Aging in Place

With nearly 1.4 million adults age 60 and older living in New York City, a number projected to increase by 40% to almost 2 million by 2040, the need for age-friendly residential buildings has never been greater. Architects and the building community play an increasingly important role in ensuring that the city remains a safe place to grow old.

In collaboration with the NYC Department for the Aging, the AIANY Design for Aging Committee released the Aging in Place Guide for Building Owners this past July. A 21-member advisory panel of city agencies, design professionals, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and businesses assisted with the creation of the guide.

The guide offers a wide range of recommendations for renovations and improvements that protect the safety of older tenants and improve the quality of life for all residents. Using the guide, building owners can help residents remain in their homes as they age – safely, comfortably, and independently.

On 9.15.16, AIANY is hosting a publication launch for the Aging-in-Place Guide for Building Owners and the Aging-in-Place Toolkit’ from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Center for Architecture. Speakers include Krista Egger, Director of Initiatives at Enterprise Community Partners, and Chris Widelo, Advocacy Director at AARP’s NYC office, who will discuss the links between aging, health, and the built environment, and present AIANY’s Aging-in-Place guide. Interested members and non-members may register here.

Pulse Points

• On 8.16.16, The New York City Council approved Int-507, a bill intended to revitalize the city’s Waterfront Management Advisory Board (WMAB). The bill expands the size of the board to incorporate more community stakeholders and to engage more city agencies.
• On 8.17.16, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the availability of $98.7 million in funding to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path, and transportation-related programs, as well as projects that help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
• On 8.18.16, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city will fund $150 million in major improvements at five large parks in each borough under the new Anchor Parks Initiative. The investment will fuel major amenity improvements like new soccer fields, comfort stations, running tracks, and hiking trails.
• On 09.13.16, the U.S. Department of Energy will present a webinar entitled “Fall Tech Trends: Promising New Products from DOE’s High Impact Technologies Catalyst Program.” The webinar will include previews of new and innovative building technologies, and updates from DOE’s High Impact Technology (HIT) Catalyst program. Participants will also learn more about how they can engage with the Better Buildings Tech team to lower energy use in building designs.
• On 10.03.16, the new NYC Energy Conservation Code will go into effect. Any projects filing after that date will need to comply. AIANY is hosting a number of the Urban Green Council’s “Conquer the Code” training courses to help prepare commercial and residential architects and engineers. Find dates and registration information here.
• Postings for the New York State Parks Western Region term contracts are now available.  Registration is free and can be accessed through the Contract Reporter. Once registered, you’ll have access to all of the postings that are in the Contract Reporter.