Advancing, leading and creating city regions and communities for an age-friendly world (25-27 March 2025)
Population ageing is the defining global demographic trend of our time and age-friendly environments are key to our collective response. Fifteen years on from the launch of the WHO’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, and with competing global agendas, the urgency for local action on ageing has never been greater.
Delivered over three days three-day summit will bring together around 200 leaders, policymakers, practitioners and researchers, working on this agenda from the UK and around the globe. It aims to increase understanding, strengthen commitment, and propose practical action for our age-friendly futures.
Built around the themes of advancing, leading, and creating age-friendly cities and communities, it will provide an opportunity for participants to discuss cutting edge research, be inspired by practice and connect to each other. Discussions and sub-themes will include local economic growth and equity, housing and health, neighbourhood well-being, and empowerment and participation.
The summit is made up of interconnected events, delivered by a partnership of the Centre for Ageing Better, the World Health Organisation, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester.
A global survey of age-friendly futures research
Panel 1 : Future age friendly cities: Towards sustainable and just urban ageing
Beatriz Fernandez, Associate Professor, Urban Studies, The School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS / Géographie-cités, Paris) will be a speaker on Tuesday 25 at the session “A global survey of age-friendly futures research”, Panel 1: “Future age friendly cities: Towards sustainable and just urban ageing” chaired by Dr Mark Hammond, Senior Lecturer, Manchester, Metropolitan University.
This session will push the debate on age-friendly cities and communities forward by addressing:
• How cities can be future proofed against climate, economic, and demographic change.
• The role of spatial justice in ensuring age-friendly policies benefit all older adults equitably.
• Strategies for sustainable urban design that enhance the resilience of ageing populations.
• Current research gaps and the future of age-friendly research.
Other speakers:
Ryan Woolrych – Professor in Ageing and Urban Studies,
Heriot Watt University Emi Kiyota – Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Judith Phillips – Professor of Environmental and Social Gerontology, University of Stirling
Jo-Pei Tan – Senior Lecturer, Integrated Health and Social Care, MMU
Programmes
The summit is divided into three programmes:
Three-day Conference (Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 March)
Leading and creating through policy and practice (Wednesday 26 only)
UK Network of Age-friendly Communities (network members only, Wednesday 26 – Thursday 27 March)
The event is now nearing capacity, so new registrants may be unable to attend. If you haven’t done so already, please confirm your attendance by emailing: agefriendlyfutures@oddityevents.com
Main Venue: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WD
State of Ageing Venue: Manchester Hall, 36 Bridge Street, M3 3BT
