A survey recently conducted by The Urban Development Institute of South Australia has revealed 64.5% of respondents support more multi-storey residential buildings in Adelaide, as high-density dwellings enable housing affordability, and a low-maintenance lifestyle for downsizers.

The Urban Development Institute of South Australia chief executive Pat Gerace said he is “not surprised” with survey results, as they redefine the notion that older South Australians are opposed to taller buildings. Overall, an astonishing 53.6% of respondents aged over 65 support higher limits for residential communities.

Of those respondents in support of higher density development, 51.3% wanted it restricted to main roads. Interestingly, the results also showed men were more supportive of high-rise development (71.8%) than women (58.6%).

Mr Gerace said a majority of the community are looking to downsize, particularly those nearing or in retirement.

“There are large groups of people who maybe not working as much as they used to be, or are retired, they are wanting to travel more and therefore want to get into more appropriate accommodation — there’s a demand for low maintenance,” he said.

Mr Gerace also tips housing affordability, combined with a desire for people to live close to where they grew up or are already living, as the keys to “substantial change” in the way Adelaide’s landscape develops.