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Locked down by inequality: Older people and the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Tine Buffel

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Sophie Yarker

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Chris Phillipson

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Luciana Lang

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Camilla Lewis

    (Newcastle University, UK)

  • Patty Doran

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

  • Mhorag Goff

    (The University of Manchester, UK)

Abstract

This paper develops the argument that post-COVID-19 recovery strategies need to focus on building back fairer cities and communities, and that this requires a strong embedding of ‘ age-friendly ’ principles to support marginalised groups of older people, especially those living in deprived urban neighbourhoods, trapped in poor quality housing. It shows that older people living in such areas are likely to experience a ‘double lockdown’ as a result of restrictions imposed by social distancing combined with the intensification of social and spatial inequalities. This argument is presented as follows: first, the paper examines the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on older people , highlighting how the pandemic is both creating new and reinforcing existing inequalities in ageing along the lines of gender, class, ethnicity, race, ability and sexuality. Second, the paper explores the role of spatial inequalities in the context of COVID-19, highlighting how the pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on deprived urban areas already affected by cuts to public services, the loss of social infrastructure and pressures on the voluntary sector. Finally, the paper examines how interrelated social inequalities at both the individual and spatial level are affecting the lives of older people living in deprived urban neighbourhoods during the pandemic. The paper concludes by developing six principles for ‘age-friendly’ community recovery planning aimed at maintaining and improving the quality of life and wellbeing of older residents in the post-pandemic city.

Suggested Citation

  • Tine Buffel & Sophie Yarker & Chris Phillipson & Luciana Lang & Camilla Lewis & Patty Doran & Mhorag Goff, 2023. "Locked down by inequality: Older people and the COVID-19 pandemic," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(8), pages 1465-1482, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:60:y:2023:i:8:p:1465-1482
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980211041018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dale Dannefer, 2003. "Cumulative Advantage/Disadvantage and the Life Course: Cross-Fertilizing Age and Social Science Theory," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(6), pages 327-337.
    2. Christopher Phillipson & Sophie Yarker & Luciana Lang & Patty Doran & Mhorag Goff & Tine Buffel, 2021. "COVID-19, Inequality and Older People: Developing Community-Centred Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Hannah Ramsden Marston & Linda Shore & P.J. White, 2020. "How does a (Smart) Age-Friendly Ecosystem Look in a Post-Pandemic Society?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-43, November.
    4. Hannah R. Marston & Joost van Hoof, 2019. "“Who Doesn’t Think about Technology When Designing Urban Environments for Older People?” A Case Study Approach to a Proposed Extension of the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-35, September.
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