Developing Age-Friendly Urban Communities: Critical Issues for Public Policy

Developing what has been termed “age-friendly” cities and communities is now a significant theme in public policy (Fitzgerald & Caro, 2014; New York Academy of Medicine, 2008; Scharlach, 2012). This reflects, first, the complexity of demographic change, with the emergence of a wide spectrum of housing and community needs among those in the 50 plus age group; second, awareness of the importance of the physical and social environment as a factor influential in maintaining the quality of life of older people; third, the policy debate about what represents “good” or “optimal” places to age, as reflected in the work of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2007a, 2007b, p. 6) around “age-friendly” environments defined as encouraging: “…active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age.” Despite the importance attached to building age-friendly cities, the approach itself requires better understanding and elaboration at conceptual and operational levels. This article examines the origins of the age-friendly approach, reasons behind its apparent popularity, obstacles around implementation, and areas for development. These issues will be examined in the context of the relationship between population aging on the one side and urban change on the other. By 2030, two thirds of the world’s population will be residing in cities; by that time, the major urban areas of the developed world will have 25% or more of their population people aged 60 and over. Cities are regarded as central to economic development, attracting waves of migrants and supporting new knowledge-based industries (Burdett & Sudjic, 2008). However, the extent to which what has been termed the “new urban age” will produce “age-friendly” communities remains uncertain (Phillipson, 2010). Cities produce advantages for older people in respect of access to specialized medical services, provision of cultural and leisure facilities, and necessities for daily living. However, they are also seen as threatening environments, often creating insecurity and feelings of vulnerability arising from changes to neighborhoods and communities. What is the scope for developing age-friendly cities in response to these issues?