Paper long abstract:

This paper will explore the different ways in which research and evaluation frameworks can support the development of age-friendly approaches at local level. The presentation will outline the design of Manchester's own research and evaluation framework and consider the process of building and testing it out within a WHO-accredited city.

In particular the paper will assess the multiple roles that the framework is able to take on: for broadening engagement with age-friendly concepts (through stakeholder participation); as a leverage tool for cities to build and innovate age-friendly programmes (locally and nationally) and as a critically reflective intervention in current policy and debate around age-friendly concepts.

In addition the paper will consider the way in which the framework is able to generate new links between different professions and disciplines (such as architecture and planning) and will assess the degree to which new links such as these contribute to our understanding of both age-friendly concepts and practice.