Coastal climate change, vulnerability and age friendly communities: Linking planning for climate change to the age friendly communities agenda

Abstract

In light of the global, unprecedented and enduring phenomenon of population ageing, cities and communities across the world have committed themselves to establishing and implementing age friendly community designs, programs, services and practices. In Canada, there has been a particular interest in promoting ‘age friendliness’ in rural and remote communities where there is often a concentration of older residents and limited access to services and supports. Our study examines the connection between social and place vulnerability and the development of ‘age friendly’ communities in one Canadian province, Nova Scotia—a province that is at the forefront of the aging trend. Specifically, we look at how infrastructure and assets important to vulnerable seniors in rural communities may be affected by coastal climate change and consider how communities can better plan for such eventualities. This work highlights the importance of linking age friendly community initiatives to proactive planning practices. Substantively, we demonstrate the lack of attention to place vulnerability within the age-friendly communities framework.