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Buildings, Parks, and Other Outdoor Spaces
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“It is imperative that we provide opportunities to access public spaces with minimal barriers. The idea is to get everyone active and involved in their communities.”John Lewis, University of Waterloo) |
Organizations that may fit into this sector:
- Planning Departments (e.g. private, not-for-profit, provincial, federal)
- Municipal Departments (e.g. Planning, Economic Development ,Parks and Recreation)
- Conservation Authorities
- Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects
How do buildings and outdoor spaces contribute to an age friendly community?
Well planned, accessible and welcoming spaces that meet the needs of older adults, encourages active aging and participation thereby improving general health and wellness. There are additional benefits for an age friendly community located on the introduction page of the website.
How can policies, programs, and practices in sectors that build and maintain buildings and outdoor spaces, reflect the principles of an age friendly community?
What can sectors that build and maintain buildings and outdoor spaces do to help create an age friendly community?
- Use the three building blocks to identify the strengths and gaps of your buildings and outdoor spaces:
- Learn about programs and services that strive to make buildings, parks, and outdoor spaces in your community more inclusive
- Use the available resources below to get ideas on potential programs for your community to have a more age friendly built environment
What are some additional resources?
- World Health Organization Buildings, Parks, and Outdoor spaces Checklist
- A 12 point checklist of buildings, parks, and outdoor space features for an age friendly community
- Remote and Rural Checklist
- A list of key features, barriers, and suggestions for improving buildings and outdoor spaces in age friendly communities
- Planning By Design: A Healthy Communities Handbook
- A handbook created by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to share planning and design strategies for a more healthy community
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities – Accessible Built Environments
- The most current information about Ontario’s accessibility standards regarding accessible build environments for persons with disabilities
- Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
- Resources, articles, and tools including “All Abilities Welcome Toolkit” available online or by mail (for free)
- Canada Walks
- A website of resources, tool kits, best practices, case studies, and strategies for improving the walkability of your community
- National Complete Streets Coalition
- A variety of fact sheets, resources, and reports related to improving streets in communities
- Canadian Urban Institute Articles and presentations on the topic of aging and mobility
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