A Manifesto for the Age-Friendly Movement: Developing a New Urban Agenda

Abstract

Developing age-friendly cities and communities has become a key part of policies aimed at improving the quality of life of older people in urban areas. The World Health Organization has been especially important in driving the "age-friendly" agenda, notably through its global network of age-friendly cities and communities. Despite the expansion and achievements of the network, challenges remain in responding to the growth of inequality and the impact of economic austerity on aging policies. Against the background of these limitations, this article sets out a "manifesto for the age-friendly movement" aimed at raising the aspirations of what is now a worldwide movement. The areas covered in the manifesto are challenging social inequality, widening participation, coproducing and codesigning age-friendly communities, encouraging multisectorial and multidisciplinary collaboration, and integrating research with policy. The article concludes with a discussion on developing age-friendly work as a contribution to a new agenda for urban aging.

From Active Aging to Active Citizenship: The Role of (Age) Friendliness

“…In the WHO's AFCC program, older people have an active role in contributing to the quality of life well-being in of different groups in cities (Sancho and Barrio 2010). For this, the protagonism and leadership is given to the citizens in general and to older people in particular, putting into practice the theory of Active aging by promoting the participation of people in social and political decision-making (Moulaert and Garon 2016;Barrio et al 2016;Buffel and Phillipson 2018a).…”

“…First, while contributing to theoretical debates about Active Aging, more empirical evidence is needed in terms of understanding the processes that contribute to promoting active citizenship through Age-Friendly programmes. Second, it should also be noted that the AFCC project can be criticized for the same reasons as the concept of Active Aging (Biggs 2001;Bowling 2005;Hasmanová 2011), since in many cases it does not include diversity, fragility, and excluded groups of aging populations (Buffel and Phillipson 2018a). Thus, the goal of generating active citizenship similarly runs the risk of further empowering a more resourceful "elite" of older people, whilst adding to the exclusion of those that are already disadvantaged.…”

“…The WHO initiative spread rapidly and gained acknowledgement as a global movement (Barusch 2013;Golant 2014;Liddle et al 2014;Lui et al 2009;Fitzgerald and Caro 2016;Scharlach and Lehning 2013;Moulaert and Garon 2016;Buffel and Phillipson 2018a). Such age-friendly programs bring together a range of partners to address the environmental and social factors that contribute to active and healthy aging.…”

“…The growth in popularity of the Age-Friendly movement has contributed to the development of multiple Age-Friendly frameworks and initiatives worldwide. These can be found under a variety of terms in the literature: 'age-friendly', 'aging-friendly', 'liveable', and 'lifetime neighborhoods/communities/ cities/environments' (Scharlach and Lehning 2013;Buffel and Phillipson 2018a;Steels 2015). A review of these models found that the emerging ideal framework is characterized by a focus on both the social and physical environment; includes a participatory model of collaborative governance; and, focuses, in particular, on the objective of 'inclusiveness' (Lui et al 2009).…”

Neighbourhood nursing : connection, place and meaning in the everyday experience of dementia

“…In recent years, the idea of inclusive environments such as age-friendly cities have been developed in 25 countries worldwide, including Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada (Buffel et al, 2014;Fitzgerald & Caro, 2014;Kendig, Elias, Matwijiw, & Anstey, 2014;Menec et al, 2011;Scharlach, 2012;World Health Organization, 2012). The concept of age-friendly cities is that they are designed with all citizens, but especially older people, in mind, with the creation of environments that are inclusive and empowering of older people (Buffel & Phillipson, 2018). The idea of an age-friendly community is of a place where citizens of all ages can come together and opportunities for activities and social participation are offered to enable a more healthy lifestyle for people living there (Mustaquim, 2015;World Health Organization, 2012).…”