DEVELOPING AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR TURKEY

Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş

Article Details

DEVELOPING AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR TURKEY

Authors:

Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş

Publisher:

Balıkesir University

Main Topics:

İç Mimarlık

Journal:

Karesi Journal of Architecture Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.31-56

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352932

pISSN:

2980-1230

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The rapid increase in the elderly population necessitates that cities adapt effectively to meet their needs. This study proposes localized strategies for Turkey within the framework of the World Health Organizations WHO eight strategic domains for age-friendly cities. It examines the barriers to participation faced by older adults in Turkiye, particularly in terms of physical, social, and digital accessibility. Key recommendations include improving public transportation infrastructure for greater accessibility, creating spatial arrangements that support social participation, expanding digital literacy, and enhancing healthcare services in rural areas. Additionally, strategies are proposed to encourage the involvement of older adults in urban planning processes. These localized strategies aim to create age-friendly cities aligned with Turkiyes socio-economic and cultural context, fostering the effective integration of older adults into society. The study underscores the need for local governments to implement age-friendly strategies as actionable policies, building accessible, inclusive cities that support the independence and well-being of older adults.

 The rapid increase in the elderly population necessitates that cities adapt effectively to meet their needs. This study proposes localized strategies for Turkey within the framework of the World Health Organizations WHO eight strategic domains for age-friendly cities. It examines the barriers to participation faced by older adults in Turkiye, particularly in terms of physical, social, and digital accessibility. Key recommendations include improving public transportation infrastructure for greater accessibility, creating spatial arrangements that support social participation, expanding digital literacy, and enhancing healthcare services in rural areas. Additionally, strategies are proposed to encourage the involvement of older adults in urban planning processes. These localized strategies aim to create age-friendly cities aligned with Turkiyes socio-economic and cultural context, fostering the effective integration of older adults into society. The study underscores the need for local governments to implement age-friendly strategies as actionable policies, building accessible, inclusive cities that support the independence and well-being of older adults.

 The rapid increase in the elderly population necessitates that cities adapt effectively to meet their needs. This study proposes localized strategies for Turkey within the framework of the World Health Organizations WHO eight strategic domains for age-friendly cities. It examines the barriers to participation faced by older adults in Turkiye, particularly in terms of physical, social, and digital accessibility. Key recommendations include improving public transportation infrastructure for greater accessibility, creating spatial arrangements that support social participation, expanding digital literacy, and enhancing healthcare services in rural areas. Additionally, strategies are proposed to encourage the involvement of older adults in urban planning processes. These localized strategies aim to create age-friendly cities aligned with Turkiyes socio-economic and cultural context, fostering the effective integration of older adults into society. The study underscores the need for local governments to implement age-friendly strategies as actionable policies, building accessible, inclusive cities that support the independence and well-being of older adults.

 Yaşlı nüfusun hızla artması, kentlerin bu nüfusun ihtiyaçlarını karşılayacak şekilde uyum sağlamasını zorunlu kılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Dünya Sağlık Örgütünün DSÖ yaş dostu kentler için belirlediği sekiz stratejik alan çerçevesinde, Türkiyeye özgü yerelleştirilmiş stratejiler önermektedir. Çalışma, özellikle fiziksel, sosyal ve dijital erişilebilirlik açısından Türkiyedeki yaşlı bireylerin karşılaştığı katılım engellerini incelemektedir. Ana öneriler arasında, toplu taşıma altyapısının erişilebilirliğini artırmak, sosyal katılımı destekleyen mekânsal düzenlemeler oluşturmak, dijital okuryazarlığı yaygınlaştırmak ve kırsal bölgelerde sağlık hizmetlerini geliştirmek yer almaktadır. Ayrıca, yaşlı bireylerin kentsel planlama süreçlerine katılımını teşvik edecek stratejiler de önerilmektedir. Bu yerelleştirilmiş stratejiler, Türkiyenin sosyo-ekonomik ve kültürel bağlamına uygun yaş dostu kentler yaratmayı ve yaşlı bireylerin topluma etkin şekilde entegre edilmesini amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, yerel yönetimlerin yaş dostu stratejileri uygulanabilir politikalara dönüştürmesi gerektiğinin altını çizerek, yaşlı bireylerin bağımsızlığını ve refahını destekleyen erişilebilir ve kapsayıcı kentler inşa edilmesi gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır.

Article Details

DEVELOPING AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR TURKEY

Authors:

Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş

Publisher:

Balıkesir University

Main Topics:

İç Mimarlık

Journal:

Karesi Journal of Architecture Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.31-56

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352932

pISSN:

2980-1230

age-friendly cities

built environment

older adults

WHO

well-beingyaş dostu kentler

fiziksel çevre

yaşlı bireyler

DSÖ

sağlık-esenlik

Türkiye

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş

Publisher: Balıkesir University

Main Topics: İç Mimarlık

Journal: Karesi Journal of Architecture Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.31-56

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001352932

pISSN: 2980-1230

Issues

Authors:

Fatma Kürüm Varolgüneş

Publisher:

Balıkesir University

Main Topics:

İç Mimarlık

Journal:

Karesi Journal of Architecture Vol.4 Issue 1, pp.31-56

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352932

pISSN:

2980-1230