The age-friendly built environment

Well located and connected developments are attracting 'downsizers' back into towns and cities - increasing the visibility of the older population and bringing positive economic benefits for local neighbourhoods.

Planners and developers should work in partnership to incentivise the delivery of attractive 'downsizer' developments on infill urban sites and through conversion of existing buildings.

Downsizer home (PDF, 5.1MB)

Transport can help to foster a sense of visibility and connection with society, particularly for people with mobility difficulties.

Convenient and reliable transport systems are a core component of Age-friendly built environments - helping to support civic participation and employment, as well as opening up access to a wider choice of shops and services.

Convenient transport (PDF, 2.9MB)

Neighbourhood and civic centres of different scales play a vital role in bringing together residents of all ages for shopping, socialising, and hosting local events.

Public realm design can help to create attractive and vibrant urban centres that support a range of retail and community activities, while mitigating the negative impacts of vehicular traffic.

Active centres (PDF, 2.4MB)

There are substantial health gains to be made by joining up built environment improvements with the public health agenda.

This requires pedestrian and age-friendly principles to be embedded in all highways and urban design projects to reduce the speed and volume of traffic, promote green infrastructure, and produce environments that positively encourage walking and cycling.

Pedestrian friendly (PDF, 1.8MB)

Local parks and green spaces contribute to age-friendly placemaking in a number of ways: providing space for exercise and fresh air, access to nature, sports and leisure facilities, and meeting places for social events.

The most successful examples are parks that are attractive, safe, and can accommodate the needs of a wide range of activities - bringing different groups and generations together.

Green spaces for all (PDF, 3.3MB)

The idea of assisted or independent living schemes functioning as local hubs has become well established in good practice guidance.

The next step is to mainstream the idea of assisted living as an integral part of the neighbourhood centre. This can be enabled by developing assisted living as part of mixed-use schemes - alongside new schools, health centres, libraries, commercial, and retail developments.

Mixed use (PDF, 3.9MB)

The proliferation of street furniture (bins, signs, bollards, streetlighting) can easily make the street a more confusing and difficult place to navigate.

The creation of accessible and attractive streets requires a coordinated approach to street furniture, introducing more of the things people want (benches, greenery), and making the environment more legible through wayfinding and lighting schemes.

Legible streets (PDF, 3.6MB)