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• 1. [Article] The Case for Age-Friendly Communities

  The report was funded by Grantmakers In Aging, an organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society. The movement toward age-friendly communities is growing, with the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Case for Age-Friendly Communities Author: Neal, Margaret, DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2016 The report was funded by Grantmakers In Aging, an organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society. The movement toward age-friendly communities is growing, with the key impetus being population aging. Beyond what individuals themselves can do to age optimally, the movement to create communities that are age friendly focuses on how the economic, physical, and social environments can be improved to address not only the needs but also maximize the assets of an aging population, for the benefit of all. Title: The Case for Age-Friendly Communities Author: Neal, Margaret, DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2016 The report was funded by Grantmakers In Aging, an organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society. The movement toward age-friendly communities is growing, with the key impetus being population aging. Beyond what individuals themselves can do to age optimally, the movement to create communities that are age friendly focuses on how the economic, physical, and social environments can be improved to address not only the needs but also maximize the assets of an aging population, for the benefit of all. Close

• 2. [Article] Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region

  Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region discusses the opportunities and needs created by the increase in older adults in the region. The 65 and older population is expected to more ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, Neal, Margaret B. Year: 2014 Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region discusses the opportunities and needs created by the increase in older adults in the region. The 65 and older population is expected to more than double over the next two decades, to over half a million people. Planning for the inevitable and unprecedented aging of our population provides an opportunity to improve our environments while becoming a leader in the push to create sustainable, equitable, and age-friendly communities. Title: Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, Neal, Margaret B. Year: 2014 Aging and Equity in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Region discusses the opportunities and needs created by the increase in older adults in the region. The 65 and older population is expected to more than double over the next two decades, to over half a million people. Planning for the inevitable and unprecedented aging of our population provides an opportunity to improve our environments while becoming a leader in the push to create sustainable, equitable, and age-friendly communities. Close

• 3. [Article] The World Health Organization Age-Friendly Cities Project in Portland, Oregon, USA

  The older population is increasing in size in Portland, the state of Oregon, the United States, and the rest of the world. Our cities and regions are vital to the support of this demographic shift through ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The World Health Organization Age-Friendly Cities Project in Portland, Oregon, USA Author: Neal, Margaret B., DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2007 The older population is increasing in size in Portland, the state of Oregon, the United States, and the rest of the world. Our cities and regions are vital to the support of this demographic shift through the provision of quality built environments, services, and social, cultural, and civic engagement opportunities promote healthy and active aging. Over the next 30 years, the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area will see dramatic growth in the proportion of the population that is aged 65 and older. Although the total population will increase by 47 percent, the 65+ population will more than double, growing by over 137 percent, to comprise 17 percent of the population in 2030, compared to 10.5 percent in 2000. Fueling this increase will be the aging of the baby boomers. As a city and a region, changes that will enhance the quality of life, independence, and well-being of our aging population can be made. These include addressing important needs that are identified, and taking advantage of assets and resources that an older and experienced population provides. Title: The World Health Organization Age-Friendly Cities Project in Portland, Oregon, USA Author: Neal, Margaret B., DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2007 The older population is increasing in size in Portland, the state of Oregon, the United States, and the rest of the world. Our cities and regions are vital to the support of this demographic shift through the provision of quality built environments, services, and social, cultural, and civic engagement opportunities promote healthy and active aging. Over the next 30 years, the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area will see dramatic growth in the proportion of the population that is aged 65 and older. Although the total population will increase by 47 percent, the 65+ population will more than double, growing by over 137 percent, to comprise 17 percent of the population in 2030, compared to 10.5 percent in 2000. Fueling this increase will be the aging of the baby boomers. As a city and a region, changes that will enhance the quality of life, independence, and well-being of our aging population can be made. These include addressing important needs that are identified, and taking advantage of assets and resources that an older and experienced population provides. Close

• 4. [Article] Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Planning for Our Aging Society

  The fact that the U.S. is aging is not new; many headlines in 2011, while not heralding the coming of the Boomers, were related to the demographic phenomenon of population aging, including those concerning ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Planning for Our Aging Society Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, DeLaTorre, Tomoko, Neal, Margaret, Carder, Paula C., Weinstein, Jenny, DeShane, Michael, Brown Wilson, Keren Year: 2012 The fact that the U.S. is aging is not new; many headlines in 2011, while not heralding the coming of the Boomers, were related to the demographic phenomenon of population aging, including those concerning the government's failed efforts to find solutions to budget deficits, questions pertaining to the future solvency of Social Security, and the extended debate over our nation's health care system. The aging population presents both challenges and opportunities for our region, state, and country in the coming years. The challenge for leaders and policymakers now is to better understand the dynamics that we are facing and to develop appropriate policy responses. Title: Periodic Atlas of the Metroscape: Planning for Our Aging Society Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, DeLaTorre, Tomoko, Neal, Margaret, Carder, Paula C., Weinstein, Jenny, DeShane, Michael, Brown Wilson, Keren Year: 2012 The fact that the U.S. is aging is not new; many headlines in 2011, while not heralding the coming of the Boomers, were related to the demographic phenomenon of population aging, including those concerning the government's failed efforts to find solutions to budget deficits, questions pertaining to the future solvency of Social Security, and the extended debate over our nation's health care system. The aging population presents both challenges and opportunities for our region, state, and country in the coming years. The challenge for leaders and policymakers now is to better understand the dynamics that we are facing and to develop appropriate policy responses. Close

