The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially recognised Ghent as the first ‘age-friendly city’ in Flanders.
This new title recognises the city’s efforts to support the elderly. Around 15 cities in Belgium have so far been acknowledged, primarily in Wallonia.
According to the WHO, Ghent successfully caters to the needs and desires of its older citizens. This assessment was based on eight areas including healthcare and social participation.
City officials attribute this recognition to the active involvement of elderly residents. "In Ghent, the elderly are actively engaged through the council of elders, community fairs, surveys and consultation sessions," said an official on Tuesday.
The WHO has identified 1,606 cities and municipalities in 53 countries as ‘age-friendly’ globally.
