Older Adults’ Social Lives in In-Between Space in High-Rise, High-Density Housing Estates: An Epistemic Network Analysis

Neighbourhood impacts on older adults’ social isolation and loneliness are gaining global concern. High-rise, high-density housing environments can both support and constrain social lives, yet their role in shaping different forms of social ties remains unclear. Guided by Person-Environment Fit (P-E Fit) theory, this study examines how neighbourhood in-between spaces shape older adults’ social ties in a Hong Kong housing estate through semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews and Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA). The findings show that strong and invisible ties are more often associated with sheltered, formal social settings, while weak ties are more likely to emerge in informal social settings. Physical comfort, natural elements, and organised activities deepen social engagement, whereas pest infestation, inadequate age-friendly facilities, and reduced community programmes post-pandemic hinder interaction. These findings offer a contextualised extension of P-E Fit theory and contribute to emerging debates on population ageing and housing design in dense East Asian cities.