This edited book is part of the Ageing in a Global context series. The book covers factors for consideration, issues and barriers, and the potential of designing age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC). A strength of this book, and a feature that makes it readable as well as relevant, is that contributions have been made by both policy as well as academic researchers from different countries. This enables the bringing together of different perspectives. It is made up of 14 chapters that are split into three sections. The first section covers the background, theory and development of AFCCs. The second includes case studies from Europe, Asia and Australia. The final section covers age-friendly policies, urban design and presents the editors’ manifesto for future change.

The introduction chapter of this volume sets up key questions, different perspectives, disciplines/sub-disciplines and overarching challenges, alongside macro-level forces. Contributors to the book consider how different cities are responding to population change, how older people experience city life on a daily basis, the impact of growing spatial inequalities on older people and how cities can be developed to improve the lives of older people (p. 5). This book covers a range of perspectives and includes a discussion of various different strategies for developing AFCCs.

One of the key strengths of this book lies in the acknowledgement of the importance of intersectionality in understanding ageing, communities, housing and place (e.g. in relation to age, socio-economics and migration status), as well as the detailed description, discussion and multi-faceted nature of key issues related to AFCCs. A key message across the chapters is that a participatory approach and involving older people are central to AFCCs, as is the need to monitor and evaluate policies and strategies regularly in the context of rapid change. There is acknowledgement that there are wider issues that need to be considered, including crime, housing, population growth and turnover. A number of different areas are covered, including urban design, the changing shape of communities and age-friendly activities. The point is made throughout the book that ageing occurs in a multi-faceted physical and social context. A number of different country contexts are explored, including Australia, Ireland, England, Brussels, Germany and Hong Kong. It is unusual and refreshing to have these case studies and examples from different continents presented together in this way. Different historical developments are charted and key international discussions are referred to. The overlap of different issues is also highlighted, e.g. the ageing and health promotion agendas. While there are approaches that can work in different contexts, such as a multi-disciplinary team being a facilitator for the implementation of age-friendly initiatives, the problems with having a common framework with standard indicators are highlighted. Age-friendly policies in the context of austerity is touched on, as well as the importance of incorporating diversity in perspectives on ageing.

This book highlights both existing and new approaches to involving older people in the design of cities. It examines the potential of developing urban environments responsive to the needs of older people and at the end of the volume the editors provide a ten-point manifesto for the age-friendly agenda. It is focused around tackling social inequality and exclusion, as well as promoting community empowerment alongside addressing spatial injustice. The book refers to case studies, evidence and theories from many different disciplines in a complementary and informative way. These disciplines include gerontology (including environmental gerontology), architecture, sociology, social policy, urban geography and urban planning. Academics would find this book especially useful for the discussion and critical assessment of different theories, as well as the exploration of the complexities around intersectionality and ageing. Policy researchers and policy makers can understand the success and limitations of different strategies and policies implemented in various contexts and conditions. Students would also find this comprehensive and detailed volume useful to refer to at various points through their academic journey.