Challenges in implementing age-friendly cities:  A systematic literature review

Durgadewi Thurairaj; Siti Masayu Rosliah Abdul  Rashid; Nik Norliati Fitri Md Nor

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025334

Keywords:

systematic literature review (SLR)

age-friendly city

PRISMA

older adults

implementation challenges

Abstract

The paper investigates difficulties alongside potential answers regarding the implementation of Age-Friendly Cities (AFCs), focusing on older adult’s needs. The research based its analysis on 10 peer-reviewed research articles obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in which the authors followed the PRISMA criteria. Six major challenges exist to implement Age-Friendly Cities (AFCs): ageism, inadequate infrastructure, variable national policies, lack of funds, public ignorance about AFCs, and fragmented government structures. Several challenges within the development process are intensified because of poor policy implementation along with financial restrictions and the absence of coordinated urban planning methods. International organizations strive to develop areas that welcome everyone, yet developed countries stand apart from developing nations in their execution of accessible facilities. Developing nations encounter more significant challenges in funding infrastructure development alongside poor public participation than developed countries do with inconsistent policies. These examples confirm that our societies require immediate action for complete policy improvements together with stable funding systems alongside better urban development techniques. The research demonstrates why urban design must be adaptable and why communities need better social networks and active resident involvement to support healthy, active older adults living. The analysis brings together existing research to determine essential barriers in AFC deployment and elevation while demonstrating the worldwide importance of urban design and policy work to boost older adults wellness. The study reveals that aging-friendly cities must be developed by a harmonious effort between local communities and policymakers and urban planners to create neighborhoods that improve older adults population welfare across the world.
References
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6. Buffel, T., Phillipson, C., & Scharf, T. (2012). Ageing in urban environments: Developing ‘age-friendly’ cities. Critical Social Policy, 32(4), 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018311430457
7. Caro, F. G., & Fitzgerald, K. G. (2015). International perspectives on age-friendly cities. Taylor & Francis Inc. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315866772
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9. Golant, S. M. (2014). Age-friendly communities: Are we expecting too much? IRPP Insight, 5, 1–20.
10. Han, J., Chan, E. H. W., Yung, E. H. K., Qian, Q. K., & Lam, P. T. I. (2022). A policy framework for producing age-friendly communities from the perspective of production of space. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2031. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042031
11. Khan, M. M., Kobayashi, K., Vang, Z. M., & Lee, S. M. (2017). Are visible minorities “invisible” in Canadian health data and research? A scoping review. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-10-2015-0036
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19. Phillipson, C., & Buffel, T. (2020). Developing age‐friendly cities: Policy opportunities and challenges. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(1), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.18278/jep.1.1.7
20. Plouffe, L. A., & Kalache, A. (2011). Making communities age friendly: State and municipal initiatives in Canada and other countries. Gaceta Sanitaria, 25(Suppl. 2), 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2011.11.001
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22. Pumilio, V., & Steinman, B. (2023). Promoting intergenerational exchanges within rural age-friendly communities: A CBPR approach. Innovation in Aging, 7(Suppl. 1), 810–811. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.2616
23. Rémillard-Boilard, S., Buffel, T., & Phillipson, C. (2017). Involving older residents in age-friendly developments: From information to coproduction mechanisms. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 31(2), 146–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763893.2017.1309932
24. Scharlach, A. E., & Lehning, A. J. (2012). Ageing-friendly communities and social inclusion in the United States of America. Ageing and Society, 33(1), 110–136. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x12000578
25. Steels, S. (2015). Key characteristics of age-friendly cities and communities: A review. Cities, 47, 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2015.02.004
26. Swift, H. J., Abrams, D., Lamont, R. A., & Drury, L. (2017). The risks of ageism model: How ageism and negative attitudes toward age can be a barrier to active aging. Social Issues and Policy Review, 11(1), 195–231. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12031
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Thurairaj, D., Rashid, S. M. R. A., & Nor, N. N. F. M. (2025). Challenges in implementing age-friendly cities: A systematic literature review . Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(10), 2025334. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025334

[1] Ageing and Health (AAH). (2015, September 29). World report on ageing and health. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892415650422

[2] Artmann, M., Chen, X., Iojă, C., Hof, A., Onose, D., Poniży, L., … Breuste, J. (2017). The role of urban green spaces in care facilities for elderly people across European cities. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 27, 203–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.08.007

[3] Ayalon, L., & Tesch-Römer, C. (2018). Erratum to: Contemporary perspectives on ageism (pp. E1–E1). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_32

