[Challenge to promote a city that is friendly for the elderly: A joint research "The Ageing in Place in Cities" between Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group, the University of Manchester, UK and Advanced Research Center for Geriatric and Gerontology (ARGG), Akita University, Japan]

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 2022;59(3):275-283. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.59.275.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

In Japan, the ageing population is increasing, and the issue of "the declining birthrate and increasing ageing population", "population declining", and "extending healthy life expectancy" have been taken up in various academic fields, but they are still unsolved in the term of effective methods. Currently, in each region of Japan unlike big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, there is the shortage of medical doctors, hospitals, living supportive infrastructure of roads, communications, public transportation, banks, post offices, and supermarkets, etc. All the necessary infrastructure is collapsing, and the current situation is becoming apparent in population declining villages of Japan. Will our country become more concentrated in big cities in the future? In particular, it is the elderly living in the community who are directly affected by these factors. In this article, we would like to introduce the history and recent activities of "Age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC)" led by the World Health Organization (WHO), and also introduce the efforts of "The Ageing in Place in Cities" project by Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group, the University of Manchester, UK, Akita City Hall, and Advanced Research Center for Geriatric and Gerontology (ARGG), Akita University, Japan.

Keywords: Active Ageing; Age Friendly City; Declining Birthrate and Ageing Population; Healthy Ageing; The Ageing in Place in Cities Project.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Cities
  • Geriatrics*
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*
  • Japan
  • United Kingdom
  • Universities