Ten questions concerning age-friendly cities and communities and the built environment. (15th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Hoof, J.; Marston, H.R.; Kazak, J.K.; Buffel, T.
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 199(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15
• Subjects: Older people -- Built environment -- Housing -- Age-friendly cities -- Smart cities -- WHO -- Review -- Technology; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: The development of 'age-friendly cities' has become a major area of work in the field of ageing and the built environment. This movement is driven by the observation that cities are home to an ever-increasing ageing population. Over the past decade, a multitude of age-friendly initiatives have been developed with the aim of making physical and social environments more favourable for older people's well-being, health and ability to live in the community. This article explores ten key questions associated with the age-friendly cities and communities' movement, with a particular focus on the built environment. It provides an overview of the history of the age-friendly cities' movement and the underlying models, the aspects of the built environment that are relevant for age-friendly cities, the ways age-friendliness can be evaluated, and the interactions between age-friendly cities initiatives and other strategic agendas such as smart cities. The paper concludes by discussing future perspectives and possible directions for further development of the age-friendly movement. Highlights: This article explores ten questions on age-friendly cities focusing on the built environment. The paper provides an overview of age-friendly assessment tools. On a global scale, an overhauled model of age-friendly cities is needed. A discussion of future perspectives of the age-friendly movement is provided. Overlooking the digitalisation of society has been a missed opportunity for age-friendliness.