City Futures Research Centre

Age Friendly Cities Prof Bruce Judd, City Futures Research Centre

ACS State Conference, 2015

Photo: Martin Godwin, The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/08/retailers-older-shoppers-study Photo: http://shrewsburyurc.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/

Overview

What is an age friendly city?

Where did the idea originate?

Why do we need age friendly cities?

Key elements of an age friendly city

Housing

Neighbourhoods

Transport infrastructure

How age friendly are Australian cities?

Implications for:

Policy makers

Design and planning practitioners

The housing industry

City Futures AHURI Funded Studies

Dwelling, Land and

Neighbourhood Use by

Older Home Owners

(2010) (Co-funded by DoHA)

With Diana Olsberg, Joanne

Quinn, Lucy Groenhart and

Oya Demirbilek

Downsizing Amongst

Older Australians

(2014)

With Edgar Liu, Hazel

Easthope, Laura Davy and

Catherine Bridge

“An age-friendly city encourages active

ageing by optimizing opportunities for

health, participation and security in order

to enhance quality of life as people age..” (WHO, 2007)

“In practical terms, an age-friendly city

adapts its structures and services to be

accessible to, and inclusive of, older

people with varying needs and

capacities.” (WHO, 2007)

“Age friendly communities are ones with

accessible town centres and facilities

which all contribute to maintaining social

connectedness for our ageing

population.” (Andrew Constance NSW Minister

for Ageing, 2012)

What is an Age Friendly City?

Age Friendly Cities Program (2007)

WHO Active Ageing Framework (2002)

International conference, Brazil (2005)

Alexandre Kalache & Louise Plouffe

Initial network of 33 participating cities

2 in Australia (Melville WA, Melbourne VIC)

Current Australian Members:

Boorondara (VIC, inner-east Melbourne)

Canberra (ACT)

Clarence (NSW, Grafton and region)

Lane Cove (NSW, lower north shore Sydney)

Melville (WA, suburban Perth)

Rockingham (WA, coastal regional)

Unley (SA , inner-south Adelaide)

Warnambool (VIC, western regional)

World Health Organisation Initiative

outdoor spaces and

buildings

transportation

housing

social participation

respect and social inclusion

civic participation and

employment

communication and

information; community

support and health services (WHO, 2007)

Aspects of Age Friendly Cities

Population ageing

Ageing in place

Housing types

Size

No of storeys

Affordability

Housing design

Accessibility

Maintenance

Housing Location

Community services

Social networks

Why do we need age friendly cities?

Neighbourhood design Accessibility

Participation

Safety

Security

Public transport Availability

Accessibility

Frequency

Convenience

Safety/security

Equity and Social inclusion

Health and wellbeing

Population Ageing

14.2

16.4

19.4

21.6 23.2

25.0

28.9

1.9 2.1 2.7 4.0

5.1 5.9

9.3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2012 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2100

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Year

65+

85+

Source: Productivity Commission 2013

Community Care & Ageing in Place

Initiative Focus

1985: HACC Program • Assistance in the home to reduce residential aged care

• Home modifications to enable ageing in place

1987:Community Options

Projects (COPs)

• More intensive home-based support

• Highly dependent people with complex care needs

• Available to people of all ages (majority 80+)

1992: Community Aged

Care Packages (CACP)

• Specifically for older people

• Tailored to individual needs (capped fees can apply)

1998: Extended Aged

Care at Home program

(EACH)

• For frail aged people

• Flexible high level care package with capped fees

1998: Extended Aged

Care at Home (Dementia)

Program (EACH-D)

• Older people with dementia with behaviours of concern

• High level of care for those capable of living at home

with assistance

2013: Home Care

Packages

• Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms

• Four levels of care replacing CACP, EACH & EACH-D

• From community care to high residential care

Importance of the Built Environment

“As the population ages, the suitability and affordability of

housing for older people will become increasingly

important for governments. …the degree to which ‘ageing

in place’ is an option for older people depends on the

suitability of the design features of their dwelling and the

neighbourhood, as well as the availability of services.”

