The World Health Organization officially designated Ottawa as a member of its Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, the same day city council released the Older Adult Plan.
The designation is a result of the collaboration between the Council on Aging of Ottawa and the city, for their Age Friendly Ottawa initiative, according to the city’s press release.
The WHO established the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities to “foster the exchange of experience and mutual learning between cities and communities worldwide,” according to its website.
Louis Plourde, the Council on Aging of Ottawa’s executive director, said in a press release that more cities and communities are “adopting an age-friendly approach to improving existing services and planning for the future in order to promote active and healthy aging.”
Coun. Mark Taylor, who chairs the city’s Community and Protective Services Committee, said in a press release that the Older Adult Plan is “a significant initiative” that “values the contributions of older adults,” and “offers opportunities for active living.”
According to the Council on Aging, some key features of an age-friendly community include well-designed, affordable and secure housing choices, affordable and accessible public transportation and supportive health community services.