One of the biggest social forces that city planners and builders must tackle is the needs of an ever-increasing, aging population. Currently, expected lifespans in Japan are 86 years for women, 80 for men, the longest in the world. But people talk today about today’s 80s being tomorrow’s 100! Since even now aging populations are influencing how cities are designed, what services they offer and where people live, it’s becoming an urgent matter to pay attention to the provision of urban services like health care and individual well-being. We must learn to tailor these services to fit not only the needs of the young and middle-aged, but to the elderly members of society, as well.
The big question is how can cities become “smart” and innovative in responding to all the challenges presented by the ever-increasing aged sector of the population? One way many of these issues are being addressed is through remote safety and risk-monitoring tools. Robotics and ICT are helping the elderly in adapting to new types of jobs, as well as opening up opportunities for lifelong education.
Another big question, maybe even bigger, is how can people be encouraged to continue to live in cities? The answer here is tied up with all the matters just presented: services for the aged, a social environment where they feel they are included, health care aimed at the types of ailments typically arising with age and so forth.
From a more upbeat point of view, cities could center attention on ways an aging population can have a positive impact on urban centers, including the move by large numbers of seniors from the suburbs to the city, where their disproportionate consumption of education and the arts can help rejuvenate city centers. With this factor in mind, a large and active senior population has the potential to assist a city in the achievement of its strategic economic objectives.
We need a Masterplan for a “City for all ages.” To formulate such a plan, key policies must be developed regarding
- Housing,
- Accessibility,
- Healthcare and
- Social opportunities and services for senior citizens