ABSTRACT
Economic and demographic change is pervasive across small communities within developed economies. This chapter connects resource frontier ageing and economic restructuring processes with opportunities for place-based community development to develop communities for people of all ages and stages of life. As a result of the restructuring of resource-based economies, these communities have begun to experience resource frontier ageing. Community development involves processes that increase the capacity of individuals, groups and the community to collectively assess change, support collaboration and coordinate responses as they re-imagine and re-bundle assets to pursue new aspirations on their own terms. The challenges of managing transitions in ageing resource-based communities stems from incoherent public policies and processes that work against efforts to proactively engage older residents and address local planning and service deficiencies. Drawing upon the experiences of Tumbler Ridge, BC, the chapter provides insights into the role of older residents in responding to needs of an ageing resource-based community and supporting broader place-based development.
