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Page 7 When we look at the way San Leandro has developed over the last fifty years, we can clearly see a social contract that, in many ways, did not have our seniors in mind. Many neighborhoods and shopping areas are not walkable and do not feel safe for people with mobility limitations. We are overly reliant on personal vehicles. Technology advances and proliferates at a dizzying pace, and social connection has increasingly migrated online, where many seniors are not comfortable or trusting. All of these design choices have made it more difficult for our elders to navigate their communities. It has heightened their anxieties around crime and safety, and has pressured them into either moving faster, or retreating into isolation. Plainly put, our decades of ageist community design have led to the need for this current age-friendly movement, and ultimately, for a new and positive vocabulary and mindset around aging. The Importance of Diversity And just as different age groups complement each other with different skills and perspectives, San Leandro’s strength lies in its being one of the most diverse communities in the country. Racially and ethnically, the city is home to four distinct and significant populations: Asians (43%); Latinos (25%); Whites (21%); and African Americans (8%) (see Figure 1 on the next page). Youth under 24 years of age account for 27% of the population, while working-age adults between ages 25 and 49 account for 34%. Older adults over the age of 50 are the largest segment of the population (39%) (see Figure 2 on the next page). Our older generations also have a higher percentage of non-English speakers. Of the significant percentage of the population who speak English less than very well (28%), Asian and Pacific Islander languages account for the largest segment (19%), followed by Spanish speakers (7%). City of San Leandro | Age-Friendly Action Plan