title: Developing age-friendly cities and communities in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to present case studies and assess the impact of political, policy, consultative, and research processes used to implement Age Friendly Cities (AFC) initiatives in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review and interpretation was conducted based on public documents, community consultations, survey analyses, and participant observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Governments in Australia have drawn on World Health Organization (WHO) concepts to establish AFC initiatives. In Melbourne, state political leadership established Positive Ageing plans that have reinforced local government actions. In Canberra, a baseline survey and an Older Persons Assembly were followed by modest positive ageing plans. In Sydney, a State Ageing Strategy developed a whole-of-government plan that has yet to be incorporated into budget processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFC initiatives in Australia have had promising and varied starts with some aims to benefit disadvantaged older people. Notwithstanding the potential benefits, AFC influence on mainstream actions of government has been limited by uncertain political commitment and growing fiscal austerity.
authors.affiliation: The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) hal.kendig@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kendig
authors.affiliation: New South Wales Government, Ashfield, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: ACT Government, Canberra, Australia University of the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matwijiw
authors.affiliation: The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR).
authors.forename: Kaarin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anstey
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002958:City Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy
keywords: Canberra; Melbourne; Sydney; WHO; age friendly