Gustavo Sugahara

Short bio

Gustavo Sugahara is an affiliate of the P2P Lab research collective. His main research interest is the relations between population ageing and economics. Departing from a broader demographic change perspective Gustavo is most probably the only living economist who does not see ageing as a problem. He has a Ph.D. from the Oslo Metropolitan University and a Master's degree in Economy and Public Policy from the University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal.

• contact: gustavo.toshiaki at gmail.com
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Long bio

My research focuses on population ageing under a broader demographic change perspective. When introducing myself I like to challenge my interlocutor by stating that I am the only living economist who does not see ageing as a problem. Despite the undeniable fact that increasing frailty is an important aspect of the ageing process, my research highlights the diversity of experiences people face under different contexts. I have paid special attention to the ageing process in an urban context.

This approach is important as a bridge between disciplines. Population ageing is an unprecedented phenomenon with a global impact. At the same time, the magnitude and speed of that change is not homogeneous. By acknowledging the importance of the contextual and relational aspects, and combining those ideas with concrete analytical tools, I have opened the possibility to new approaches both for researchers and policy makers, in particular for economists and city planners.

I have dedicated most of my career to investigating the ageing process in an urban context. Together with ageing, urbanization is the other major demographic trend shaping the organization of societies. I am particularly interested in the spatial relations within and surrounding cities.

I am an associate researcher at DINÂMIA’CET – IUL, Centre for Socioeconomic and Territorial Studies in Portugal, and Associate Member at IESE, in Mozambique. I am also a proud member of the African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN), lead by the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

Publications

• Sugahara, Gustavo (2017). A Critical Approach to the Demographics of Ageing: The Case of Oslo. CIDADES, Comunidades e Territórios.
• Francisco, Antonio; Sugahara, Gustavo; Fisker, Peter (2013). Growing old in Mozambique: Dynamics of well-being and poverty. ISBN: 978-989-8464-18-7. 66 s.
• Costa, Pedro; Magalhães, Miguel; Vasconcelos, Bruno; Sugahara, Gustavo (2012). O meio urbano e a génese da Criatividade. Borges, Vera; Costa, Pedro (Red.). Criatividade e Instituições: Novos desafios à vida dos artistas e dos profissionais da cultura. Part II, chapter 6. s. 121-149.
• Francisco, Antonio; Sugahara, Gustavo (2012). Idosos em Moçambique – Romper a Conspiração do Silêncio. Desafios para Moçambique 2012. Part III. s. 295-332.
• Costa, Pedro; Magalhães, Miguel; Vasconcelos, Bruno; Sugahara, Gustavo (2008). On ‘creative cities’ governance models: a comparative approach. Service Industries Journal. Vol. 28.
• Lopes Sugahara, Gustavo Toshiaki (2007). O envelhecimento populacional pode tornar-se estímulo de vantagem competitiva territorial?. Revista Kairós. Vol. 10.
• Costa, Pedro; Magalhães, Miguel; Vasconcelos, Bruno; Lopes Sugahara, Gustavo Toshiaki (2007). A Discussion on the governance of 'Creative Cities': Some insights for policy action. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift . Vol. 61.
• Lopes Sugahara, Gustavo Toshiaki (2005). O perfil do idoso brasileiro. Revista Kairós. Vol. 8.