According to the guide " Measuring the age-friendliness of cities – A guide to using core indicators ", prepared by the United Nations with the aim of ios database promoting urban planning that cares for older people, some of the main elements that must be taken into account when thinking about physical spaces are:
Land use and planning
The design of public spaces and buildings
Home design options and cost
The design of means of transport
This guide points out that cities should be concerned with ensuring safe transit through streets and urban spaces, creating access for different types of social groups. This accessibility should be provided in public spaces, buildings and transport.
They also consider it important to guarantee access to housing and security for the elderly in order to ensure well-being in ageing.
The World Health Organization has listed some relevant aspects for physical spaces and buildings in outdoor areas intended for older people. These should address, among other things:
Well-maintained pavement, free of obstacles and with exclusive access for pedestrians
Non-slip flooring, wide enough for wheelchairs to pass through.
Security provided with good visual and auditory communication for pedestrian crossings, good lighting and police patrols.
Well-maintained public toilets adapted for people with reduced mobility.
To meet the different demands of older people, architects and urban planners can and should help promote autonomy by offering spaces and buildings that provide quality of life to the population.
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