Age-friendly city from the perspective of city residents: A qualitative study in İzmir city

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the evaluations of city residents regarding the age-friendly city context; it is a qualitative study conducted through in-depth interviews with older adults, local and central government representatives, academics, and NGO representatives in İzmir, Türkiye, adopting a qualitative methodology. The findings obtained through phenomenological approaches were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings, conceptualized within the framework of WHO’s age-friendly city criteria, revealed differences and similarities in the city’s needs for each resident group. In this study, which prioritizes the participation and needs of older adults, common needs for the city’s residents have been observed in terms of outdoor spaces and buildings, including sidewalks, elevators, access to buildings; for housing, unsuitable designs and high rent and housing prices; in terms of social participation, the presence of activities that promote social participation alongside difficulties in access and awareness; in terms of social and leisure activities, inequality in inter-regional service delivery; and in terms of information acquisition, communication, employment, and health services, deficiencies in adequate service provision and difficulties in access have been observed. To have an age-friendly city, it can be suggested to increase elderly participation in service planning for older adults, consider regional differences, and develop inter-institutional cooperation.