No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This dissertation examines the potential for professional/community planning to respond pro-actively and strategically to the impending demographic changes which will be brought about by the aging of the baby boom generation. This multi-phased investigation was designed to explore whether professional planning could uncover models and concepts which can be used to make cities and communities more age-friendly. Several conclusions can be drawn from the study. It was found that planners are not ready for demographic change nor are they prepared for helping create age-friendly cities. This is due to several reasons, including a lack of resources forcing them to concentrate on short-term, immediate issues; lack of power and credibility; and a perception that the elderly are a lower priority in society. For planners to become proactive and strategic in planning for age-friendly cities, they will need to re-examine their tendency to focus mainly on land use planning; focus on the long-term agenda; establish credibility with politicians; develop visionary skills; and become educators and facilitators, engaging key stakeholders and community groups. The data indicated that planners have a limited knowledge of gerontology. However, a high level of congruence was found between the newer planning models and key research dimensions in gerontology. If these two fields were to work closer together, each would become better equipped to produce knowledge which will help society deal with aging demographics. Evidence also showed congruence between the newer planning models, building age-friendly cities and the environmental agenda. Common factors such as urban intensification (particularly in the core), building more compact urban form and increasing multi-modal transportation options (including pedestrianism) help reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution and concomitantly help create an environment which is healthier and friendly to all ages, including seniors. Findings from this research are used to develop a hybrid “Wise Growth” planning model to encourage the development of age-friendly cities.

This dissertation examines the potential for professional/community planning to respond pro-actively and strategically to the impending demographic changes which will be brought about by the aging of the baby boom generation. This multi-phased investigation was designed to explore whether professional planning could uncover models and concepts which can be used to make cities and communities more age-friendly. Several conclusions can be drawn from the study. It was found that planners are not ready for demographic change nor are they prepared for helping create age-friendly cities. This is due to several reasons, including a lack of resources forcing them to concentrate on short-term, immediate issues; lack of power and credibility; and a perception that the elderly are a lower priority in society. For planners to become proactive and strategic in planning for age-friendly cities, they will need to re-examine their tendency to focus mainly on land use planning; focus on the long-term agenda; establish credibility with politicians; develop visionary skills; and become educators and facilitators, engaging key stakeholders and community groups. The data indicated that planners have a limited knowledge of gerontology. However, a high level of congruence was found between the newer planning models and key research dimensions in gerontology. If these two fields were to work closer together, each would become better equipped to produce knowledge which will help society deal with aging demographics. Evidence also showed congruence between the newer planning models, building age-friendly cities and the environmental agenda. Common factors such as urban intensification (particularly in the core), building more compact urban form and increasing multi-modal transportation options (including pedestrianism) help reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution and concomitantly help create an environment which is healthier and friendly to all ages, including seniors. Findings from this research are used to develop a hybrid “Wise Growth” planning model to encourage the development of age-friendly cities.

In order to promote active aging for persons with ID, discussions on new initiatives, for example, designing age-friendly communities have begun at the international and local levels. The overall goal of this qualitative research study was to identify features of an age-friendly community from the perspective of older adults with ID, themselves, their caregivers, and service providers. A total of seven individuals aged 45+ with ID were interviewed. In addition, a total of 15 caregivers/service providers participated in focus group discussions. Many of the current features of the city of Winnipeg do not adequately address the needs of persons aging with ID. A number of recommendations were made to make Winnipeg a more age-friendly community. The study was exploratory in nature, the first step towards development of future research projects to explore issues and intervention strategies more in depth to promote healthy and active aging among persons aging with ID.

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MyBao helps women to find eco-friendly alternatives for cosmetics, skin care and personal care products, while looking for sustainable solutions that contribute to the environment as well as their personal welfare. Our business will be a window for companies in the organic and natural care industry to reach out to a specific group of customers who share the same “green” vision. In addition, MyBao’s platform allows for customers’ data collection, which will provide companies with real-time information of trends and preferences. Through an online subscription service, women will receive a monthly “surprise” personal eco bag, which will contain curated travel-size organic and natural products that will match their preferences and needs, according to a personal survey completed at the moment of subscription. Full-size products will also be available in our website for customers to purchase, should they like the products they were sent in their monthly MyBao. Based on the information collected from the surveys, MyBao can provide partner companies with valuable real-time information of customers’ purchasing trends (big data). MyBao’s business model allows for different sources of revenue streams: (1) monthly subscription fees by users, (2) cut/percentage from the sales of full-size products, (3) advertising and product “featuring” option for our partner companies to prioritize their products in our website, (4) big data sale to our partner companies.