ABSTRACT
The local environment is likely to be crucial to older persons, arguably even more so than for younger people, being the milieu in which they live and which therefore creates or hinders opportunities for ageing in place. In urban settings in particular, the physical townscape is likely to be of great significance to older persons and underpins their potential quality of life. It is also nevertheless important to remember that age per se is not the only issue, as an urban environment that is friendly for older people is also likely to be suitable for other age groups, too. Therefore careful environmental design will benefit all citizens. The Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in 2002 decided as one of its three priority directions the ensuring of enabling and supporting environments for older persons and their families (United Nations, 2002a). Within this priority direction, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing identifies housing and the living environment as the first issue.
