Lincoln Day

Abstract

Adjusting to the historically unprecedented older age structures and high levels of urbanization now characteristic of industrialized countries requires changing both the built environment and human lifestyles. The ultimate goal is societies (a) where people are largely able to look after themselves, (b) where people are living lives of dignity and comfort as respected members of society, and where (c) lifestyles, social organization and physical layouts support coping, oneself, and the willingness and ability to render assistance and comfort to others. Prime intermediate goals to these ends are seen as: (a) less automobile usage, (b) livable cities, (c) provision of certain specific social services and facilities, (d) less use of age as a criterion for social participation, (e) devel-opment of coping and caring personality traits, and (f) more equal distribution of wealth and income.

Keywords: goals, means, ecological sustainability, demographic optimum

Lincoln Day, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute ,The Hague, The Netherlands Research School of Social Sciences, Department of Demography, The Australian National University, GPO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia