Analysis in Selected European Smart City Districts regarding Ageing Population

Urban regions are changing at all levels. Technological and demographic change poses major challenges for urban planning and regional development. Evaluation from the report "Europe's demographic future" from2017, prepared by the Berlin Institute for Population and Development, illustrates the demographic development of the population 65+ by 2050. According to this, an increase of up to 55% of the population over 65 in Europe is forecast by 2050. Independence and the associated opportunity for a self-determined, autonomous life in old age is the wish of the aging population and is often accompanied by a changed form of living. But how can this predicted increasing demand and the associated range of infrastructure andservices be implemented and managed in urban areas? In order to identify the parameters and necessary framework conditions that influence the development of an age-friendly, smart city district, this paper deals with the comparison of seven European smart city districts and their offers in relation to their agingpopulation, for autonomy and flexibility also in old age. Modern forms of housing, shared flats, mixedconcepts of senior and students, where the collective is lived, are reality. Flexibility of use plays an important role here. Common spaces, accessibility at all levels, good public transport connections and an environment with the best infrastructure are indicators of self-determination even in old age. A case study of seven selected European Smart City districts focusing on "Living in old age" will be analysed and evaluated here. The selected European Smart City districts: „Malmö BO01“, „Stockholm - Hammarby Sjöstad“, „Vienna Seestadt Aspern“, „Hamburg – HafenCity“, „Helsinki – Kalasatama“, „ Helsinki – Jätkäsaari „ and „Copenhagen – Nordhavn”. Here, the ratio of offers for older people to registered residents +65 is analysed and compared: „Vienna Seestadt Aspern“, with 6.348 inhabitants and a population density of 2.645 inhabitants per km², has 2.39% inhabitants in the category +65, despite multiple offers, although various assemblies on the construction site D13 „Aspern Die Seestadt Wiens“ advertise with a focus on communalliving. „Hamburg HafenCity“, with an average age of 35,7 years and a population density of 1.893 inhabitants per km², has a population +65 of 9,2%. The percentage of one-person households is 37,6%. Here, intergenerational communal housing solutions can benefit from one another and form synergies. Another positive aspect in this district is the medical infrastructure, which with 13 established medical facilities, including a pharmacy, forms a good basis for an independent life in old age. The infrastructure and the necessary services are available in many districts. Society is currently undergoing a rethink, and thepopulation is also willing to accept these social offers. The percentage of the resident population +65 is still manageable in Smart City districts, but the result is that they are still relatively young. However, the population will change in the future and in 2050 there will be more old people than young people, even those currently under 65 will follow the demographic change with the desire to age autonomously and independently.