Planning and Zoning for an Aging Population

America is on the verge of an unprecedented demographic revolution that will see the proportion of elderly increase to 20 percent of our population by the year 2050. This fundamental change in the composition of our people will create strains throughout society, not the least of which will be our inability to accommodate the housing needs of an aging population with our existing patterns of land use and development. This strain will be greatest in the suburbs, which will face the largest percentage growth in elderly residents with a housing stock least suited to their needs. Because the majority of the elderly desire to "age in place," these suburban communities will need to examine how they should change their land use plans and zoning codes to prepare for the demands created by this fundamental demographic change.