International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Active living for older adults: management strategies for healthy and livable communities. 2003.
Summary: This article reminds us that active living is "a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines" and acts as a guide for government and planning officials to do just so.
General Concensus: Students were generally enthusiastic about this concise article. Discussion focused on what the planning community should do next to incorporate these ideas and combine planning efforts for the very young and old. One student appreciated how the article viewed older citizens as positive attributes to a community not drains on public resources. The table on page 4 describing what officials should know about older adults was also useful.
Additional Comments:
"To me, a big unanswered question is what this generation that is used to suburbs and cars will do as they can no longer drive. I wonder if the pressure from baby boomers to stay active will put political pressure to design more thoughtfully." (EPI)
"One of the issues not necessarily addressed in this article is whether or not aging people want to live actively. It is their desire to live independently, but they may not necessarily like to walk to take care of their errands and whatnot." (ENV H)
"For our MUP 1st year studio we have been working with the city to help them update a subarea plan for 2 holdout neighborhoods. The process has involved a community advisory group that is dominated by older residents who are strongly opposed to the city's suggested density increases in their neighborhoods. The first time I heard the phrase "aging in place" was working on this project, as the city has a large aging population and many adult care facilities. The article recommends New Urbanist ideas of walkable- dense cities and neighborhoods, yet this is something that older folks in Shoreline are fighting." (URBDP)