1. APA Northeast Region Conference June 26, 2015
The New Public Realm: Planning for Independent Aging in Northern Metropolitan Regions
JieLan Xu PhD student, University of Toronto
Bonnie Bartlett Urban and Transportation Planner, Arup

2. Self-introduction JieLan Xu PhD student, University of Toronto
-planning tools for 'age-friendly cities/communities' in relation to the spatial and historical context of urban development;
-comparative cases studies of aging experiences in different types of built environment with a focus on the relations between neighborhood environment and healthy aging/ active aging.
Bonnie Bartlett
Urban and Transportation Planner
-graduated with the University of Toronto, 2012, Master of Science in Planning
-employed with Arup (2+ years)
-awarded internal funding to examine age-friendly transportation in the Greater Toronto Area

3. Summary of Session
This session explores how municipalities can support the independence of aging adults by providing age-friendly transportation and housing options.
The responses provide best practices that are applicable to the built form and particular challenges of northern metropolitan regions in North America
Session time: 8:45 am – 10:15 am

4. Aging-in-place Aging-in-community
The ability for people to stay in a familiar environmental setting as they age
As de-institutionalization
The ability for people to remain certain competence and control over the surrounding environment
As remaining independent
Aging-in-place
The ability to adapt to changes in both the aging person and the surrounding environment
As an interaction between people and the environment
The ability to stay socially connected, have a sense of security and identity, and have choices over where and how to age in place
As remaining a sense of place-attachment and social connection, with choices over environment
Aging-in-community
The supportive environment in older people's place of living, including mutual support and services or care provided in community
As being independent with the help of community services/support

5. Community contexts of seniors: inner-city VS. suburb
Naturally occurring retirement communities VS. mixed-age neighborhoods (construction periods & housing stock)

6. Community contexts of seniors: inner-city VS. suburb
Naturally occurring retirement communities VS. mixed-age neighborhoods (construction periods & housing stock)

7. Community contexts of seniors: inner-city VS. suburb
Naturally occurring retirement communities VS. mixed-age neighborhoods (construction periods & housing stock)

8. What are the key concepts/ issues examined in your research?
Could you please describe what drew you to this topic?
Question 1

10. What are the trends in aging (such as the changes of housing needs and transportation needs) that you’ve found in your research?
How these trends will change over the coming decades (any research, evidence or assumption)?
Question 2

11. ¾ of all 65+ seniors have a driver’s license
Drivers aged 70+ are the 2nd highest accident risk group
Canadian seniors are most likely to drive or to be driven, even in Toronto
Seniors in Canada are disproportionately represented in pedestrian traffic fatalities

13. Housing Options for Seniors
Housing Options for Seniors * this slide shows some general comparisons and there can be great variations in each housing options and among different regions
Assisted living communities (Personalized support services & care)
Nursing care (skilled care facilities with 24-hour care)
Residence with specialized services (Alzheimer’s care)
Independent living/retirement communities (for independent seniors)
Age-restricted Community
Cohousing
Continuing care (assisted living & nursing care in one location)
Specialized (Purposively planned) housing
Non-specialized housing
Assistance of daily living
Community Services
Overall health of residents
Health services
Community activities
Independent environment
Affordability in general
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), lifelong housing, etc.
Home care (services delivered at home)
Adult day care (services in community)
Private dwelling (aging-in-place in a narrow sense)
Housing development (regulated by development controls)
Health and social services (often regulated by health authorities)

14. Housing and Care for Seniors
Housing and Care for Seniors *data from Canada-wide survey of care-givers
“The majority of caregivers of seniors took care of their parents or parents-in-law, regardless of where the senior lived. This was particularly the case among those who helped a senior in a care facility and in supportive housing (61%).”
% caregivers provide care on a weekly basis
Caregivers helping seniors in care facilities and those living with their care recipient were most likely to report stress associated with their caregiving responsibilities- 33% and 29% respectively.
They also reported more out-of-pocket caregiving related expenses
Reference: Statistic Canada (2015) Senior care: Differences by type of housing.
Data Source: Statistics Canada - Social General Survey 2012

15. Housing Trends for Seniors (Canada)
Population pyramid by living arrangement and sex for the population aged 65 and over, Canada, 2011
Percentage of the population aged 15 and over living in a single-detached house by age group, Canada, 2011
Notes: 1. Refers to married spouses and common-law partners.  2. 'Other' includes seniors who are lone parents, living with other relatives or non-relatives, or adult children living with their parent(s).  Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, Retrieved from:

