“Tourism is our rice field in Kuta”: The ambivalent experiences of ageing in place in the tourist city

Abstract

Popular internationally, ageing in place policies aim to support older adults in remaining in their homes and communities. However, the realisation of ageing in place is often undermined by unsympathetic environments, especially in cities undergoing rapid population change and urban regeneration. In places like Bali, Indonesia, where population ageing occurs alongside fast-paced tourism development, these tensions are especially pronounced. While tourism development generates economic benefits and modernises infrastructure, yet it also transforms urban areas and public spaces, changing patterns of social engagement and sense of belonging among older adults. Using in-depth and walk-along interviews, this study captures the lived experiences of older residents in Bali. Focusing on the Sarbagita Metropolitan Area, where urban development is heavily shaped by tourism, we examine how touristification influences ageing in place. While much of the literature highlights the negative consequences of touristification, our findings reveal a more ambivalent picture. Experience of place-making within tourist cities entails both opportunities and constraints for older residents. The creation of public spaces – originally intended to attract visitors – has simultaneously supported healthy ageing by providing spaces for social interaction and even small-scale economic participation. At the same time, many older adults encounter barriers such as congestion, long distances, and crowdedness which are typical of touristified cities. Some participants found these challenges intriguing but also overwhelming, forcing them to continually negotiate their place-making practices and decide whether to adapt or withdraw. This study shows how place-making, infrastructure development, and touristification interact to shape the dynamics of older adults’ ability to age in place.