Aging Playfully: Reimagining Later Life Through Play and Planning

Abstract: In city planning, as in society, play is considered to be an activity only for children. But why? Play is a fundamental aspect of human nature. Moreover, it has incredible physical and mental benefits for people of all ages. In the public realm, play can cultivate, connect, and support relationships and community cohesion. I argue that play is particularly well suited to support the health and wellbeing of people as they age in older adulthood and should be considered a key planning consideration of age-friendly communities. Investigating the relationship between play, space, and older adult wellbeing offers an opportunity to challenge societal assumptions and expectations regarding later life, to reimagine the possibilities of play, and to rethink the potential of age-friendly communities. Maxx Hart is an Associate Professor and Director of the Population and Place Research Lab at Queen's University, Canada.