16. Trends of Senior’s Housing in Ontario (specialized senior housing)
($)
(Number of Spaces)
Data source: CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey, multiple years

17. What organizations or cities are leading the charge in designing cities for accommodating aging populations?
Question 3

18. Housing Outdoor spaces and buildings Transportation Housing
AARP Livablility Index
Neighborhood
Health
Opportunity
Engagement
Environment
Housing
Transportation
Age-friendly Cities Guide
WHO
Outdoor spaces and buildings
Transportation
Housing
Social participation
Respect and social inclusion
Civic participation and employment
Communica-tion and information
Community support and health services

19. WHO- Global Age-friendly Cities: A Guide
Housing
☐ Sufficient, affordable housing is available in areas that are safe and close to services and the rest of the community.
☐ Sufficient and affordable home maintenance and support services are available.
☐ Housing is well-constructed and provides safe and comfortable shelter from the weather.
☐ Interior spaces and level surfaces allow freedom of movement in all rooms and passageways.
☐ Home modification options and supplies are available and affordable, and providers understand the needs of older people.
☐ Public and commercial rental housing is clean, well- maintained and safe.
☐ Sufficient and affordable housing for frail and disabled older people, with appropriate services, is provided locally.
Source:
Transportation
☐ Public transportation costs are consistent, clearly displayed and affordable.
☐ Public transportation is reliable and frequent, including at night and on weekends and holidays.
☐ All city areas and services are accessible by public transport, with good connections and well-marked routes and vehicles.
☐ Vehicles are clean, well-maintained, accessible, not overcrowded and have priority seating that is respected.
☐ Specialized transportation is available for disabled people.
☐ Drivers stop at designated stops and beside the curb to facilitate boarding and wait for passengers to be seated before driving off .
☐ Transport stops and stations are conveniently located, accessible, safe, clean, welllit and well-marked, with adequate seating and shelter.
☐ Complete and accessible information is provided to users about routes, schedules and special needs facilities.
☐ A voluntary transport service is available where public transportation is too limited.
☐ Taxis are accessible and affordable, and drivers are courteous and helpful.
☐ Roads are well-maintained, with covered drains and good lighting.
☐ Traffic flow is well-regulated.
☐ Roadways are free of obstructions that block drivers’ vision.
☐ Traffic signs and intersections are visible and well-placed.
☐ Driver education and refresher courses are promoted for all drivers.
☐ Parking and drop-off areas are safe, sufficient in number and conveniently located.
☐ Priority parking and drop-off spots for people with special needs are available and respected.

20. Source: https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/categories/housing

21. Can you give some examples of specific planning tools or policies (urban design/ housing/ transportation) have been or can be implemented to create 'age-friendly' environment?
Question 4

22. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Healthy Aging in Rural and Remote

23. Cohousing: Case-Cohabitat Québec
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Cooperation provided Seed and Proposal Development Funding to help cover some early-stage development costs.
Source of images:

24. NORCs-SSP: Implementation at different places, scales and neighborhoods
Data Source: An Overview of Programs in the National NORCs Aging in Place Initiative: Results from a 2012 Organizational Survey. Retrieved from:

25. NORCs-SSP: Supportive Services Provision and Utilization
In most surveyed programs, transportation and home health services were requested most frequently over the year of survey.
Data Source: An Overview of Programs in the National NORCs Aging in Place Initiative: Results from a 2012 Organizational Survey. Retrieved from:

26. What are three key challenges for city planners uncovered in your research thus far?
Question 5

29. “Transit use is generational and driving can be part of a generation’s culture. It would be intimidating to start riding transit as an older adult if you’ve never ridden before. ‘When do I go, where does the bus go?’”
Steve MacRae, City of Mississauga
"I am a senior and am new to Burlington so do not know the streets or routes. When I am on the bus there are no announcements for stops. This makes me very nervous that I will miss my stop, and makes me hesitant to venture out on my own.”
- Burlington resident feedback

30. What are three key recommendations for city planners uncovered in your research thus far?
Question 6

33. What special challenges the northeast region face?
Question 7

34. 1/3 of 65+ Canadians and Americans fall every year
$34 billion in direct costs in US (2012)

35. If you could enforce one aspect of age-friendly design for all cities, what would it be? Why?
Question 8

36. Questions?

37. Sources
Information
Photos
Vinoth Chandar