Epistemological assumptions of age-friendly cities: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective

To identify the concepts and theoretical perspectives that underlie studies on age-friendly city.

Methods

This is a scoping review using six databases to identify studies published in indexed journals between 2007 and 2021 using the keywords ‘age-friendly’ OR ‘age friendly’ OR ‘cidade amiga’.

Results

A total of 2,975 studies were found, which, after applying the exclusion criteria, resulted in 227. There was wide variation in the concept of the term, but many authors did so by replicating the WHO, and in 59.5% of studies there was no mention of any theoretical perspective. The ecological theory was the most frequent reference (26%), the term being used as an equivalent to active aging. Authors from four countries account for most articles (61%).

Conclusion

It is necessary to articulate the concept of age-friendly city with a theoretical and cultural approach to understand more deeply the urban and social perspectives under the logic of population aging, mainly for Latin America. Theoretical analysis in these studies and in gerontology will favor more critical discussions about aging, ageism and the growing social inequality in progress.

Ageism; Intersectional framework; Ageing; Aged; Healthy city; Social inclusion; Independent living