(Major Cities Unit, State of Australian Cities, 2013)

Housing

Older People and Their Housing, 2011

Household Size: Private Dwellings (65+)

27.8

55.8

16.4

48.4

38.2

13.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1 Person 2 Persons 3+ Persons

Perc

en

tag

e

No of Residents

65+

85+

Source: ABS Custom Tables, 2011 Census

65+

84% 1 or 2

residents

85+

87% 1 or 2

residents

Older People and Their Housing, 2011

Dwelling Structure (65+ and 85+)

Source: ABS Custom Tables, 2011 Census

70.9

9.1 9.6

2.1

8.3

50.4

10.3 10.9

0.5

27.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

SeparateHouse

Semi, Row,Terrace

Flat,Apartment

OtherDwelling

Non PrivateDwelling

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Dwelling Structure

65+

85+

Older People and Their Housing, 2011

Number of Bedrooms (65+ and 85+)

Source: ABS Custom Tables, 2011 Census

5.7

21.2

49.3

23.8

7.6

32.4

44.4

15.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0-1 2 3 4+

Pe

rce

nta

ge

No of Bedrooms

65+

85+

65+

73% 3+

bedrooms

85+

60% 3+

bedrooms

Older People and Their Housing, 2011

Tenure (65+ and 85+)

Source: ABS Custom Tables, 2011 Census

67.3

9.1 4.8 6.9

3.1

8.9

48.5

3.8 4.0 3.5

12.3

27.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Owners Purchasers PublicRental

PrivateRental

Other NonPrivate

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Tenure

65+

85+

Housing Types

Lack of suitability of much of the existing and new housing stock

for ageing in place

Most older people’s homes are regarded as ‘underutilised’

according to the CNOS measure (84% in 2006)

Yet most older people (91%) regard the size of their house as

suitable for the needs of their household

30% have considered moving (Adair et al 2014, Productive Ageing Centre)

Only 18% of over 55s move within a five year period (ABS)

Half of these (9%) downsize into smaller dwellings

20% who downsize move into retirement villages

Most do so for lifestyle and maintenance reasons

The majority stay put

Why this disconnect?

Moving and Downsizing

Barriers to Downsizing (Judd et al 2014)

Type Barriers Policy Options

Dwelling &

Locational

Barriers

• Difficulty finding suitable (smaller),

affordable, accessible dwellings in

suitable locations (close to retail,

transport and other services)

• Age friendly planning &

urban design controls

• Mandated accessible

housing design

Financial

Barriers

• Cost associated with moving:

• Stamp duty

• Removalists fees

• Temporary accommodation

• Estate agent’s fees

• Impact on age pension eligibility

• Housing market fluctuations

• Stamp duty exemptions/

concessions (4 states) or

replacement with land tax

• Age pension assets test

exemption (2013/14 budget

• Older home owners grants

Psychological

& Practical

Barriers

• Emotional attachment to home

and neighbourhood

• Stress of preparation for sale

• Stress of moving

• Difficulty of sorting, packing

disposing of belongings

• More effective information,

advisory & assistance

services by government &

NGO providers

• Age-specific financial

advisors & removalists

National Policy Initiatives

Initiative Key Themes

1992: National Housing

Strategy

• Howe (1992) Housing for Older Australians:

Affordability, Adjustments and Care

• Housing preferences, mobility

1994: Australian Urban and

Regional Development

Review

• Increase housing choice

• Encouraging more efficient use of housing stock

2002: National Strategy for

an Ageing Australia

• Long-term, whole of government approach needed

• Independence and ageing in place, or moving to more

appropriate accommodation

2003: Prime Ministers

Science Engineering and

Innovation Council

• Healthy/positive ageing

• Need for technical innovation in housing,

neighbourhoods, transport and urban planning

2006: DoHA National

Speakers Series

• ‘A Community for All Ages’: Building the Future

• Need for age-friendly housing and communities

National Policy Initiatives

Initiative Key Themes

2009: National Rental

Affordability Scheme

• Affordable housing

• Accessibility for older people and those with

disabilities

2009: National Rental

Affordability Scheme

• Affordable housing

• Accessibility for older people and those with

disabilities

2009: National Dialogue on

Universal Housing Design

• Consultation with wide range of stakeholders

• Strategic Plan, aspiring to 100% of new housing

accessible by 2020

2010: Access to Premises –

Buildings Standards,

Disability Discrimination Act

• Includes Class 2 (flat/apartment) buildings

• Level access at building entrance

• Access to at least one floor of sole occupancy units

2012: Livable Housing

Design Guidelines (Livable

Housing Australia)

