Ageing in urban environments: Challenges and opportunities for a critical social work practice

Abstract

Ageing and urbanisation are now identified as significant social trends affecting life in the twenty-first century (Buffel et al. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 26, 52-72, 2012). By 2030, at least one quarter of urban populations will be aged 60 and over, with significant implications for urban planning and development. Increasingly, cities will need to balance their role as drivers of economic development with responsibilities for improving the quality of life of their older residents. Urban environments produce particular stressors and constraints on older people. At the same time, older people bring advantages to urban areas. There are hazards and risks as well as benefits and opportunities for them (see Buffel et al. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 26, 52-72, 2012). After contextualising the issues and considering major initiatives such as Age Friendly Cities, this chapter considers the role and contribution of social work in developments such as age friendly cities. It makes comparison with other such initiatives cross-nationally in demonstrating the notion of active citizenship, participation and involvement for older people. It considers how social work responses will need to change to respond to the phenomenon of ageing cities.