s just as important for safely moving about in residential homes. One does not know when a temporary or permanent disability will occur. Recovering from an operation, a broken leg, or the birth of a child can be less burdensome in a home with visitability features. Moreover, a zero-step entrance is important for delivery workers or movers handling heavy and large pieces of furniture or appliances.
While spelling out design specifications is crucial, Smith says, “The spirit of inclusivity gives life to the specs.” Constructing barrier-free homes is the moral choice because it easy to, “create access in the great majority of new homes by not building major barriers that take a human toll on so many. Having the opportunity to be included and able to come to the party depends on the design.”
Charlotte, North Carolina, is one community that is applying these ideas. By integrating the principles of smart growth and active aging in its implementation of policies and practices, it is enhancing the quality of life for older adults. In 2005, Mecklenburg County adopted the Status of Seniors Initiative, which is a comprehensive set of recommendations to make Mecklenburg County more age-friendly by making improvements to the built environment. Over the past five years, Charlotte has used this adopted policy to organize and guide growth and development for the city. New growth has been concentrated in several key corridors and activity centers that have created higher densities, mixed-use developments, and a more walkable community.
More than 5,000 new housing units have been constructed. Sixteen miles of greenways, 88 miles of bike facilities, and 106 miles of sidewalks have been completed. By retrofitting dozens of streets and adding accessible ramps at intersections, the City has made improvements for pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Many communities look to Charlotte as a model for development that includes its centers, corridors, and wedges (growth strategy), Transportation Action Plan (policies and programs), and Urban Street Design Guidelines (complete streets guide). Charlotte incorporated senior-friendly design into street improvements, including increasing the size of its signage to cater to older drivers. Charlotte has also increased the number of crossing medians, provided longer and more audible crossing-area alerts, and continues to provide for pedestrian safety measures in project implementation. By focusing on the future of integrating transportation and land use, Charlotte will become a more sustainable, mixed-use city with a sense of community where elders can thrive. Charlotte, NC was recognized for its efforts to plan for the aging of its population and received the Award for Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Achievement Award (BHCAA) in 2010.
The BHCAA award represents a successful effort to encourage the adoption of smart growth policies and active aging practices. Communities are recognizing that growing smart ensures that existing resources are used efficiently and that open space and important habitats are preserved. And they understand that having a range of housing options makes it possible for older Americans to find a safe and affordable home. Older adults prefer to have the option to age in place and within their communities. Transportation and mobility options are also important and espoused in smart growth principles.
If the baby on the cover of the May 2013 issue of National Geographic really does live to be 120 years old, what will her housing needs be throughout her lifetime? How can design assist persons of all ages and abilities to live independently throughout the course of their lives? Are there other sustainable factors that might be incorporated into a building’s structure that will make it timeless and guarantee a long life for both its inhabitants and the building itself? Should centenarians have the option to remain living in a community-based home?
A number of communities are responding positively by planning for the demographic change occurring in their communities. The A