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Implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities: probing the barriers through a systematic review

Alex Torku (Department of Building and Real Estate, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Albert P.C. Chan (Department of Building and Real Estate, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Esther H.K. Yung (Department of Building and Real Estate, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

Built Environment Project and Asset Management

ISSN: 2044-124X

Article publication date: 29 October 2020

Issue publication date: 20 July 2021

668

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers that hinder the implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Scopus search engine. Relevant keywords were used to discover 81 publications in academic journals. The titles, abstracts, keywords and full texts of the publications were examined to select 39 publications that were relevant for identifying the barriers that hinder the implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities. The contents of the 39 relevant publications were analysed to ascertain the key barriers. A system thinking approach was adopted to understand the interaction among the barriers.

Findings

The study identified five key groups of barriers – namely physical barriers and environmental characteristics, technological barriers, social barriers, financial barriers and political barriers – that smart cities encountered or are likely to encounter in implementing age-friendly initiatives. Moreover, practical examples of good age-friendly implementation practices were highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is in the number of publications reviewed. Despite the comprehensive review, the number of publications reviewed may not be exhaustive. This is justified by the inapplicability of considering all possible keywords in one review study.

Practical implications

The systemic perspective of the barriers that hinder the implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities would support policymakers in formulating policy recommendations to improve age-friendliness in cities.

Originality/value

This study underscores the variable and dynamic nature of developing age-friendly smart cities and forms novel basis for gaining insights into the multiple factors that can promote the integration of age-friendly initiatives within smart cities.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research is based on a larger scale PhD research study on age-friendly communities where publications with similar background/methodology/database but with different scope and objectives may be published.Funding: This work was supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Ph.D. Fellowship Scheme (reference number PF17-02405); and the Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Citation

Torku, A., Chan, A.P.C. and Yung, E.H.K. (2021), "Implementation of age-friendly initiatives in smart cities: probing the barriers through a systematic review", Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 412-426. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-01-2020-0008

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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