Developing Age-Friendly Cities: Case Studies from Brussels and Manchester and Implications for Policy and Practice

Developing age-friendly communities has become a significant dimension in debates in social policy. This chapter aims to provide a comparison of the age-friendly approaches in two European cities , Brussels and Manchester , with a particular focus on policies and initiatives that promote active ageing in an urban context. This paper examines: the demographic, social, and multicultural contexts of Brussels and Manchester; the ways in which both cities became members of the WHO Global Network of Age- Friendly Cities and Communities; similarities and differences in the age-friendly approach and actions adopted by both cities; and, opportunities and barriers to the implementation of age-friendly policies and initiatives. The article concludes by discussing key elements and resources needed to develop age-friendly cities.