What Makes a City Truly Age-Friendly?

As people around the world live longer, healthier lives, our communities must evolve to support this incredible gift of longevity. If we’re to thrive for 100 years or more, we need more than access to healthcare and financial planning—we need neighborhoods, cities, and public spaces that allow us to flourish at every stage of life.

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” – Jane Jacobs
 To build cities that truly serve 100-year lives, we must rethink how we design transportation, housing, social infrastructure, and environments for purpose, connection, and wellbeing.

Why Urban Design Matters for Longevity

A person’s zip code often influences their lifespan more than their genetic code. Studies confirm that walkability, green space, social engagement, and access to basic needs dramatically impact physical and emotional health.

According to a World Health Organization report on age-friendly cities, communities that support intergenerational engagement, active transportation, and accessible services contribute to longer, more fulfilling lives. A Harvard study on healthy aging also found that cities designed for connection—rather than convenience alone—play a critical role in reducing loneliness and chronic disease.

The takeaway? The design of your neighborhood could be a blueprint for how well—and how long—you live.

Key Elements of Cities Built for 100-Year Lives

1. Walkability and Active Living
 People who move naturally through their day tend to live longer, healthier lives. That’s why cities should prioritize walkable streets, safe sidewalks, bike paths, and access to public transportation.

Apps like Walk Score let you check how walkable your neighborhood is—and suggest ways to improve your daily mobility.

2. Multigenerational Housing and Zoning
 Housing should evolve with us. Flexible housing models—like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), co-housing, and multigenerational homes—create options for aging in place and living close to family without sacrificing independence.

Explore examples through The AARP Livable Communities Initiative and the National Shared Housing Resource Center.

3. Accessible Public Spaces
 Parks, libraries, and community centers shouldn’t be afterthoughts. They are critical for connection and purpose. Cities that invest in accessible, inclusive, and intergenerational public spaces are building mental health, civic pride, and opportunity.

Look to design concepts from The Center for Active Design and Project for Public Spaces for inspiration and action models.

4. Mobility for All Ages
 Transportation shouldn’t end when people stop driving. Accessible bus systems, ride-sharing programs for older adults, and senior-friendly transit planning—like those offered by ITNAmerica—help people maintain autonomy and engagement.

5. Lifelong Learning Hubs
 Cities should support educational access not just for the young, but for every age. Universities and cultural institutions offering senior classes, maker spaces, and career pivot programs help people stay mentally sharp and socially connected.

Check out models like Road Scholar and Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes for intergenerational and elder-focused educational programs.

6. Tech-Enabled but Human-Centered
 While smart city technology can support aging through telehealth, safety monitoring, and mobility apps, it must be user-friendly and designed with empathy. Digital inclusion efforts, like Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), help ensure that tech expands—not limits—opportunity.

Taking Action in Your Community

You don’t need to be an urban planner to make change. Start by observing your own environment:

• Are sidewalks clear and safe?
  
  
• Are there benches or shaded rest areas?
  
  
• Are community activities welcoming to all ages?
  
  

Then get involved. Join city council meetings. Write to your local planning board. Use platforms like Neighborland or Nextdoor to advocate for improvements and connect with like-minded citizens.

Tools to Explore and Improve Your Environment

• Walk Score – See your city’s walkability rating
  
  
• AARP Livability Index – Rate how your city supports aging
  
  
• ITNAmerica – Support transportation options for older adults
  
  
• PPS Placemaking Tools – Design ideas for better public spaces
  
  
• Age Brilliantly – Join conversations on living fully across all life stages
  
  

Join the Conversation: What Does a City for 100-Year Lives Look Like to You?

If you could redesign one part of your neighborhood for aging brilliantly, what would it be—and why?
 Do you feel your current community supports longevity, connection, and purpose?
 What small change could you help advocate for today?

We want your voice in this vital conversation. Join us in the Age Brilliantly Forum and help us imagine the communities we need to live longer, healthier, more connected lives—because how we design our cities determines how we experience our future.