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