Accommodating Seniors and People with Reduced Mobility

In the past 50 years, the world has witnessed the proportion of senior citizens increase more rapidly than any other age group. In 1950, 205 million of the world population (approximately 2.5 billion) was aged 60 years or above. Half a century later, this figure had increased several-fold and is expected to reach two billion by 2050. It is therefore necessary to adapt urban environments to the needs of the aging population, and those with reduced mobility. As motor and mental abilities decline further among seniors, the need to pay attention to the design of urban features becomes paramount. This chapter discusses the design of urban environments for the aged and people with reduced mobility.