Age friendly urban spaces Dr Kathleen Brasher

Urban spaces take their form largely from the ways people experience their bodies Sennett 2002

The ageing body in urban spaces Designed for freely moving body Inhospitable for older people with exceptions

The evolutionary transformation (or, which one is old?)

The life course as it was Kalache, 2013

The potential life course Kalache, 2013

Poverty Discrimination Social isolation Chronic illness The problems of ageing

Benefits of ageing A$74 billion per annum As carers & volunteers de Vause, 2003

A$53 billion per annum Intergenerational transfer of money O’Dwyer et al. 2012

Social ‘glue’ Share knowledge Enact community values Connect people to place and history

Urban spaces that enhance Health Security Participation Lifelong learning

WHO Global Age Friendly Cities and Communities Initiative work /en/

1. People and Place Creating places that allow older people to flourish 2. Active involvement of older people The meaningful, purposeful involvement of older people in creating those places

8 Domains 1. Outdoor spaces & buildings 2. Transportation 3. Housing 4. Social participation 5. Respect & social inclusion 6. Civic participation & employment 7. Communication & information 8. Community support & health services

Outdoor spaces Well maintained, smooth footpaths Adequate seating spaced at regular intervals Safe green spaces with shelter and seating Services are clustered and accessible WHO AFC Checklist

Transportation Accessible and affordable public transport Friendly, available taxis Bus drivers able to support older people Reliable community transport WHO AFC Checklist

Mobility is the connection between and within domains

Mobility means Independence Quality of life Physical activity Social connection Participation in the life of the community

What stops us?

Single solution approach Short-term, acute response Need to think in decades not days

Deeply held, negative attitudes to ageing and older people

Separation of the life span creating an ‘us and them’

Fearful attitude to our future selves and our own mortality

Create urban spaces … to ensure older people have the best later life for themselves and the nation

Re-imagine urban spaces through the ageing body Places for health, community and flourishing throughout life