Age-friendly planning

The Regional Official Plan is a tool that can guide, support and direct the development of age-friendly policies in housing options, transportation, infrastructure, accessible outdoor spaces, and walkable communities.

The Planning for an aging population discussion paper, 2016 (PDF) shows consultation with the community and research on best practices. The Region reviewed age-friendly policies from our local municipalities, across Canada and around the world to get a better understanding on how to meet the needs of our aging population.

On February 23, 2017, Regional Council adopted Regional Official Plan Amendment (ROPA) 27 as part of the larger Peel 2051 Official Plan Review. ROPA 27 includes policies related to health and the built environment, age-friendly planning,

Peel 2051 policies include:

• encourage local municipalities to develop policies that support seniors to age in place;
• promote the use of universal design principles to create safer, barrier-free and inclusive environments in Peel; and
• direction to assess the built environment, including public facilities in existing neighbourhoods where there is a significant senior population.

As directed by the Regional Official Plan, the Region has completed an Age-Friendly Planning Built Environment Assessment. The built environment includes many areas in which people live, work, and play, like streets, road crossings, parks, and commercial areas. The project has gathered information on the diverse seniors population in Peel and elements of the design of Peel communities through:

• Demographic research to understand seniors in Peel Region.
• Conducting audits to assess the age-friendliness of sample neighbourhoods across Peel
• Consultation with older adults, seniors, caregivers, and organizations serving seniors.

In September 2021, focus groups were conducted to discuss the experiences of seniors, service providers, and caregivers in Peel. Please see the presentations under Supporting Documents below.

The June 2022 final report summarizes Peel-wide analysis and sample neighbourhood audits, and identifies gaps and opportunities in Peel to address healthy, active aging, and universal (accessible) design in all aspects of the built environment and public spaces. The report presents 80 recommendations for Peel, and external agencies in some cases, to foster an age-friendly community by improving Peel’s built environment, policies, and services.

• Age-Friendly Planning Built Environment Assessment – Final Report, June 2022.
  • Please note that the neighbourhood audit summary tables in report section 8.0, pages 36-65, are also available in a separate accessible format.
• Appendices A to D of the Age-Friendly Planning Built Environment Assessment, which includes:
  • Appendix A: Age-friendly Built Environment Audit Tool
  • Appendix B: Neighbourhood Typology Matrix
  • Appendix C: Spatial Analysis
  • Appendix D: Spatial Analysis - Data Glossary
  • Please note that the appendices include complex maps and tables which may not be legible to a screen reader. Accessible copies of the information are available upon request.
• Presentation slides to the Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee on this project and next steps.
• Video recording of the presentation to the Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee.

To prepare for the next phase of the project, Regional staff will review, determine the feasibility of, and prioritize recommendations for implementation.