Great Cities Don't Just Acknowledge That We Age In Them -- They Build For It. We Can Too.

[ZDU]

DU doesn't currently have an urban planning, city planning, urban design, people-focused planning forum, yet I remain optimistic!

"We age in sidewalks, public spaces, transit stops, and community centers — not in hospitals. As populations age, the built environment will determine whether our cities thrive or struggle in the decades ahead."

More here:
https://www.planetizen.com/features/136618-great-cities-dont-just-acknowledge-we-age-them-they-build-it-we-can-too

[dickthegrouch]

1. I've loved Kobenhavn since I first visited in 1987

Gorgeous city, gorgeous people.
There is definitely a different way of life there.
In fact many other countries treat their aging citizens very differently from the US, where I've heard the notion that we're just "useless eaters" once we retire.
Isolation is a continual battle, but all of us are contributing to society, still, in one way or another, even if we happen to be infirm, comatose, or dying.

Congratulations to the city of Kobenhavn, and the Danish people, for being so generous and pragmatic.

[ZDU]

4. Thanks for the input!

I hope to one day visit & see it myself!

[eppur_se_muova]

2. from the article -- Jan Gehl's mantra kept surfacing: "Design life first, space second, and buildings third."

OH IF ONLY !! For most architects -- especially American architects -- it's all about designing "innovative" buildings based almost entirely on outward facades, not on functioning spaces to live and work. For many of these buildings, the best thing that could be done with the design would be to never build it in the first place.

[ZDU]

3. Great input!

You might enjoy the direction of the Congress for the New Urbanism, especially their Public Square forum. Here's the link:
https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare

Enjoy!

[Timeflyer]

5. Important subject, thanks for bringing attention.

[ZDU]

6. You're most welcome!