title: Towards global age-friendly cities: determining urban features that promote active aging.
abstract: At the same time as cities are growing, their share of older residents is increasing. To engage and assist cities to become more "age-friendly," the World Health Organization (WHO) prepared the Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide and a companion "Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities". In collaboration with partners in 35 cities from developed and developing countries, WHO determined the features of age-friendly cities in eight domains of urban life: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services. In 33 cities, partners conducted 158 focus groups with persons aged 60 years and older from lower- and middle-income areas of a locally defined geographic area (n = 1,485). Additional focus groups were held in most sites with caregivers of older persons (n = 250 caregivers) and with service providers from the public, voluntary, and commercial sectors (n = 515). No systematic differences in focus group themes were noted between cities in developed and developing countries, although the positive, age-friendly features were more numerous in cities in developed countries. Physical accessibility, service proximity, security, affordability, and inclusiveness were important characteristics everywhere. Based on the recurring issues, a set of core features of an age-friendly city was identified. The Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide and companion "Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities" released by WHO serve as reference for other communities to assess their age readiness and plan change.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Promotion, Division of Aging and Seniors, Public Health Agency of Canada, 200 Eglantine Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1A 1B4, Canada. louise.a.plouffe@phac-aspc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plouffe
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalache
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002947:Cities; D002958:City Planning / Q000379:methods; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012931:Social Environment; D012939:Social Planning; D014505:Urban Population; D014944:World Health Organization