10 Ways to Make Cities Livable for the Elderly

How can the New Urban Agenda respect the elderly—and make cities better for all of us in the process?

1 minute read

May 30, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By Elana Eden


Elderly Walking

Nejc Vesel / Shutterstock

Ahead of the Habitat III conference in Ecuador, which will result in a New Urban Agenda, advocate Sion Jones urges urbanists worldwide to prioritize the needs of the aging and elderly.

Aging "change[s] the way we live, work, play, socialize, and experience our urban environments," Jones writes. Yet the needs pertaining to that experience are frequently not incorporated into policy or design. As a result, "our rights in the city are often compromised, particularly in older age, due to the social, economic and spatial characteristics of our cities."

Jones offers 10 areas of study to ensure a new urban agenda will include and respect the elderly.

For instance, Design housing for life (#5) includes both "flexible design" that can assure the ability to age in place, and broad policy changes that recognize tenancy rights and informal settlements.

Though progress in these areas would particularly benefit the elderly, it’s also clear that they would make cities more livable for everyone: Investing in sustainable transportation (#2) and combatting air pollution (#8) clean everyone’s air. But the elderly may feel certain needs more acutely, and urbanists may do well to build on their experiences to find solutions for all.

Monday, May 23, 2016 in Next City

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.