Age-friendly built environment
Changes to Peel Region's role in land use planning
On July 1, 2024, under the Planning Act, Peel Region was designated an "upper-tier municipality without planning responsibilities." Consequently, the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon are the land use planning authorities responsible for local and regional official plans and development applications. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority for certain official plan reviews and amendments.
What is an age-friendly community
An age-friendly community lets people of all ages engage with the community by providing opportunities to be active, maintain wellbeing, stay connected, and access relevant services, facilities, and programs.
Peel’s population is aging
Demographics show that Peel’s older adult population is experiencing significant growth.
Older adults aged 65 years and over increased by 20% from 2016 to 2021, representing the fastest growing age group in Peel. It is forecasted that nearly one in 5 Peel residents will be older adults in 2051, an increase from nearly one in 7 in 2021. Peel Region is supporting the vision to make communities more age friendly, where older adults have access to services that maximize their quality of life.
In June 2022, Peel Region completed an Age-Friendly Built Environment Assessment to gather information on the diverse older adult population in Peel and elements of design in Peel communities.
The report identified gaps and opportunities in Peel to address healthy, active aging, and universally accessible design in the built environment and public spaces.
It also provided 80 recommendations for Peel, local municipalities, and community stakeholders to support an age-friendly community by improving the built environment, policies, and services.
Recommendations focused on outdoor spaces and buildings, community support and health services, transportation, housing, social participation, civic participation and employment, and communication and information.
Peel Region and local municipal staff have coordinated efforts to implement report recommendations.
To learn more about how Peel Region and the local municipalities are supporting an age-friendly built environment, access the latest progress report.