Maple Ridge looks to ‘plan for longevity’ as population ages
Maple Ridge is taking a new approach to city planning aimed at helping residents remain active, connected and independent throughout their lives.
The city announced June 15 it is advancing a “Planning for Longevity” framework that will guide future decisions on housing, neighbourhood design, public spaces and community services as the population ages.
“Planning for longevity is about making sure Maple Ridge remains a community where residents can thrive at every stage of life,” Mayor Dan Ruimy said. “As our population changes, we need to plan for the housing, services, public spaces, and neighbourhood connections that help residents stay active, independent, and included.”
Developed through the city’s Housing Action Plan, the initiative shifts the focus from traditional seniors-specific policies toward a broader life-course approach that considers how people’s needs change over time.
The framework is built around three key principles: creating compact and complete neighbourhoods, proactively planning social infrastructure and amenities, and strengthening partnerships and local data collection to better understand residents’ changing needs.
A major component of the work involved an eight-month partnership between the city, graduate students from the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), and members of the Seniors Network.
The student team focused its research on Maple Ridge’s Town Centre neighbourhood, where a significant number of older adults live. Through community workshops, engagement sessions, site visits and research, the group explored how the area could better support residents as they age while remaining connected to community life.
Their findings identified several priorities, including improving pedestrian accessibility, expanding housing options that support aging in place, creating welcoming public spaces, increasing opportunities for social connection and strengthening links between community organizations and older adults seeking services.
During a presentation to council on June 9, students emphasized that aging should be viewed as a lifelong process rather than something that begins at a specific age.
“Planning plays a vital role in shaping local communities that support residents as they navigate this journey through their lives,” student Ana Mendez told council.
The students proposed a framework they called a “carescape,” which focuses on integrating physical infrastructure, community programming and social connections to help residents both provide and receive care as they age. The project outlined four major planning themes: housing, mobility, public space and community programs.
Recommendations included improving pedestrian connections through a proposed “Lifelong Way” walking network, encouraging care-supportive housing design, creating more public gathering spaces and exploring community care hubs that connect residents with services.
The work builds on Maple Ridge’s existing age-friendly initiatives. The city endorsed its Age-Friendly Community Action Plan in 2016 and became the first municipality in British Columbia to join the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in 2019.
Amanda Grochowich, the city’s manager of community planning, said the partnership provided research and community insights that will help shape future policy decisions.
“This approach helps us better integrate housing, transportation, public space, and social infrastructure so Maple Ridge can continue to grow as an inclusive and connected community,” she said.
City staff will continue refining the Planning for Longevity framework over the next year through additional research and public engagement.
A community well-being needs assessment is planned to identify service gaps and infrastructure needs, helping inform a future social infrastructure plan and other age-inclusive initiatives.
