An IFA global initiative
Longevity-Ready Cities and Communities Accelerator
Connecting global city movements to build healthier, more inclusive and resilient communities for longer lives.
1 in 6
people globally will be over the age of 65 by 2050.
Where people live has become one of the most important determinants of healthy ageing, participation and resilience.
About the initiative
Designing Communities for Longer Lives
The world is experiencing an unprecedented demographic transformation. By 2050, one in six people globally will be over the age of 65, fundamentally reshaping the way communities are planned, designed and governed.
Housing, transportation, public spaces, healthcare, digital connectivity, climate resilience and community infrastructure all influence people's ability to remain healthy, independent and connected throughout longer lives.
Yet many communities were designed for different demographic realities. As populations age, cities and regions are increasingly confronted with challenges related to housing affordability and accessibility, mobility, climate resilience, workforce participation, social isolation, digital inclusion and equitable access to services. These issues are often addressed independently despite sharing common solutions and policy objectives.
In response, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is advancing the Longevity-Ready Cities and Communities Accelerator, a global initiative designed to connect these movements, strengthen cross-sector collaboration and embed longevity into the systems that shape communities.
Key Priorities
The Accelerator seeks to:
Connect
Global city movements, by strengthening collaboration across age-friendly, healthy, smart, resilient and sustainable city initiatives.
Advance
Longevity-ready planning, by integrating demographic considerations into housing, transportation, infrastructure, health, climate resilience and community development.
Share
Knowledge and innovation, through policy guidance, case studies, peer learning and the exchange of promising practices.
Strengthen
Local capacity, by equipping municipal leaders and practitioners with practical tools, technical assistance and learning opportunities.
Influence
Global policy, by positioning longevity readiness within international discussions on urbanisation, sustainable development and healthy ageing.
Upcoming event
29October 2026Thursday · 8:00–9:30 am EST
World Cities Day 2026: Cities Designed for Longer Lives
A Global Leadership Dialogue
IFA will convene leaders and experts working across ageing, urban development, sustainability and community resilience to explore how cities and communities can proactively prepare for longer lives by connecting existing urban movements, identifying shared priorities and strengthening collaboration across sectors.
Discussions will focus on three key questions
- How can age-friendly, healthy, smart, resilient and sustainable city movements better align their efforts?
- What opportunities and barriers exist for embedding longevity into urban planning, infrastructure and community development?
- How can collective action, knowledge exchange and capacity-building accelerate the development of longevity-ready communities?
This inaugural dialogue will help shape the direction of the Accelerator and establish a foundation for continued global engagement.
Get involved
Building Longevity-Ready Communities Through Collective Action
Creating longevity-ready communities requires collaboration across governments, city networks, international organisations, academia, civil society and the private sector.
IFA welcomes organisations and leaders interested in contributing expertise, sharing innovative practices, supporting capacity development and advancing partnerships that help communities prepare for demographic change.
Learn more about the Accelerator, the World Cities Day dialogue or partnership opportunities.
Acknowledgement
This initiative has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Hall & Prior.
