A Critical Review of the WHO Age-Friendly Cities Methodology and Its Implementation

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to review how the Vancouver Protocol and checklist of age-friendly city features have been applied in diverse municipalities, regions, states, and countries in order to determine the 'lessons learned' both from experience and from further scrutiny by gerontologists. Locations were chosen in North and South America, Europe and Australia to represent a variety of municipalities, regions, states, and countries. Published reports, online materials, and gray literature written in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish were consulted. Firsthand accounts from persons who have led age-friendly initiatives are included as well. The initiatives were selected from those with which the authors are most familiar, are in languages they know, and/or for which program materials are accessible. Several lines of enquiry have guided the exploration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)