How are cities adapting to the aging population? And what changes are being made to ensure older adults are fully included in their communities? These questions have long been debated by thought leaders, policymakers, and urban planners as cities confront a rapidly growing older population—often without sufficient resources to meet their needs.
Several years ago, the nonprofit organization 8 80 Cities, based in Toronto, Canada, gained widespread attention for its simple but powerful mission: if public spaces work well for both an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, they will work well for everyone. While this idea has inspired progress, much more remains to be done—especially for older adults who are disenfranchised, underserved, or marginalized within their communities.
Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that the rising number of older adults is placing significant strain on healthcare and social welfare systems around the world. Most older adults want to age in place, but many cannot due to financial limitations, illness, or difficulty managing their homes. Bruce Willis is one public example: after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, his family chose a separate residence with full-time care to provide a calm, supportive environment while maintaining stability for his daughters and preserving close family connection.
Families across the country are making similar decisions—whether relying on long-term care services, home modifications, technologies, or community support. Still, contrary to popular belief, only a minority of older adults use extensive formal services. Many remain active or need only minimal assistance, yet find themselves navigating cities not designed with their needs in mind.
If cities are meant to be places where people of all ages can thrive, then they must evolve. One approach is the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities initiative, launched in 2007. The WHO framework calls for physical and social environments that enable older adults to “age actively”—to live in security, enjoy good health, and continue participating in society. But this framework is only a starting point. Older adults are not a monolith; they have diverse histories, cultures, identities, and abilities. Adopting a one-size-fits-all approach falls short.
Below are three emerging trends shaping the future of age-friendly cities.
1. Radical Imagination In Creative Aging
Creative aging programs—those that use arts and culture to support older adults—are essential for well-being. They promote cognitive health, reduce loneliness, and foster social connections through activities like painting, collage, performance, storytelling, and workshops. Cities such as New York have embraced these programs through museums, libraries, and universities. The New York Public Library, for example, offers free multi-week Creative Aging workshops for adults 50+, covering topics from acting to painting.
Yet new research suggests these programs need a more radical imagination—one that incorporates inclusivity, cultural relevance, and strengths-based approaches. For instance, scholars have noted a lack of programming tailored to aging Black women. A recent study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health describes the Radical Imagination program in the San Francisco Bay Area, which used Afrofuturism, art-making, brain-health education, storytelling, and photography with 42 Black women ages 58–85. Scaling programs like this across the U.S. could reshape creative aging entirely.
2. Radical Design For Longevity Cities
Can joy and play be part of a city’s longevity strategy? Can water become an engine of health and economic vibrancy? These are the types of questions posed by Rajiv Ahuja, co-founder of Wisdom House and a WRLDCTY Fellow, who works on “longevity city” design.
Ahuja envisions cities that plan for longer, healthier lives by investing in experiences, not just infrastructure. After diving into Copenhagen’s harbor—a clean, swimmable urban waterway—he began advocating for a public river swim in Pittsburgh by 2030. It may sound ambitious, but as Ahuja points out, there are clear precedents: Copenhagen’s harbor baths boosted nearby property values by up to 50 percent and transformed how residents used the city. Paris cleaned the Seine and hosted swimming events for the first time in a century. Chicago held its first public river swim last year
These ideas underscore a broader principle: cities can promote longevity by reconnecting people with their natural environments. Ahuja’s advice? Start small, measure outcomes, learn from global best practices, and scale wisely.
3. Radical Concepts For Dementia Villages
When the world’s first dementia village—The Hogeweyk in the Netherlands—opened in 2009, it sparked global excitement. Designed as a secure, “normal-life” community with shops, restaurants, and parks, it offered a humane alternative to traditional memory care. Countries including Germany, Switzerland, and the U.S. have studied its positive outcomes.
Dementia villages remain rare in the U.S., largely due to cost and zoning barriers, but they could fill a critical gap. Conventional memory care settings often fail to provide autonomy or integrate with the surrounding community. Dementia villages, by contrast, focus on:
- A normalized, everyday environment
- Safety paired with freedom of movement
- Staff trained specifically in dementia care
- Thoughtful, dementia-informed design
- Holistic, person-centered care
Projects such as Livasu Village (Sheboygan County, WI) and Avandell (Holmdel, NJ) are in development, though both face delays and significant challenges. Still, the first U.S. dementia village—when it eventually opens—could transform dementia care and redefine dignity in aging.
Human dignity in old age is essential. As cities grapple with demographic change, the challenge is not just to add years to life, but life to those years. With imagination, thoughtful design, and inclusive planning, cities can become places where everyone—at 8, 80, and every age in between—can thrive.
