Laura Karstensen

Investing in Our Future: Best Cities for Successful Aging

Joe Coughlin, Mark Friedman, Nancy Lamond, Henry Cisneros, Laura Karstensen

Projected to transform the U.S. population into a 410-million-strong demographic by 2050, the aging baby boomer generation is dismantling the traditional three-stage life model while creating a critical mismatch with urban infrastructure designed for younger cohorts. In response, experts advocate for a paradigm shift toward the "Longevity Economy," leveraging $2.5 billion economic potential from late-career entrepreneurship and retrofitting existing homes to support the 89% of seniors who prefer aging in place. Without accelerating institutional readiness to meet these urgent needs, society faces a widening gap between current infrastructure and the 2.8 million annual retirees demanding continuous engagement and intergenerational connectivity.