Posted: March 6th, 2022

Global Age-friendly Cities: Review paper

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Global Age-friendly Cities: Review paper\
Introduction
The age-friendly city is a framework developed by the world health organization, which caters for people’s health, well-being, and security as they age (Torku, et, al., page 1-38). The framework, however, promotes the quality of life, as well as provision of resources among older persons as well as considering lifestyle choices of the people as they age. Furthermore, the worlds health organization developed the framework to cater for the vulnerable and how people can be included in community activities. The paper explores the global age-friendly cities according to the aging and life course, family, and community health guide developed by the world health organization (Buffel, page 1-11).
Urbanization and population growth are two global trends that have increased over the years, especially in the twenty-first century. According to t the research, the cities are growing vastly, where the aged are increasing more than young people, due to advancement in technology, such as family planning, and high cost of living (Torku, et, al., page 1-38). According to the world health organization, the aged population is shaped by some factors; hence the cities should be more aged-friendly to increase the quality and life span of the aging population (Buffel, Tine, et,al.,277-296). The paper provides the need for age-friendly cities, especially in providing resources and an environment fit for the aged persons. According to research from the world health organization, by 2025, the number of the aged in the community will increase by twenty-two percent by 2050 (Torku, et, al., page 1-38). Thus, the number of older people will be much more significant than that of children.
Despite the increasing number of the aged , the number of the aged living in cities has also increased, wherein developed countries, the number of the aged is almost similar with that of the young people by eighty percent, while in developing countries, the number of the aged in Urban areas is increasing tremendously, wherein 2025, one-fourth of the aged will cover the overall population (Buffel, page 1-11). The relationship between population growth and urbanization is very close, where population growth is associated with economic growth and technology advancement. Most people, including the aged, prefer living in cities due to the high rate of urbanization, especially considering that the towns are a center for political, social, and economic activities. Due to the developments and changes in the cities, the aged population requires an age-friendly environment that would cater to their needs, especially the social and physical changes associated with an aging population (Buffel, Tine, et,al.,277-296). Therefore, developing age-friendly cities is the best decision in keeping the cities thriving and catering to the well-being and health of the aged through the features below.
Outdoor spaces and buildings: Open spaces and outside environment of a reasonable consideration, and an essential feature for the age-friendly city, that Help in promoting mobility and improving the quality of life. The location of the buildings should be in a safe place where the aged can easily access and feel safe (Buffel, Tine, et,al.,277-296). Despite the polluted air in cities, a pleasant and clean environment is all the population would need, especially a place that is far from the noise and polluted air from vehicles and industries (Buffel, page 1-11). Most aged people prefer living near an ocean, or a water body for clean air, for instance in Rio de Janeiro. The open spaces and external environment are best fitted with green spaces, adequately maintained, and hazards removed from the spaces. The green spaces in the cities, such as public spaces, should be high, and frequently maintained, and eco-friendly pavement developed (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437).
The age-friendly pavements Help in promoting safe mobility, which Helps in managing their bodies and containing energy, that reduced the risk of diseases. Other consideration includes the development of safe pedestrian crossings, a secure environment, and promotion of accessibility, age-friendly buildings, walkways, cycle paths, and availability and accessibility of toilets for the aged. In addition, the aged-friendly building should be fitted with escalators, elevators, and non-slip floors (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437).
Transport: Transport is a critical feature in the aged-friendly city that covers the needs and requirements of the aged population (Buffel, page 1-11). The transport for the aged should be affordable, reliable, frequent, and with specialized services. For instance, the public transport system in the cities should be affordable to every older person, consistent, and well-displayed. Additionally, the transport system should be available and reliable even at night for older people, especially in emergencies. The fact that older people delay, and may not get to places on time, due to their slow movement. Older people require a transport system that can Help in accessing health systems, public parks, shopping centers, and financial institutions.
On the other hand, transport routes and routes should be well connected and easier to connect for the elderly to avoid long routes and more time (van Hoof, page 107922). The vehicles used should be age-friendly in the cities with specialized services, such as people living with disabilities or the sick. The age-friendly vehicles are well-maintained, have wider seats, low entry steps, have vehicle number for easy spotting, and clean to avoid contracting the disease, especially respiratory diseases (van Hoof, page 107922). The system should be in a station with non-crowded persons, and the vehicles should not be overcrowded. The drivers also should be courteous and able to understand the older people, especially in what they need, and their nature of emphasizing details (Buffel, page 1-11).
The transport stops and stations should be easier to access and parking, which should be affordable and spacious for the older people to avoid the stress and hustles of looking for packing (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437). Transport is not only concerned with public transport but also taxis, ad community transport. Olde people require an environment that caters to well-being, including maintaining and developing the transport system.
Housing: Housing is the most essential and significant priority for catering to the aged in a busy and congested city. However, the houses are expected to be affordable for the aged, safe, well located, and one that caters to the needs of the aged, such as accessibility. Houses should be affordable to Help the aged in a better house and place appropriate for their needs. Design, maintenance, modification of the current present houses, essential housing services, community integration, and the overall living environment (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437). The age-friendly cities house have several affordable houses and housing, a priority that the aged can choose from, including the disabled people in the community. However, the living environment should not be overcrowded, security should be a priority, and the elderly should receive financial Helpance when in need. On the other hand, the housing should not be located in prone areas and easily prone to natural disasters, such as floods and drought (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437).
Social participatory: The elderly need a social environment to relate with others and intermingle, especially with the young population, which has been proven to increase their life span. Social interaction and participation are vital in addressing isolation and boredom (Fulmer, Terry, page 1936-1940). For instance, the cities should develop affordable events for the older people to join, activities such as sports, and recreational activities that encourage participation, for instance, community social participation (van Hoof, page 107922). The high range of events and activities with the interest of the elderly at heart are very beneficial in boosting health and fostering community integration. On the other hand, social inclusion and respect are closely related to social participation, where the older people should be respected and included in most social activities without discrimination (Fulmer, Terry, page 1936-1940). Older people should participate in civic, social, cultural, and economic activities in the community.
On the other hand, the elderly should be included in public education forums, such as the secondary and the primary curriculum, to provide a wide range of opportunities for the aged (van Hoof, page 107922). On the other hand, integration and inter-generational family participation play an important role in mutual enjoyment and involvement in events of all ages to promote social participation and interaction with people of different age groups (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437). Furthermore, better employment options, and promotion of communication, such as distribution of community-wide media, provision of the correct information at the right time, and use of age-friendly gadgets, and communication designs and format Help in promoting the connection between the older people, especially with their family members living far (Fulmer, Terry, page 1936-1940). Apart from good communication, the older people are provided with good health care services and a system that is more accessible and offers service based on the needs of the population. For instance, home-care visits, restoration health services, personal care, housekeepers, and social services. In addition, the local government can offer voluntary health services, especially during emergencies, care, and when critical information is required.
Conclusion
Active aging in an age-friendly city is the best framework developed by the world health organization that promotes equality and diversification of service to the elderly, which makes life comfortable and more manageable, despite the high growth of the population (van Hoof, Joost, page 417-437). According to the world health organization, active aging is determined by personal determinants, health and social services, economic determinants, social determinants, and physical environment, based on the type of gender and culture. Furthermore, concerned with other stages of life, such as early life and adult life, older people require rehabilitation, services, and an environment that prevents disability and promote quality of life (Fulmer, Terry, page 1936-1940). Therefore, the aging-friendly cities should consist of several factors that promote well-being and quality of life. For instance, the presence of good communication, information systems, housing, social participation, transportation services, outdoor spaces and buildings, health services, community services, civic participation, and employment. The features Help in improving the quality of life, making the elderly comfortable, and increasing the population’s life span, hence maintaining and enhancing growth and continuity of life among in the cities.

