2024 AARP Livable Communities Workshop – From Conversation to Action

1. The Way We Build the World Tells the Story of Who We Think Belongs
Those are the words of Rebekah Taussig, a disability advocate and author who reminded workshop attendees that, at some point in life, everyone benefits from accessible and universally designed spaces. Gil Penalosa, a renowned livability expert and the founder of 8 80 Cities, spoke about intentional and relatively inexpensive ways to make public spaces more inviting to older adults, such as by including benches, car-free streets, and creative programming to connect people across generations.

2. Our Lives Are Interconnected — and So is Our Built Environment
Representing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Mariia Zimmerman emphasized that safe, convenient transportation options are crucial for older adults and people of all ages to stay connected. We cannot design successful parks or housing projects without addressing access. Speaker Grace Perdomo highlighted The Underline, which is enhancing mobility in Miami, Florida, by connecting transportation options with parks and public spaces.

3. Every Community Has Assets to Leverage and Barriers to Overcome
John Chin spoke about the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), which used an AARP Community Challenge grant to engage older residents in reimagining the Vine Street Expressway that divides the neighborhood in two. The PCDC’s work led to USDOT funding for Chinatown Stitch, a project to physically reconnect the community.

To build inclusive communities, local leaders must understand the diverse lived experiences within them, says Jonathon Stalls of Walk2Connect. He defines this “felt knowledge” as the insights gained from interacting with community members and understanding their daily lives. (Walkability audits using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit are one way to gather diverse community perspectives.)

Several speakers explained that when residents have a stake in the community, the community becomes more livable. This happens when local leaders seek input from a range of residents, including older adults, people with disabilities, as well as households representing different socioeconomic and cultural groups. The workshop’s community engagement panelists shared ways to create plans and projects with inputs that reflect the population.

4. Celebrate Small Wins
Infrastructure projects take time. Laura Poskin of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh referenced “hitting singles” — or celebrating smaller victories that add up to greater impacts. Highlighting small wins and telling the story of community involvement builds momentum toward greater outcomes, she explains.

The discussion panel featuring local leaders noted that engaging the community at the start of a project helps people feel connected to the small wins, which is crucial for long-term engagement, especially for work that will take years to complete.

5. Take Advantage of the Moment
The nation's aging transportation infrastructure and housing supply are stressed. A focus on both should include designing and redesigning systems and structures for access by all users. Rebekah Taussig called for strategic building practices to ensure that homes meet evolving needs over time.

Elected officials who spoke at the workshop, including Crystal Hudson, a member of the New York City Council, proposed mandating universal design features through legislation. Stephanie Terry, the mayor of Evansville, Indiana, is leveraging affordable housing funds to build accessible housing. Other noted that because many parks and public spaces experienced a renaissance moment during the pandemic, there’s an opportunity to expand on those community-focused efforts.

6. We Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel
The workshop’s local leaders discussion shared how they inspire and receive inspiration from other communities through partnerships that enable them to learn and act. Cavalier Johnson, the mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, emphasized the importance of community ideas and connecting with other public officials to address similar issues. Acquanetta Warren, the mayor of Fontana, California, highlighted the importance of partnering with members of Congress to apply for and receive federal grant funding.

Community-level solutions, such as the Town of Bowdoinham, Maine’s Universal Design Guidebook and the ADU Design Competition hosted by the nonprofit City Makery in San Antonio, Texas, are replicable ways to address local housing challenges. Making its debut at the workshop, the free AARP Housing Design Competition Tool Kit explains how and why a housing design contest can improve local housing options. 

^{Page published November 2024 | Rebecca Delphia is an AARP Livable Communities senior advisor and Samantha Kanach, AICP, is an urban planner and livability consultant.}