Planners’ views on age-friendly environment in urban planning

Abstract

Urban planning plays a key role in delivering age-friendly environments (AFE). This paper centres on seventeen semi-structured interviews with territorial professionals and planners. We explore their views and understandings of the AFE agenda, as well as their perspectives about the barriers to implementation of age-friendly measures in urban environments. Qualitative data were analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings show that while professionals recognise the needs and expectations of older adults, they do not fully embrace the age-friendly environment paradigm due to several barriers. Further research is needed to understand how professionals incorporate age-friendliness into their daily practice.