I show how spatial configurations encourage co-presence to develop into meaningful relationships. The findings suggest that the affective qualities of belonging in these spaces flatten power geometries between users, catalysing connections among individuals who might otherwise remain unfamiliar due to a lack of homophily. The ‘glue-making force’ of belonging expands one’s capacity for encounter, empowering users to initiate interactions with perceived ‘others’ across social divides. Ultimately, this study contributes to the discourse on geographies of care and affect, emphasising how belonging is in part constituted by spatial configurations and atmospheres, and its capacity to move bodies and mediate social relations.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Emotions, Affect, Care Geographies, Ageing, Third Places, Social Networks
