Robin Boyle, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Wayne State University

Presentation Summary
Recent data provided by the Brookings Institution reports that while 25 to 30 percent of people in their twenties move each year to a new residence, only 4 to 5 percent of older American are changing residence. This statistic challenges the conventional wisdom that the elderly, especially those exiting the workforce, are choosing to move to new locations for their retirement. The implications of the aging of America – for the nation, for the economy, and for communities across the country – are stark and troubling. This presentation will review the extent to which local units of government are prepared for the population tsunami and examine the local economic development implications (negative and positive) of “aging in place”.

Research Interests
Professor Boyle’s ongoing research includes a policy assessment of how communities are responding to an “aging society”, the local music industry as a component of economic development, and the issue of vacant land in central cities. He is also involved with WSU’s Midtown Initiative, working to enhance WSU’s role and impact on the greater Midtown area.

Presented courtesy of the Mary Thompson Foundation- Please Attend

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