As Hamburg’s Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank, announced today, the city has joined the WHO Network of Age-Friendly Cities and is committed to continuously improving the lives of older people beyond legislative terms.
Previously, the Senate, under Green leadership, initiated the action plan “Age-Friendly City for an Age-Friendly Hamburg”, while the Green parliamentary group launched a dialogue and participation campaign in 16 districts of Hamburg. The Greens will continue to advocate for concrete measures in a future government to make Hamburg even more age-friendly.
Christa Möller-Metzger, spokesperson for senior citizens’ policy in the Green parliamentary group, stated:
“I am delighted that Hamburg is now officially joining the rapidly growing WHO Network of Age-Friendly Cities, which already includes 1,705 cities and municipalities. Hamburg is the first age-friendly metropolis in Germany, and that fills us with pride. Over the past years, I have listened to many older people across the city in numerous events, learning about their concerns and challenges.”
“Many of these insights have been incorporated into the action plan, which includes over 100 measures and was initiated by the Senate under the leadership of our Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank. In an age-friendly Hamburg, there is more accessibility and an infrastructure tailored to older people, such as public toilets, improved sidewalks, or on-demand shuttles in suburban areas. At the same time, we are addressing the issue of loneliness through more opportunities for social interaction, such as friendship benches and support for using smartphones and tablets.”
“None of this is a given—it is the result of Green policies that listen and are deeply committed to older people. By joining the WHO network, Hamburg is committing to continuous progress across legislative terms. We Greens will continue to work consistently to ensure that age-friendliness is tangible in everyday life. Because one thing is certain: we will all grow older—and in an age-friendly city, life ultimately improves for everyone.”
Press Release – Green Parliamentary Group, February 28, 2025
