June 2026 Community of Interest Highlights
The Humber Aging in Community Education & Research (ACER) Community of Interest is a growing platform that facilitates the exchange of emerging trends, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of research opportunities.
Session Highlights: ISO, CSA Standards, and Smart Multi-Generational Communities
This session provided an overview of international and Canadian standards work focused on aging, accessibility, and inclusive community design.
The Speaker include Jeanne Bank and Mark Venning. Jean is an ISO standards expert with extensive experience in international standards development, particularly in aging societies and social policy frameworks. Mark Venning is a standards specialist and contributor to ISO TC314, with a focus on age-inclusive, intergenerational community design and smart environments.
It began with an introduction to the International Organization for Standardization (International Organization for Standardization (ISO)), highlighting its global network of 177 member bodies and over 26,000 standards. ISO’s evolution from engineering-focused work to broader social policy areas—including aging, sustainability, and AI—was emphasized.
A key focus was ISO Technical Committee 314 (ISO TC 314), which develops standards on aging workforces, dementia-inclusive communities, caregiver-friendly workplaces, digital inclusion, smart homes, and emerging areas like digital health. The newly published framework on smart multi-generational neighborhoods was highlighted, focusing on social inclusion, digital infrastructure, and global adaptability.
The role of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and Canada’s national standards system was also discussed, including consensus-based development, stakeholder representation, and the influence of standards on legislation, industry, and practice. Participants shared real-world experiences using CSA standards in accessible housing, building codes, and long-term care design.
The session further explored smart multi-generational neighborhoods, emphasizing co-creation with older adults, intergenerational engagement, integration of health and social care, and the importance of “digital plumbing” and community-wide infrastructure. The importance of aligning standards with sustainable development goals and global adaptability was also noted.
Finally, speakers highlighted the need for case studies and real-world examples to support future phases of work, with plans to collect and share global and Canadian models. The session concluded with a call for broader stakeholder engagement to support implementation and ongoing development of inclusive, age-friendly communities.
Resources shared by speakers in the meeting:
ISO 25553-1:2026Ageing societies — Framework for smart multigenerational neighbourhoods
Intergenerational Urban Planning by José Luis Castro - WHO
Centre for Universal Design Australia
Note:
The next Community of Interest (CI) gathering is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. We invite all individuals interested in participating in this important dialogue. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, student, or are committed to improving the quality of life for older adults in our communities, your insights and experiences are highly valued. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and the communities that support them.