From Social Policy to Urban Thinking: A Community Resilience Framework for Active Ageing in Malaysia

Abstract

Population ageing presents increasing challenges for urban communities, particularly in
translating social policy commitments into everyday urban practices. In Malaysia, active
ageing is formally recognised within national social policy frameworks; however, its
integration into urban and community based contexts remains limited and conceptually
fragmented. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a conceptual framework that bridges
social policy and urban thinking through the perspective of community resilience. Drawing on
interdisciplinary literature from social policy, urban studies, and community development, the
paper critiques policy centred approaches that overlook the spatial, social, and institutional
realities of urban communities. It argues that community resilience provides a useful analytical
lens to understand how urban environments, local institutions, and social networks collectively
support active ageing beyond formal welfare provision. The proposed framework
conceptualises active ageing as an interaction between older persons, community spaces,
governance structures, and the built environment, highlighting the importance of place based
and community driven approaches for inclusive urban policy development.