[GSES Colloquium No. 185] Demographic Ageing: An Opportunity to Rethink Economy, Society and Regions

Greetings,
We are pleased to invite you to the 185th Colloquium hosted by the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University. On Friday, June 27, 2025, Professor Mildred Warner from Cornell University will deliver a special lecture titled: “Demographic Ageing: An Opportunity to Rethink Economy, Society and Regions” We look forward to your interest and participation.

• Date & Time: Friday, June 27, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

• Venue: Room 113, Building 82, Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GSES), SNU

• Hosted by: Inclusive Planning and Policy Lab, BK21 FOUR: Educating Innovative Talent for Sustainable Cities in the Era of Great Transition, GSES, SNU

Presenter:
Prof. Mildred Warner (Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning + Department of Global Development; Director, Polson Institute for Global Development; Director, Local Government Restructuring Lab, Cornell University)

Moderator:
Dr. Namji Jung (Institute of Environmental Planning / National Research Foundation of Korea)

Discussant:
Dr. Miseon Park (Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements)

Lecture Abstract:
Ageing is often depicted negatively, but we challenge passive views, suggesting that an “active ageing” agenda requires rethinking economy, urban form and societal responses. Building from psychological the¬ories of ageing regarding disengagement and continuity, the presenter argues for an adjustment response at the societal level to address needed structural changes in economy, social policy and regional planning. These adjustments should prioritize well-being and purpose over economic growth; social policy that links household, informal and formal care and new approaches to urban and regional planning that remake cities for all ages. These societal adjustments will permit new approaches that could build a more inclusive world.

About the Speaker:
Mildred Warner is an international expert on restructuring local government services, how to plan for more child and age-friendly cities, and how to promote environmental sustainability at the local level. Decentralization has elevated the importance of local government worldwide, but social protection is challenged by devolution, privatization, and fiscal crisis. Cities must pick up the slack, and Warner's research explores how. She has authored more than 200 journal articles, book chapters, and professional reports and has received major research grants from government and foundations. Warner works closely with local government, planners, policy analysts, economic developers, and union leaders both in the U.S. and abroad. She received her B.A. in history from Oberlin College and her M.S. in agricultural economics and Ph.D. in development sociology from Cornell.

About the Discussant:
Miseon Park is a research fellow at Housing Research Division of Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. She holds Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Administration at Cleveland State University in USA. Her research interests include public housing, senior housing policy, and housing right.

This lecture will be conducted in English.
For inquiries: Jungmin Yi (yijungmin@snu.ac.kr)