Report: Urban Planning and Design Neglecting the Needs of Seniors

Jason Plautz shares news of new report from the Milliken Institute Center for the Future of Aging that documents the accommodations made for seniors living in cities, like safe and affordable housing, walkable neighborhoods, and access to healthcare.

The "Age-Forward Cities for 2030" [pdf] report finds that about "eight in 10 U.S. residents 65 and older live in metropolitan areas, and adults over 60 are expected to account for about half of urban consumption growth by 2030," according to Plautz.

"The report says that many American cities aren’t doing enough to prepare for the needs of an aging population, including a failure to acknowledge 'the interconnection between their aging communities and their cities’ economic health and sustainability.'"

The report also notes that some cities are making progress, especially by crafting age-friendly strategic plans, like those in Pittsburgh and Columbus. The report also identifies land use regulation reform that allows accessory dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods as an important step toward age friendliness. "And trends like new urbanism, complete streets and Vision Zero programs are also strategies that will help seniors, the report finds," according to Plautz.