Inclusive Cities: A Future for All Ages

DEI

As the world’s population ages, the concept of age-friendly cities and communities is becoming increasingly important. By 2050, it is projected that 16% of the global population will be over 60 years old, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries. The pace of population ageing varies by country, with urban areas seeing a rise in older populations. This demographic shift necessitates a rethinking of our cities and communities to ensure they are inclusive, accessible, and conducive to the health and well-being of older citizens.

This April, the United Nations published a new guide for National Programmes for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. This guide provides a clear framework for national governments to improve the health and well-being of their aging populations. It emphasises the importance of creating environments that promote health throughout the life-course and enable people who lose intrinsic capacity to continue to do the things they value.

Creating age-friendly environments is a critical step in meeting the aspiration of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing to improve the lives of older people, their families, and communities by improving the environments in which they live. Age-friendly cities and communities are designed to meet the needs of the wide diversity of older people, promote their health, autonomy, inclusion, and contributions in all areas of community life, respect their decisions and lifestyle choices, and anticipate and respond flexibly to ageing-related needs and preferences.

Several cities across Europe are already leading the way in becoming age-friendly, implementing strategies that not only improve the lives of their elderly citizens but also contribute to the overall sustainability and inclusivity of their communities.

In Gothenburg, Sweden, a social programme called “Never Alone in Gothenburg” has been launched to combat isolation and loneliness among seniors. This initiative offers workshops, lectures, and other activities for about 350 senior residents. The programme is designed to create a sense of community among the elderly, providing them with opportunities for social interaction and engagement, thereby enhancing their quality of life and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Stuttgart, Germany, has initiated a project to encourage physical activity among the elderly. Recognizing the importance of physical activity in maintaining health and well-being in old age, the city offers guided neighbourhood walks to all elderly residents. The aim is not only to strengthen their immune system but also to promote social interaction, thereby fostering a sense of community and belonging among the elderly population.

In Barakaldo, Spain, the city has started a free service aimed at preventing fires and detecting social needs in the homes of people aged over 80 who live alone. This initiative includes the supply and installation of fire detectors and an assessment of the social needs of the beneficiaries. By addressing both the physical safety and social needs of the elderly, the city is taking a holistic approach to improving the lives of its older citizens.

Frankfurt, Germany, has launched an inclusive housing project in cooperation with property development company KEG. This initiative provides housing for people who face additional obstacles, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with low income. By ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their age or physical abilities, have access to safe and affordable housing, Frankfurt is taking a significant step towards becoming a truly age-friendly city.

These initiatives demonstrate how European cities are taking proactive steps to become more age-friendly. They are creating environments where older people can lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives, contributing to the overall sustainability and inclusivity of their communities.

As the global population continues to age, the importance of age-friendly cities will only continue to grow. It is crucial that other cities around the world look to these examples as they strive to become more age-friendly and work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable DevelopmentGoals. The hope for the future is that people will transform themselves by transforming the environments in which they live, work, play, and age through the exercise of collective power and a common vision of making their cities and communities good places in which to grow older, for this and future generations.

The UN guide for National Programmes for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities provides a roadmap for this transformation. It outlines a framework for national governments to improve the health and well-being of their ageing populations, including elements such as partnerships, leadership, resources, capacity-building, knowledge, research, innovation, and monitoring and evaluation. The guide emphasises the importance of meaningful engagement of older people at every step, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.

The development of age-friendly cities and communities is not just about improving the lives of the elderly. It’s about creating inclusive, sustainable communities that benefit everyone. Age-friendly cities are better able to respond to changing contexts and to continue to meet the needs of all their citizens, including older people, their families, and communities, such as in humanitarian crises and emergencies, when older people are often marginalised.

As the world’s population continues to age, working on becoming an age-friendly community will become increasingly important. The initiatives taken by European cities demonstrate that it is possible to create cities that are not only age-friendly but also sustainable and inclusive. They can serve as a model for others, showing that with the right policies and initiatives, it is possible to create communities that promote the health, well-being, and inclusion of all citizens, regardless of their age.

(Photo credit: macrovector / Freepik)