Stimulating The Development of a Silver Economy in The Least Economically Developed Regions by Shaping Ageing-Friendly Cities and Communities

The article presented the problems of the development of the silver economy and the formation of aged-friendly cities and communities in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship in Poland, one of the least economically developed regions of the European Union. The analysis was based on the results of the survey, which included 2120 seniors, taking into account the division into rural areas and cities of different sizes.

The aim of the study was to identify the needs of seniors and their expectations related to active aging, so that their potential for the development of a silver economy could be determined. There was also an attempt to identify factors limiting the development of senior activity, which are critical to the development of a particular model business small and medium-sized enterprises in less developed regions with a large share of rural and small and medium-sized cities. The article also provides an analysis of the determinants that increase seniors’ self-reliance so that it is possible to plan for the development of public spaces tailored to the needs of the elderly, which is an action for the benefit of all residents, entrepreneurs and the entire economy of the region.

The study indicated to the necessity for conducting local level and quality of life studies, market research and social attitudes studies involving seniors. This makes it possible to counteract the stereotypical approach to old age and to accurately identify areas of strategic interventions in the context of adapting cities and rural areas to the ageing phenomenon of population.