Envisioning an Ideal Age-Friendly City

“What would an age-friendly city look like?”, a recent article released by the Guardian outlines three key areas where “age-friendliness” should be considered in urban development and city planning.

Firstly, homes should be built with older people in mind. Architects in Copenhagen have set a leading example through the creation of bright, clean, functional, modern, age-friendly housing that avoids stigmatization by creating an environment that makes it clear older people are valued. Connect with IFA expert Mr. Rodd Bond, an architect who now manages Louth’s Age-Friendly County initiative for more information on the importance of age-friendly housing design.

Secondly, the article outlines that cities should enable older people to “get out and about” which can be accomplished through consideration for older people when planning transport, outdoor spaces, and public buildings.

Thirdly, city planners should focus on methods that enable older people to continue participating in that which they value. Hong Kong has shown a successful example of how this may look, through the Hong Kong Elder Friendly Employment Practice, which assists older people in continuing their career and finding flexible employment after retirement. Contact IFA expert Dr. Ruth Finkelstein, who directs the “Age Smart Employer Awards Program” for more information on age-friendly employment.

Age-friendly cities are of utmost importance to healthy ageing and allow older people to continue to do what they value in life.  Increasing amounts of research and projects are being produced on this subject matter.  The International Federation on Ageing releases an Age-Friendly Innovation Exchange (AFIX) newsletter every month to share new age-friendly research and projects.

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