Franz Lehner
Shaping the change. Regional economy and demography in the Ruhr area
Pages 206 - 216

Against the background of the current debate in Germany on problems of demographic change and an ageing society, the present article addresses the possibilities to shape demographic change and its impact on regional development. The main argument is, that on a regional level, both demographic change itself and its social and economic impacts, can be influenced even in the short term. Demographic change itself may be influenced by migration, more precisely by attracting families with children and improving integration of immigrants. Its social and economic impacts may be influenced by using ageing as a stimulus for innovation and business development. Conditions in the Ruhr area for these strategies are generally quite favourable. However, present institutional structures in the region constitute a strong impediment against an effective management of demographic chance.


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