By Nico Lopez, President, Otis Asia Pacific

Across Asia Pacific, people are living longer, cities are growing and infrastructure is being built and modernized at significant scale. Taken together, these trends present some interesting questions to consider: Are buildings and infrastructure prepared to support longer lives? And how do we help people remain mobile, independent and connected in the longevity era?

In a region where countries are at very different stages of demographic change, urbanization, and infrastructure development, the answer is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

India is a powerful example. By 2050, one in five people in India will be over 60. At the same time, the country continues to urbanize and develop. The opportunity is to think now about how new buildings and infrastructure, as well as existing ones, can support accessibility, independence and mobility for generations to come, and build or adapt accordingly.

Across East Asia, the demographic shift is already more advanced. South Korea is widely cited as having one of the world’s fastest aging populations. Japan recently surpassed 100,000 centenarians for the first time in its history.

Japan also illustrates another dimension of the demographic challenge. Its aging population and declining working-age population are contributing to persistent labor shortages. There, technology integration and automation play an increasingly important role. Across hospitals, hotels, residential high-rises and commercial buildings, autonomous service robots connected with elevators can support building operations while serving the people – of all ages - who use those spaces today and into the future.

Vertical mobility is clearly one part of the answer. In new construction, accessibility, reliability and ease of movement can be considered from the beginning. In existing buildings, modernization and new technologies can help places continue to meet changing needs. And throughout a building's life, reliable service helps keep people moving safely every day.

For me, that is what future-ready places should ultimately do: help people stay connected to the people, places and moments that matter most throughout their lives. The places we build, modernize and maintain will play an increasingly important role in making that possible.