• Voluntary standards for housing with Silver, Gold and

Platinum level performance/accreditation

• Aim for 100% adoption at Silver level by 2020

NSW Policy Initiatives

Initiative Key Themes

1982: SEPP 5 (Housing for

Older People or People with

a Disability)

• Age restricted to 55+ or people with a disability

• Permitted in land zoned for urban purposes

• Set aside local planning controls

• Location and accessible design requirements

2004: SEPP (Seniors

Living)

• Replaced SEPP5: Balancing growing demand with

maintaining neighbourhood character

2007: SEPP (Housing for

Seniors or People with

Disabilities)

• Amendment to SEPP (Seniors Living)

• Site compatibility certificates required

• Moratorium lifted on land adjoining ‘urban’ zone

2008: Landcom Universal

Housing Design Guidelines

• Universal Housing Design Guidelines

• Planning for all Ages in Built Form Guidelines

2011-2012: Stamp Duty

Exemptions for Seniors

• 55 years and over

• New home purchases only

• Up to a value of $600,000

2012: NSW Ageing Strategy • Greater housing choice & monitoring supply

• Grants to assist moving/downsizing to new dwellings

Peak Body Initiatives

Organisation Initiative

2002: Australian Network

for Universal Housing

Design (ANUHD)

• Top 10 Housing Universal Design Features

• Now advocates mandated Livable Housing

Guidelines to Gold level in the BCA

2012: COTA WA (with WA

Dept. of Commerce)

• Seniors Housing Centre

• Your Home Guide to housing options

• Information/seminars on housing options incl.

downsizing

2013: COTA NSW (with

NSW Government)

• Liveable Communities Project

• Creating Age Friendly Communities Workshops

• 23 NSW Councils assisted

Neighbourhood

Neigbourhood Participation National Survey of 1604 older people (Judd et al, 2010)

Frequency of Participation National Survey of 1604 older people (Judd et al, 2010)

7.6

10.2

42.1

50.4

50.9

55.8

56.7

64.1

68.1

79.2

94.9

92.4

89.8

57.9

49.6

49.1

44.2

43.3

35.9

31.9

20.8

5.1

0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0

Medical/Health Appointments

Theatre/Cultural Activities

Dining Out

Educational Courses

Friends/Family Visit You

Community/Social Clubs

Volunteering Activities

Visiting Family/Friends

Religious Services/Activities

Sport/Recreation

Shopping/Banking/Retail

Percentage

Ac

tivit

y T

yp

e

Monthly-Yearly

Daily-Weekly

Barriers to Participation

Paths of travel

Absent

Discontinuous

Poorly maintained

Overgrown

Lack of road crossings

Poor lighting at night

Public access to buildings

Stairs

Lack of ramps

Lack of handrails

Lack of seating

Barriers to Participation

Street Furniture & Fixtures

Lack of seating

Lack of shelter

Lack of public toilets

Poor maintenance

Public open space

Inadequate/poor provision

Poor design

Lack of paving

Lack of seating

Lack of shelter

Lack of public toilets

Age Friendly Community Initiatives

Organisation Initiative

2004: National Heart

Foundation

• Healthy by Design publication in collaboration with

Planning Institute of Australia

• Guidelines for healthy planning

2004: Seniors Living Policy

Urban Design Guidelines for

Infill Development

• Companion to SEPP (Seniors Living) by UDAS

• Contextual fit, site planning/design, impacts on

streetscape, neighbours, internal site amenity

2006: Australian Local

Government Assn. (ALGA)

• Age-friendly Built Environments publication

• Best practice examples and case studies

2006: DoHA National

Speakers Series

• ‘A Community for All Ages’: Building the Future

• Need for age-friendly housing and communities

2008:Planning Institute of

Australia

• Healthy Spaces & Places: Towards a National

Planning Guide

• Guidelines for healthy planning for all ages

2009: National Heart

Foundation ALGA & PIA

• Healthy Spaces & Places

• Active/healthy living urban planning/design guidelines

Age Friendly Community Initiatives

Organisation Initiative

2012: Local Government

Assn. of NSW (ALGA)

