Assessment of the capacity of active ageing policies in Türkiye to adapt to age-friendly cities

This study evaluates the alignment and historical development of active ageing policies in Türkiye within the framework of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities model. This qualitative study employs document analysis to examine the Specialised Commission Reports on ageing and active ageing prepared for the 10th, 11th and 12th Development Plans, as well as the National Action Plan on the Rights of Older Persons (2023–2025). These documents were analysed using WHO’s eight core domains, with a focus on policy characteristics, institutional responsibilities, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The findings reveal a paradigm shift from a paternalistic, service-oriented approach toward an autonomous, rights- and technology-driven framework. Although substantial strategic progress is evident in healthcare and social policy, its integration with spatial planning and urban design remains limited, leaving transformation in physical domains (transportation and outdoor spaces) largely confined to policy discourse. While strategic vision has become progressively aligned with implementation instruments, the absence of binding local standards and impact-based monitoring remains a fundamental challenge. These limitations can be associated with Türkiye’s post-2011 institutional transformation and the evolving dynamics of its macro-planning functions. This administrative context has strengthened central institutional capacity while creating new coordination challenges for urban implementation and the operational flexibility of local authorities. Consequently, achieving genuinely age-friendly cities requires a holistic governance model that strengthens cross-sectoral coordination, supports local implementation through common standards, and is underpinned by impact-oriented monitoring.