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Mobilising Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Creating Age-Friendly Cities: Case Studies from Akita and Manchester

Author

Listed:
  • Patty Doran

    (Sociology Department, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Sophie Yarker

    (Health Geography, School of Science, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK)

  • Tine Buffel

    (Sociology Department, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Hisami Satake

    (ALL-A Co., Ltd., Akita 010-0976, Japan)

  • Fumito Watanabe

    (ALL-A Co., Ltd., Akita 010-0976, Japan)

  • Minoru Kimoto

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

  • Ayuto Kodama

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita 010-8502, Japan
    Advanced Research Center for Geriatric and Gerontology (ARGG), Akita University, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

  • Yu Kume

    (Department of Occupational Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

  • Keiko Suzuki

    (Department of Nursing, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

  • Sachiko Makabe

    (Department of Nursing, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

  • Hidetaka Ota

    (Advanced Research Center for Geriatric and Gerontology (ARGG), Akita University, Akita 010-8502, Japan)

Abstract

Developing Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs) is an increasingly popular policy response to supporting ageing populations. AFCC programmes rely on cross-sectoral collaboration, involving partnerships among diverse stakeholders working across sectors to address shared goals. However, there remains a limited understanding of what mechanisms and strategies drive collaboration among diverse actors within age-friendly cities. To address this gap, this empirical paper draws on examples from a comparative case study across Akita (Japan) and Manchester (UK), two cities with distinct demographic profiles but both with a longstanding commitment to the age-friendly approach. Case studies were created through a range of data collection methods, namely, a review of secondary data sources, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, and fieldwork in each city. Key insights from the case studies relating to the mobilisation of cross-sectoral collaboration were categorised into three themes: leadership and influencing, co-production, and place-based working. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive; collaboration building through co-production and place-based working is essential to deliver age-friendly programmes, but these mechanisms rely on leadership and influence. Therefore, it is recommended that all three mechanisms be used to effectively mobilise cross-sectoral collaborations to collectively create AFCC and support healthy ageing.

Suggested Citation

  • Patty Doran & Sophie Yarker & Tine Buffel & Hisami Satake & Fumito Watanabe & Minoru Kimoto & Ayuto Kodama & Yu Kume & Keiko Suzuki & Sachiko Makabe & Hidetaka Ota, 2025. "Mobilising Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Creating Age-Friendly Cities: Case Studies from Akita and Manchester," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-18, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:73-:d:1562603
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