• Promotion of inclusive and accessible communities

• Age Friendly Community Grant Scheme (funded by

the Office of Ageing, FACS)

2012: NSW Ageing Strategy • Age-friendly local communities grants to councils

2012: Local Government

Assn. of NSW (ALGA)

• Promotion of inclusive and accessible communities

• Age Friendly Community Grant Scheme (funded by

the Office of Ageing, FACS)

2013: COTA NSW (with

NSW Government)

• Liveable Communities Project

• Creating Age Friendly Communities Workshops

• 23 NSW Councils assisted

2013: Advisory Note on

Streetscape, Public Outdoor

Areas, Fixtures, Fittings and

Furniture

• Human Rights Commission initiative

• Response to industry requests regarding obligations

under the Disability Discrimination Act

• Outdoor areas not covered by Access to Premises

Gunnedah Town Centre

Photos: Bruce Judd

A Central NSW Town Centre

Photos: Bruce Judd

Transport

Barriers to Participation

Transport Infrastructure

Poor provision or quality of service

(irregular/unreliable)

Waiting/transfer times, queues and

crowding

Confusing timetables and bus routes

Distance or steep topography to public

transport nodes

Lack of seating & shelter

Stair only access to stations and buses

Crime/safety concerns at transport nodes

Lower-income outer-suburban and

some regional towns usually worse

Public Transport Policy Initiatives

Initiative Key Features

2002: Disability Standards

for Public Transport (Disabil-

ity Discrimination Act 1992

• Rolled out over 30 years

• Targets in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022

• Covers both access, premises and vehicles

2007: Five Year Review of

Disability Standards for

Public Transport (published

2009)

• Lack of data to assess compliance

• Complaints based reporting

• Uneven improvements in accessibility

• Lack of whole of journey accessibility

• Lack of reliability of accessible transport services

• Exclusion of community bus services

2012: Ten Year Review of

Disability Standards for

Public Transport (published

2014)

• Report currently under consultation

• Only 3 of the 9 recommendations of the 2007 review

had been met

• Found majority of 2012 targets had been met

• Recommends national reporting on compliance

• Concerns raised about complaints process

• Recommends whole of journey accessibility guidelines

• Wheelchair accessible taxi compliancy by 2016

Housing

Livable Housing Guidelines need to be mandated as unlikely to

meet voluntary targets (Bringolf 2012, Ward 2013)

Greater Innovation needed in the housing industry to provide the

housing types older people will want to move/downsize into

Inclusive rather than age-specific housing emphasis

Neighbourhoods

Planning and development controls to encourage housing types

suitable for older people close to amenities and services

Need for National or State inclusive urban design guidelines

Transport

Review the slow roll-out of disability standards for public

transport as unlikely to keep pace with population ageing

Improve whole of journey accessibility

Where to From Here?

References Adair, T., Williams, R. and Menyen, T. (2014) Downsizing decisions of senior Australians: What are

the motivating and discouraging factors? Melbourne: National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2012) 2011 Census of Population and Housing, customised

tables, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Treasury (2002) Intergenerational Report 2002-03 (Budget Paper No. 5), Canberra.

Bringolf, J. (2012) Barriers to Universal Design: Why they exist and how they might be resolved, PHD

Thesis, University of Western Sydney.

Judd, B., Olsberg, D., Quinn, J., Groenhart, L. and Demirbilek, O. (2010) Dwelling, Land and

Neighbourhood Use by Older Home Owners (Final Report), Australian Housing and Urban

Research Institute, Melbourne.

Judd, B., Liu, E., Easthope, H., Davy, L. and Bridge, C. (2014) Downsizing Amongst Older Australians

(Final Report No 214), Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Melbourne. Major Cities

Unit (2013) State of Australian Cities 2013, Canberra: Department of Infrastructure and Transport.

Major Cities Unit (2013) State of Australian Cities 2013, Canberra: Department of Infrastructure and

Transport.

Productivity Commission (2013) An Ageing Australia: Preparing the Future (Research Paper),

Canberra.

Ward, M. (2013) Inclusive Housing in Australia: A Question of Responsibility and Distributive Justice,

PhD Thesis, School of Design, Creative Industries Faculty, Brisbane: Queensland University of

Technology.

World Health Organisation (2007) Global Age Friendly Cities: A Guide. Geneva, WHO Press.