• 5. [Article] Sustainable, Affordable Housing for Older Adults: A Case Study of Factors that Affect Development in Portland, Oregon

  Portland, Oregon, is considered to be a leader in sustainable development. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses have been innovators in policymaking and practice that is aimed at ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable, Affordable Housing for Older Adults: A Case Study of Factors that Affect Development in Portland, Oregon Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2013 Portland, Oregon, is considered to be a leader in sustainable development. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses have been innovators in policymaking and practice that is aimed at creating a more sustainable city. Despite population aging, little is known about how or whether planners and developers consider older persons in terms of sustainable development. Thus, this study examined the case of sustainable, affordable housing developed for low-income adults aged 55 and older. Interviews with 31 key informants were conducted in order to answer three research questions: What is the meaning of sustainable development in Portland, Oregon, as it pertains to affordable housing for an aging society? How and why has sustainable, affordable housing for older adults been developed in Portland? What are the policies that affect the availability and appropriateness of sustainable, affordable housing for older adults in Portland? The sample included individuals who influenced the creation of senior housing (e.g., urban planners, architects, nonprofit directors) and who were identified either because of their roles within local housing development or through snowball sampling. Six Portland-area developments provided the context for studying how and why sustainable, affordable housing for older adults was planned and created in the city. The findings suggested that introducing the topic of aging into the discourse of sustainable development will lead to a more robust meaning of the concept, which can aid future research, policy, and practice. Five elements characterizing sustainable housing for older adults were identified: physical accessibility; proximity to community services; infrastructure that connects housing with services; healthy living environments; and high-quality social spaces in and near housing developments. The findings also pointed to the need for sustainable development practices to pay attention to social equity and the equitable distribution of affordable housing, including housing for older adults. Several insights into how sustainable, affordable housing for older adults developed in Portland were gained (e.g., using government subsidies; involving aging experts in integrated design processes; intersectoral partnerships that led to the city becoming an early adopter in greening its affordable housing), as well as why such housing was completed (e.g., there was a collective public-sector response to meet the need for creating sustainable, affordable housing; an emerging culture of sustainable development in Portland; urban and regional planning efforts have begun to address population aging). However, the amount of sustainable, affordable housing remains insufficient to meet Portland's aging population. Reasons identified include: the absence of specific housing policy attuned to the needs of older adults in Portland; disconnects between housing and health care and supportive services; and lack of integration of older adults in the planning, design, and development processes. Room for innovation and improvement exists in regard to healthy, accessible, green, and affordable housing policies and the development of new models of housing for an aging population. Based on this research, 10 guiding principles of sustainable development for an aging society were proposed to inform future research, as well as planning and development efforts. Title: Sustainable, Affordable Housing for Older Adults: A Case Study of Factors that Affect Development in Portland, Oregon Author: DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2013 Portland, Oregon, is considered to be a leader in sustainable development. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses have been innovators in policymaking and practice that is aimed at creating a more sustainable city. Despite population aging, little is known about how or whether planners and developers consider older persons in terms of sustainable development. Thus, this study examined the case of sustainable, affordable housing developed for low-income adults aged 55 and older. Interviews with 31 key informants were conducted in order to answer three research questions: What is the meaning of sustainable development in Portland, Oregon, as it pertains to affordable housing for an aging society? How and why has sustainable, affordable housing for older adults been developed in Portland? What are the policies that affect the availability and appropriateness of sustainable, affordable housing for older adults in Portland? The sample included individuals who influenced the creation of senior housing (e.g., urban planners, architects, nonprofit directors) and who were identified either because of their roles within local housing development or through snowball sampling. Six Portland-area developments provided the context for studying how and why sustainable, affordable housing for older adults was planned and created in the city. The findings suggested that introducing the topic of aging into the discourse of sustainable development will lead to a more robust meaning of the concept, which can aid future research, policy, and practice. Five elements characterizing sustainable housing for older adults were identified: physical accessibility; proximity to community services; infrastructure that connects housing with services; healthy living environments; and high-quality social spaces in and near housing developments. The findings also pointed to the need for sustainable development practices to pay attention to social equity and the equitable distribution of affordable housing, including housing for older adults. Several insights into how sustainable, affordable housing for older adults developed in Portland were gained (e.g., using government subsidies; involving aging experts in integrated design processes; intersectoral partnerships that led to the city becoming an early adopter in greening its affordable housing), as well as why such housing was completed (e.g., there was a collective public-sector response to meet the need for creating sustainable, affordable housing; an emerging culture of sustainable development in Portland; urban and regional planning efforts have begun to address population aging). However, the amount of sustainable, affordable housing remains insufficient to meet Portland's aging population. Reasons identified include: the absence of specific housing policy attuned to the needs of older adults in Portland; disconnects between housing and health care and supportive services; and lack of integration of older adults in the planning, design, and development processes. Room for innovation and improvement exists in regard to healthy, accessible, green, and affordable housing policies and the development of new models of housing for an aging population. Based on this research, 10 guiding principles of sustainable development for an aging society were proposed to inform future research, as well as planning and development efforts. Close

