A new Arup report analyses how ten European cities are responding to their ageing populations through appropriate solutions.
A demographic shift is in progress in cities across the world with estimates indicating that for the first time in human history, the number of older people in 2050 will be greater than the number of children below 15 years of age. As cities across the globe continue to grow, more people are growing old in housing, streets and communities; however, cities are failing to respond appropriately to ageing populations with specific policies.
‘Shaping Ageing Cities’, a forward-thinking report prepared by Arup in collaboration with HelpAge International, Intel ICRI Cities and Systematica addresses this global concern through a comparative overview of the performance of 10 European cities.
Using 10 case studies of European cities, the report analyses ageing data through the lenses of society, mobility, and built and digital environments, setting up the basis to further investigate the correlation between politics, planning and ageing.
According to Stefano Recalcati, Associate, Milan, cities and urban environments have a fundamental role in defining how to deal with the ageing society. He adds that it presents a unique opportunity to influence and design urban environments and social structures in ways that respect, protect and fulfil people’s rights, even when they grow old.
Shaping Ageing Cities defines a methodology to study ageing in European cities, examining main features such as transportation, income, outdoor spaces, building design, social inclusion, ICT and health services in order to apply this experience to the growing market related to city-making.
The Shaping Ageing Cities report can be downloaded here.
