The Aging Population and the Competitiveness of Cities: Benefits to the Urban Economy - Hardcover

`The authors deserve credit for "rowing against the stream" and asking our attention for the possible contributions of seniors to the urban economy. Hopefully their book will inspire researchers and students to continue exploring this issue in more detail. It may also serve as an eye-opener in urban policy circles as it pays attention to a segment of society that may have been overlooked in this age of "creative city" and "knowledge city" strategies.' -- Marco Bontje, International Journal of Housing Policy

While much of the current literature on the economic consequences of an aging population focuses on the negative aspects, this enlightening book argues that seniors can bring significant benefits - such as vitality and competitiveness - to an urban economy. The authors illustrate the ways an aging population can have a positive impact on urban centers, including the move by large numbers of seniors from the suburbs to the city, where their disproportionate consumption of education and the arts helps rejuvenate city centers. Given this, the authors conclude that a large and active senior population has the potential to assist a city in the achievement of its strategic economic objectives. The book includes analyses of the effects of population aging on best practices in 40 cities in the US and EU, with surprising results, as well as interviews with city officials and leaders. Academics, researchers and public officials in the areas of urban development, public policy and aging will find much in this original approach to interest and provoke debate.