Age-friendly cities of Europe

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• Gerontology

Background:

• The European Healthy Cities Network acts as a testing ground for municipal strategies promoting healthy ageing.
• Older adults represent a valuable societal resource, emphasizing independence and achievement in the 'third age'.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the application of the World Health Organization's 'healthy ageing' approach by European cities.
• To evaluate municipal strategies and interventions aimed at maintaining health and independence in older populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of evidence from Healthy Ageing Sub-Network symposia.
• Evaluation of responses from 59 member cities to a General Evaluation Questionnaire (Phase IV, 2003-2008).

Main Results:

• Cities focused on four key aspects: older adults as a resource, empowerment, service access, and supportive environments.
• Implementation of healthy ageing strategies across various municipal sectors.

Conclusions:

• Municipal governments can compress the 'fourth age' of decline and dependency.
• Healthy ageing strategies expand the 'third age' of achievement and independence, fostering social and economic contributions from older adults.