Rapid population ageing and urbanization are reshaping urban environments worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing distinct challenges. The World Health Organization's Age-Friendly Cities (AFC) framework provides guidance for creating inclusive cities, but its Western-centric focus has limited applicability in diverse contexts. This scoping review critically examines how AFC models are implemented across the Global South by synthesizing findings from 14 peer-reviewed articles. The results reveal that housing, transportation, and community support services are the most highly prioritized domains in LMICs, while social participation, civic engagement, and communication receive comparatively less emphasis. Contextual factors such as economic disparity, cultural norms, and basic infrastructure strongly influence implementation strategies. Drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, this study proposes a revised, context-sensitive AFC framework that prioritizes fundamental requirements for older people in resource-constrained settings. The findings highlight the need for adaptable policies and locally grounded approaches to improve the quality of life for ageing urban populations in the Global South. Recommendations for future research and policy development are provided to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of age-friendly initiatives.

Authors:
Bowen Zhou, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Zhen Tian, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Bowen Zhou is a PhD candidate in Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University researching on social gerontology, with a current PhD project on long-term care preferences among Hong Kong older people residing in the mainland Greater Bay Area.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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