Active Ageing in Inclusive Urban Social Innovation

Abstract

In response to the demographic shift toward ageing populations, this review explores how active ageing can be supported through Inclusive Urban Social Innovation Ecosystems (IUSIE) embedded within smart cities. The study defines IUSIE as complex adaptive systems in which multiple stakeholders—public authorities, civil society, academia, and private actors—collaborate to promote health, participation, and security for older adults. Based on an interdisciplinary literature review and an analytical framework informed by recent European and global policy initiatives, the article validates three central hypotheses: (H1) smart cities function effectively as support environments for active ageing when structured as inclusive innovation ecosystems; (H2) inclusive social innovation plays a pivotal role in linking artificial intelligence and other smart technologies to ageing processes; (H3) inclusiveness in urban systems reflects and reinforces systemic adaptability. The article also synthesizes international case studies from Europe, Asia, and North America, emphasizing co-creation, citizen engagement, and digital accessibility as critical components. By combining concepts such as the 5P model, smartaging, and longevity-ready cities, this review outlines a comprehensive vision of age-friendly smart urbanism. The findings are intended to inform decisionmakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in transforming urban environments to support healthy, inclusive ageing for all.