Session 1: Managing and benefitting from demographic change

1. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de Session 1: Managing and benefitting from demographic change Workshop 1A – Active ageing strategies: planning and adaptation of infrastructures to demographic change Overview Prof. Dr. Charlotte Höhn Director, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), Germany REGIONS FOR ECONOMIC CHANGE “Regional policy responses to demographic challenges” Brussels, 25 and 26 January 2007

2. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • A demographer’s view • Regional aspects of demographic change • Concept of active ageing • Work and health • Infrastructure for all ages • Housing • Tourism, transport and communication • Public spaces • Conclusions

3. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Demographic change • At the European/national level: • Unavoidable ageing of population due to • fertility below replacement level (less children, youth, young adults) • increasing life expectancy (more elderly workers, young old, oldest old) • immigration may prevent population decline, but not ageing • immigrants are ageing too • At the regional level: • international and internal migration matter • different to forecast future migration flows • many cities will grow by internal and international migration • rural or disadvantaged regions loose young workers (and parents) to cities • rural or disadvantaged regions will age rapidly

4. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Concept of active ageing • Active ageing • is healthy ageing and enjoying longevity • increases inclusion, independence and wellbeing of the elderly • Models of active ageing • work (longer) for pay • voluntary work • sports/studies/hobbies (chess, music, gardening, reading) • family and social networking • Active ageing requires life course perspective • start healthy lifestyle early in life • lifelong learning

5. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Work and health • Workplaces for the elderly • a regional/local issue • reduce unemployment of workers 50+ • keep elderly workers employed • take advantage of experience and better health of the elderly • Health infrastructure for the young old • doctors and hospitals • sport clubs and facilities • Health infrastructure for the oldest old • ambulant services to maintain staying/care at home • homes for the elderly (institutional care)

6. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Infrastructure for all ages • The needs of children and youth at short distance • Nurseries, kindergardens, playgrounds • Schools of all levels • Universities or e-learning for all ages • Studies as higher education (18-25 y) • Fresh-up courses (25-60 y) • Third-age studies (60+ y) • A difficult choice in view of demographic change • to maintain infrastructure for children and youth • to expand health infrastructure for the elderly

7. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Housing • Cities, towns and villages are historically grown • Houses and buildings have a long life • Many houses are private property • Housing needs of the elderly • Most elderly want to stay at their home as long as possible • Flats often are not barrier-free, wheel-chair friendly • Houses often lack a lift • Costs of reconstruction • New construction • three/four-generations houses • serviced flats; seniors’ residences

8. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Tourism – a booming branch • Traditional tourist regions and space attract retired people for a secondary residence • The young old will remain keen travellers • Demographic ageing supports tourism • Transport – full coverage needed • The young old will wish to use their car(s) • The old old will switch to bus and train • Centralised schools and administration require transport facilities • Communication • Internet and email will communicate the future elderly • Not all administrative acts can be done electronically

9. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Public spaces • for all age (*** particularly for the elderly) • parks and public gardens*** • playgrounds • community centres*** • sports facilities*** • theatre and opera*** • library • galeries, museum • Reduced admittance prices for children and the elderly • Barrier-free access to public spaces

10. BiB Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung Federal Institute for Population Research Institut Fédéral de Recherches Démographiques http://www.bib-demographie.de • Conclusions • Rural and disadvantaged regions • prepare for more elderly people without neglecting the needs of young families • try to attract workplaces (also in tourism) and with that new workers/citizens • Cities • prepare for more (and ageing) immigrants • consider more institutional care needed because future elderly have more individualised lifestyles • Regional planning • maintain public transport (buses and trains) • expand road and highway network • adapt housing programmes, public buildings and spaces to the needs of the elderly