Is your city a place to grow old?

Imagine you've invited your grandmother or grandfather to a cultural activity in Mexico City. You don't have a car, so you'll travel by public transportation. The journey begins as you walk to the bus stop: the sidewalk is in poor condition, there's a pole in the middle, and a badly parked car. As you try to cross, the traffic light changes so quickly that you can barely take a few steps; your walk is slow and unsteady, likely with the help of a cane. Then, to board the bus, the steps are high and the driver is always in a hurry. Once at the cultural center, you find ramps, but to get to your assigned seat, you still have to climb stairs and go through narrow hallways. The question then arises: are the city and its architecture inclusive? The answer, almost always, is no.

 

That is the theme of this text: the relationship between older adults and the spaces we inhabit and travel through. We're not just talking about architecture or the city; we're talking about dignity, rights, and the possibility of living with quality of life at all stages of life

Senior people, disability, accessibility, active aging, city