One - Introduction

Summary

The main purpose of this volume is to provide an assessment of the potential for developing environments responsive to the aspirations and needs of older people. Bringing together theories and empirical research, the book examines experiences of ageing in contrasting urban settings, drawing together a range of multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives. It provides a critical appraisal of what has been termed the development of ‘age-friendly cities and communities’, by exploring such policies in the context of urban change arising from globalisation, urban regeneration and austerity. Building on a range of international perspectives, the book develops new ways of approaching the issue of ageing and urbanisation. Crucially, it identifies age-friendly strategies designed to improve the lives of older people and ways in which older people themselves can be involved in the co-production of age-friendly policies and practices.

The discussion of how environmental complexity influences ageing is essential for all those involved in building and managing ‘age-friendly’ communities. The book is especially relevant to scholars in the field of social gerontology, social policy, housing, public health, urban studies, sociology and geography. It should also appeal to policymakers, urban planners, international organisations, service providers, practitioners and older people interested in improving the quality of life in cities. The volume was conceived as an attempt to draw together a fresh assessment of findings on the creation of age-friendly communities, drawing on insights from research, policy and (design) practice. It aims to stimulate discussion and consideration of new areas for theoretical and empirical development, and to raise aspirations of what is now a worldwide ‘age-friendly’ movement.

Background

Developing what has been termed ‘age-friendly cities and communities’ (AFCC) has become an important area of work in the field of public policy and ageing (WHO, 2015). This reflects, first, the complexity of demographic change, with the emergence of a wide spectrum of needs among different cohorts in the 50-plus age group; second, awareness of the importance of the physical and social environment in maintaining the quality of life of older people; and third, emphasis on community care and neighbourhood support as primary goals of health and social care.