Politics & Governance / Public Policy / Urban Planning & Governance

Why 'Aging in Place' is a Myth in Today's Cities: The Hidden Crisis of Urban Seniors

Tine Buffel, Chris Phillipson

We think staying in our homes as we age is the ideal. But for millions of seniors in cities, 'aging in place' is a cruel illusion. This video, based on groundbreaking research by Tine Buffel and Chris Phillipson, reveals how gentrification, rising housing costs, climate change, and inequality are pushing older adults out of their communities—not by choice, but by force. We explore the critical concept of 'spatial justice' and why the elderly are being systematically marginalized in urban planning. If you care about your future or your parents' future in the city, you need to see this. We break down the hidden struggles, the fight for the 'right to the city,' and what real age-friendly communities should look like. Don't let the myth fool you.