In 2014, the City of Hamburg introduced a comprehensive demographic concept aimed at ensuring that people of all ages can live a good life within the city (Hamburg 2030 – Mehr. Älter. Vielfältiger.). Building on this vision, the City of Hamburg published an action plan for an age-friendly city in the summer of 2024.
This action plan is an interministerial strategy; the plan’s development started with an extensive participatory process, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, with a special focus on older adult residents from all districts of Hamburg.
Acknowledging that aging is a complex and multifaceted issue, the plan was developed with the active involvement of all public administration sectors. The World Health Organization’s criteria for age-friendly cities played a crucial role in shaping this plan. As a result, the plan outlines 105 specific measures across various sectors, each designed to enhance the age-friendliness of Hamburg.
The action plan comprises two major fields of action: “Participation and involvement into old age” and “Self-determined ageing in the neighbourhood”. All measures are guided by several key principles: presenting a differentiated image of aging, recognizing diversity as a reality, promoting aging without discrimination, supporting self-determination and self-efficacy, encouraging participation and co-creation, establishing demographically stable neighbourhoods, and enabling residents to remain in their neighbourhoods, even if they require care.
The action plan was adopted by the Hamburg Senate and acknowledged by the Hamburg Parliament (printed matter no. 22/15703, https://www.buergerschaft-hh.de/parldok/dokument/87828/aktionsplan_age_friendly_city_fuer_ein_altersfreundliches_hamburg).
In the future, the effectiveness of this action plan will be evaluated through scientific methods. The insights gained from this evaluation can provide a valuable foundation for future initiatives, ensuring that Hamburg continues to adapt to the needs of its aging population while maintaining its commitment to inclusivity and well-being for all residents.