Age-Friendly Communities Hamilton November 23
Principles to help us develop age-friendly communities
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Age Friendly CommunitiesHamilton
November 23, 2009
Glenn Miller, FCIP, RPP, VP Education and Research,
CUI
• The demographic tsunami is upon us
• Mobility is vital to maintaining
quality of life
• We need to rethink and retrofit
• Principles to guide us
Why are we talking about age-friendly communities?
Age Category
55-64 “Seniors in training”
65-74 Young-old
75-84 Old
85+ Old-old
Who are seniors:Four key age cohorts
The Demographic Tsunami 1961
1 Canadian in 14 is 65+
The Demographic Tsunami 2001
1 Canadian in 8 is 65+
The Demographic Tsunami 2021
1 Canadian in 5 is 65+
The Demographic Tsunami 2041
1 Canadian in 4 is 65+
How is Canada aging?
In 2031, there will be nearly 1.2 million Canadians over the age of 85The combined populations of:
Hamilton, ON500,000
Victoria, BC335,000
London, ON360,000
+ +
Source: “Canada’s Aging Population” by Health Canada and the Interdepartmental Committee on Aging and Seniors Issues, 2002
Fertility declining and life expectancy increasing…
We focused on the commute for 60 years..
…and built car-dependent suburbs
More older drivers than ever before
• Accident rates decrease 65+ but historically so do kilometers driven
• Accident rates & fatalities per km driven increase for 75+
• Fatal accident rate increases dramatically for 75+
• Older drivers account for increasing proportion of all traffic fatalities
• Projected fatalities for senior women drivers on the increase
Source: US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2004
Putting aging into context:The mobility continuum
Principles of Universal Design and New Urbanism
Universal Design New Urbanism
Equity of use Sustainability
Flexibility of use Mixed-use & diversity
Simple & intuitive Mixed housing
Perceptible information Connectivity & smart transportation
Safety & tolerance for error Quality architecture & urban design
Low physical effort Walkability
Appropriate size and scale Traditional neighbourhood & increased density
Quality of life Quality of life
Integrated design principles
1. Equitable and sustainable use2. Flexibility and mixed use3. Neighbourhood structure4. Transit-oriented5. Walkable6. Simple and intuitive7. Perceptible information8. Quality design, safety and tolerance for error9. Low physical effort10. Appropriate size and scale
Principle 1: Equitable and sustainable use
Emphasis on strong public spaces with no implicit or explicit privatization of the public realm
Encourages affordable housing options throughout the lifecycle
In up to half SFU residences, the zoning permits “legalized secondary suites”– perfect for students, guests, or relatives.
Sections 17, 22 and 34 of Planning Act key to as of right second suites
Integrated design principles#1: Equitable & sustainable use
Principle 2: Flexible and mixed use
Requires a mix of land uses, housing tenures (strata, fee-simple, rental), and housing forms interspersed throughout the site
Encourages flexibility and adaptability in building and public space design (townhomes able to be converted into storefronts, parks designed for multiple users)
Anticipates densification with future additions to the landscape to provide services suitable for seniors
Integrated design principles#2: Flexible and mixed use
Principle 4:
Transit-oriented
Focus density to create the critical mass of services and improve the odds for future transit
Intensification along corridors and opportunities for mid-rise apartments and other house forms that appeal to all ages
All residents will belong to the UniverCity Community Association with access to SFU recreational facilities and amenities.
Easy-Ride vans – Stratford area LHIN
Integrated design principles#4: Transit-oriented
Principle 5: Walkable
Encourage walking through the scale and distribution of development, allowing for easy access to amenities, recreational uses, health care facilities or shopping
Improve sidewalk quality, maintain in good condition, handle “mobility devices”
Decrease the width of roads and avoid crowding too many uses on sidewalks
Integrated design principles#5: Walkable
Principle 3:
Neighbourhood structure
Concentrate density and build at a human scale
Pay attention to solar orientation and wind impact
Integrated design principles#3: Neighbourhood structure
Principle 6:
Simple and Intuitive
Community design should be easily legible to visitors as well as residents
Should facilitate easy and direct linkages to destinations
Integrated design principles#6: Simple and intuitive
Principle 7: Perceptible Information
Integrated design principles#7: Perceptible Information
Appropriate signage to mode of transportation
Less visual clutter; simple and easy-to-read directions and signs
Principle 8:
Quality design, safety and tolerance for error
Community design should minimize hazards to residents (i.e. eyes on the street, appropriate roadway sizes, provision of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, traffic calming, and street lighting)
Integrated design principles#8: Quality design, safety and tolerance for error
Principle 9: Low Physical Effort
Community facilities and neighbourhood design should assist walkability and bikability and transit use Buildings should facilitate access and use by users of all ability levels
Integrated design principles#9: Low physical effort
Principle 10:Appropriate Size and Scale
Housing unit sizes, walking distances, street and sidewalk widths should be designed at a scale that allows all users easy access
Should be able to navigate by foot, bicycle, wheelchair or scooter
Integrated design principles#10: Appropriate size and scale