Work Cited
Buckner, Stefanie, et al. “Developing age-friendly cities: an evidence-based Assessment tool.” Journal of Population Ageing 12.2 (2019): 203-223.
Buffel, Tine, Chris Phillipson, and Samuèle Rémillard-Boilard. “Age-friendly cities and communities: New directions for research and policy.” Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging; Gu, D., Dupre, ME, Eds (2019): 1-11.
Buffel, Tine, et al. “Developing age-friendly cities: Case studies from Brussels and Manchester and implications for policy and practice.” Environmental Gerontology in Europe and Latin America. Springer, Cham, 2016. 277-296.
Fulmer, Terry, et al. “Moving Toward a Global Age‐Friendly Ecosystem.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 68.9 (2020): 1936-1940.
McCrillis, Elizabeth, Mark W. Skinner, and Amber Colibaba. “Developing rural insights for building age-friendly communities.” Journal of Rural Studies 81 (2021): 336-344.
Torku, Alex, Albert Ping Chuen Chan, and Esther Hiu Kwan Yung. “Age-friendly cities and communities: A review and future directions.” Ageing & Society (2020): 1-38.
van Hoof, J., et al. “Ten questions concerning age-friendly cities and communities and the built environment.” Building and Environment (2021): 107922.
van Hoof, Joost, et al. “Age-friendly cities in the Netherlands: An explorative study of facilitators and hindrances in the built environment and ageism in design.” Indoor and Built Environment 29.3 (2020): 417-437.

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