Environment that promotes active aging starts at the local level
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Head of Advocacy at MTÜ Kuldne Liiga
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Analyst at the Centre for Applied Social Research at University of Tartu
As societies age, fostering environments that support active ageing becomes an imperative of both policy and design.
Agu Laius and Janika Bachmann argue that longevity alone does not guarantee wellbeing; quality of life hinges on accessible, inclusive environments that empower older adults to remain socially, economically, and culturally engaged. Drawing on global best practices—from Japan’s universal design legislation to Finland’s preventative safety programmes—they highlight the local municipality as the primary site of transformation. In Estonia, initiatives such as Tartu’s “Age-Friendly City 2030” model integrate measurable indicators to design public spaces, services, and communication in ways that serve citizens across the life course. The authors advocate a shift from reactive to anticipatory governance, positioning active ageing not as a late-life fix but a lifelong societal investment rooted in dignity, access, and intergenerational solidarity.