As cities grow and the climate crisis intensifies, older people are among those most affected by extreme heat, drought, and floods. Reduced mobility, isolation, and exclusion from decision-making make these impacts even more severe. Yet, older people, especially older women, hold deep ecological and cultural wisdom, nurturing intergenerational care, food traditions, and community resilience through their work in urban gardens.
Recognizing this vital duality, vulnerability and capability, HelpAge International is advancing Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) approaches in Bogotá and Mexico City, transforming urban gardens into vibrant, age-friendly green spaces. By co-designing with older residents, the project integrates native plant species, water-sensitive design, and inclusive infrastructure to strengthen resilience and biodiversity. These gardens become living classrooms, where knowledge is exchanged across generations, and cities become healthier, more inclusive, and more climate-resilient for all ages.
During Urban October 2025, the initiative will highlight these experiences through a field visit in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá, to the community gardens of Brisas de Mariposas and Maravillas de la Montaña. Local leaders and gardeners, many of them older people and women, will open their doors to share stories of transformation: how urban agriculture improves wellbeing, fosters participation, and protects the environment. Through their voices, visitors will learn how EbA practices can help cities adapt to climate change while creating spaces that are accessible, inclusive, and life-affirming for older adults.
The event will bring together community members, and local HelpAge International partners to exchange lessons and strengthen collaboration. Together, we aim to reimagine our cities as ecosystems of care, where nature and people of all ages thrive side by side.
Name of Organization
HelpAge International
Event City and Country
Bogota, Colombia
Event Date
Event location
POINT (-74.154657 4.547311)