OECD cities are undergoing profound demographic change. A rapid increase in the share of older adults while still serving as magnets for younger people, means governments must re-evaluate urban policies to make cities more age-inclusive, ensuring accessibility, safety and opportunities for all residents, says a new OECD report.
The share of older adults among OECD city populations is increasing rapidly. Between 2020 and 2040, the share of people older than 65 years old is projected to rise from 20.9% to 27.9% on average in metropolitan and surrounding areas across 29 OECD countries1.
This will add to the social and economic challenges facing cities, raising issues such as poor health, loneliness, lower workforce participation, and increased public spending. At the same time, cities must retain their ability to grow and attract younger people.
The new OECD report Cities for All Ages reviews these challenges and finds that policies to create cities for all ages will not only enhance residents’ lives but can also help support broader economic, social and environmental goals.
This report provides several actions that governments at all levels can take to promote an “age-inclusive” approach – such as universally accessible public transport, diversified housing options, investment in the “silver economy” and telemedicine. To create cities for all ages, governments must focus on 3 key policy areas, including:
Inclusive urban design and planning to improve accessibility – for instance, Barranquilla and Bogotá, in Colombia, are redesigning urban space with mixed use development and expanded green spaces, including for children and older adults.
Targeted housing provision to help young people and parents find affordable homes near schools, work, services and cultural hubs and enable older adults to age in place – for instance Bologna, Italy is redeveloping brownfield sites for age-specific needs, like co-housing for residents under 35.
Strengthening the local economy by integrating young and older adults as both workers and consumers - providing older adults with reskilling programmes, as in Greater Manchester (United Kingdom), can extend workforce participation and reduce health costs.
To help cities adapt, the OECD has developed a checklist for age-inclusive cities, offering 9 key policy actions for governments at all levels. Grounded in global best practices from both national and local governments, the checklist offers a practical tool for designing cities that meet the needs of all generations.