• 6. [Article] Age-Related Shifts in Housing and Transportation Demand : A Multidisciplinary Study Conducted for Metro by Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, Final Report

  Understanding where middle-aged and older adults live, where they are moving, how they get around, and the factors influencing these decisions is essential for planning for the future. To gain an understanding ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Age-Related Shifts in Housing and Transportation Demand : A Multidisciplinary Study Conducted for Metro by Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, Final Report Author: Neal, Margaret B., Chapman, Nancy J., Dill, Jennifer, Sharkova, Irina V., DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, Sullivan, Kathleen A., Kanai, Tomoko, Martin, Sheila A. Year: 2006 Understanding where middle-aged and older adults live, where they are moving, how they get around, and the factors influencing these decisions is essential for planning for the future. To gain an understanding of the impact of age-related shifts on housing and transportation demand, Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, via its Institute on Aging, was contracted to conduct a review of the literature and to analyze existing key local and national data sources. A multidisciplinary team of faculty and graduate students was assembled and performed the work in the summer of 2006. The literature reviewed and the analyses presented here are intended to inform Metro's Regional Forecast and modeling assumptions and to stimulate policy discussions pertaining to managing the region's land supply and investing in transportation infrastructure. Title: Age-Related Shifts in Housing and Transportation Demand : A Multidisciplinary Study Conducted for Metro by Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, Final Report Author: Neal, Margaret B., Chapman, Nancy J., Dill, Jennifer, Sharkova, Irina V., DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth, Sullivan, Kathleen A., Kanai, Tomoko, Martin, Sheila A. Year: 2006 Understanding where middle-aged and older adults live, where they are moving, how they get around, and the factors influencing these decisions is essential for planning for the future. To gain an understanding of the impact of age-related shifts on housing and transportation demand, Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, via its Institute on Aging, was contracted to conduct a review of the literature and to analyze existing key local and national data sources. A multidisciplinary team of faculty and graduate students was assembled and performed the work in the summer of 2006. The literature reviewed and the analyses presented here are intended to inform Metro's Regional Forecast and modeling assumptions and to stimulate policy discussions pertaining to managing the region's land supply and investing in transportation infrastructure. Close

• 7. [Article] Measure for Measure: Benchmarking the Region's Future

  Through its Progress Board created in 1989 and Oregon Benchmarks, Oregon has been a leader in collecting and using data to discern statewide trends in dozens of different economic, environmental, and social ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Measure for Measure: Benchmarking the Region's Future Author: Barney, Don, DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2003 Through its Progress Board created in 1989 and Oregon Benchmarks, Oregon has been a leader in collecting and using data to discern statewide trends in dozens of different economic, environmental, and social arenas. Oregon was among the first U.S. states to set targets for the future in each of these categories, allowing its citizens to see how much farther we have to go to achieve livability goals. These benchmarks are grouped under three major areas of a state strategic plan: quality jobs for all Oregonians; safe, caring and eng aged communities; and healthy, sustainable surroundings. Is there real value in all this data gathering? Is it useful not only to government planners, but to policy makers in both the public and private sectors? If so, will Metro's performance measurements be adequate to rate regional progress toward a better quality of life? If not, what more do we need to do? Title: Measure for Measure: Benchmarking the Region's Future Author: Barney, Don, DeLaTorre, Alan Kenneth Year: 2003 Through its Progress Board created in 1989 and Oregon Benchmarks, Oregon has been a leader in collecting and using data to discern statewide trends in dozens of different economic, environmental, and social arenas. Oregon was among the first U.S. states to set targets for the future in each of these categories, allowing its citizens to see how much farther we have to go to achieve livability goals. These benchmarks are grouped under three major areas of a state strategic plan: quality jobs for all Oregonians; safe, caring and eng aged communities; and healthy, sustainable surroundings. Is there real value in all this data gathering? Is it useful not only to government planners, but to policy makers in both the public and private sectors? If so, will Metro's performance measurements be adequate to rate regional progress toward a better quality of life? If not, what more do we need to do? Close