[4] Brasher, K., & Winterton, R. (2016). Whose responsibility? Challenges to creating an age-friendly Victoria in the wider Australian policy context. In Ageing in a global context (pp. 229–245). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24031-2_13

[5] Buffel, T., & Phillipson, C. (2016). Can global cities be ‘age-friendly cities’? Urban development and ageing populations. Cities, 55, 94–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.03.016

[6] Buffel, T., Phillipson, C., & Scharf, T. (2012). Ageing in urban environments: Developing ‘age-friendly’ cities. Critical Social Policy, 32(4), 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018311430457

[7] Caro, F. G., & Fitzgerald, K. G. (2015). International perspectives on age-friendly cities. Taylor & Francis Inc. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315866772

[8] Farhan, A. (2024, November 7). Ageing Malaysia urgently needs age-friendly cities. ISIS. https://www.isis.org.my/2024/11/07/ageing-malaysia-urgently-needs-age-friendly-cities/

[9] Golant, S. M. (2014). Age-friendly communities: Are we expecting too much? IRPP Insight, 5, 1–20.

[10] Han, J., Chan, E. H. W., Yung, E. H. K., Qian, Q. K., & Lam, P. T. I. (2022). A policy framework for producing age-friendly communities from the perspective of production of space. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2031. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042031

[11] Khan, M. M., Kobayashi, K., Vang, Z. M., & Lee, S. M. (2017). Are visible minorities “invisible” in Canadian health data and research? A scoping review. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-10-2015-0036

[12] Lui, C., Everingham, J., Warburton, J., Cuthill, M., & Bartlett, H. (2009). What makes a community age‐friendly? A review of international literature. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 28(3), 116–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6612.2009.00355.x

[13] Malaysia, Department of Statistics. (2020). Current population estimates, Malaysia, 2020. Department of Statistics Malaysia.

[14] Menec, V. H., Means, R., Keating, N., Parkhurst, G., & Eales, J. (2011). Conceptualizing age-friendly communities. Canadian Journal on Aging, 30(3), 479–493. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980811000237

[15] Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., Antes, G., Atkins, D., … Tugwell, P. (2009, July 1). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097

[16] Officer, A., & de la Fuente-Núñez, V. (2018, April 1). A global campaign to combat ageism. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.17.202424

[17] Ogugua, N. J. O., Muonde, N. M., Maduka, N. C. P., Olorunsogo, N. T. O., & Omotayo, N. O. (2024). Demographic shifts and healthcare: A review of aging populations and systemic challenges. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(1), 383–395. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0067

[18] Phillipson, C., & Buffel, T. (2017). Can global cities be age-friendly cities? Urban development and ageing populations. Innovation in Aging, 1(suppl_1), 745–745. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igx004.2690

[19] Phillipson, C., & Buffel, T. (2020). Developing age‐friendly cities: Policy opportunities and challenges. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(1), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.18278/jep.1.1.7

[20] Plouffe, L. A., & Kalache, A. (2011). Making communities age friendly: State and municipal initiatives in Canada and other countries. Gaceta Sanitaria, 25(Suppl. 2), 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2011.11.001

[21] Plouffe, L., & Kalache, A. (2010). Towards global age-friendly cities: Determining urban features that promote active aging. Journal of Urban Health, 87(5), 733–739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-010-9466-0

[22] Pumilio, V., & Steinman, B. (2023). Promoting intergenerational exchanges within rural age-friendly communities: A CBPR approach. Innovation in Aging, 7(Suppl. 1), 810–811. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.2616

[23] Rémillard-Boilard, S., Buffel, T., & Phillipson, C. (2017). Involving older residents in age-friendly developments: From information to coproduction mechanisms. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 31(2), 146–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763893.2017.1309932

[24] Scharlach, A. E., & Lehning, A. J. (2012). Ageing-friendly communities and social inclusion in the United States of America. Ageing and Society, 33(1), 110–136. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x12000578

[25] Steels, S. (2015). Key characteristics of age-friendly cities and communities: A review. Cities, 47, 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2015.02.004

[26] Swift, H. J., Abrams, D., Lamont, R. A., & Drury, L. (2017). The risks of ageism model: How ageism and negative attitudes toward age can be a barrier to active aging. Social Issues and Policy Review, 11(1), 195–231. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12031

[27] Tengku Aizan Tengku Abdul Hamid. (2015). Population ageing in Malaysia: A mosaic of issues, challenges and prospects. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.

[28] World Health Organization. (2007). Global age-friendly cities: A guide. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/43755

[29] World population prospects 2019: Highlights. 10 key findings. (n.d.). https://www.medbox.org/document/world-population-prospects-2019-highlights-10-key-findings

Abstract

References

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