How can a city become age-friendly?

A city becomes age-friendly by committing to the goal, involving older residents, assessing its current situation across all domains, agreeing an action plan, implementing it and measuring progress over time.

A practical cycle

1. Political and institutional commitment. 2. Engage older people in decision-making. 3. Baseline assessment across domains. 4. Action plan with owners and timelines. 5. Implementation with partners. 6. Monitor with indicators and repeat.

  • [Guidance] Involving older people in local decision-making (UK practice guidance).
  • [Guidance] Getting started with delivering an age-friendly community (UK practice guidance).

For Indian cities

Existing national schemes, Smart Cities programmes, municipal bodies and resident welfare associations are natural partners. Local evidence should shape priorities rather than importing foreign benchmarks.

  • [SeniorHub interpretation] Suggested Indian partners are a SeniorHub interpretation.

Sources

  • Age-friendly engagement toolkit: Involving older people in local decision-making — Centre for Ageing Better (2026)
  • Getting Started Delivering an Age-friendly Community — Centre for Ageing Better

Related

Jurisdiction: GLOBAL · Version 1 · Last reviewed 2026-09-24. SeniorHub is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO or the UN.