AARP Hearing Center
Background
Livable communities are beneficial to people of all ages, including older adults. They:
- offer residents affordable and accessible choices in where to live and how to get around as they age;
- provide access to essential goods and services, public spaces, and employment opportunities;
- equitably serve people of all ages, ability levels, incomes, races, ethnicities, and other backgrounds;
- support independence and social engagement; and
- promote health, public safety, personal security, and environmental sustainability.
Land-use regulations and zoning are essential planning tools that determine whether and how a community is livable, as well as its ability to meet the needs of all residents (see also Effective Planning). In higher-density areas, mixed-use development is an especially important tool. Benefits include:
- It allows housing to be located near shopping, office buildings, public spaces, cultural amenities, and other types of development. This proximity reduces the need for long commutes, promotes walkability, and fosters a vibrant, interconnected community.
- It is more likely to support a range of transit options beyond driving, such as public transit, biking, and walking. These transit options can promote positive health outcomes.
- It can support new land uses. For example, communities that have shifted from office-based work to working from home can more easily convert underused office buildings into housing when mixed-use development is allowed.
Mixed-use development contrasts with single-use development, in which only one type of use is allowed in each area. For example, a neighborhood might have just single-family homes or only commercial businesses. When this is the case, housing may be located far from shopping, offices, parks, and cultural amenities. Mixed-use development is more difficult to establish in rural areas because of the lack of density, though small towns are environments where mixed-use development often occurs.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a type of mixed-use development that is located within one-quarter to one-half mile of a public transit station. TOD improves transportation options and decreases transportation costs. At the same time, it increases access to jobs, food, and medical care. It also improves health outcomes by encouraging walking and biking while minimizing air pollution from vehicle traffic.
Another key consideration is the development of well-designed and convenient public spaces. These include parks, recreational facilities, community centers, libraries, and restrooms. These spaces can promote physical health, mental well-being, social interaction, and environmental sustainability. They also can bring a sense of community and social belonging.
As the benefits of livable and sustainable communities become more evident and well-known, the demand for them increases. This demand, as well as the limited housing supply in many of these communities, can result in high housing costs and displacement of current residents. Increasing the variety and quantity of housing types ensures that people of all incomes can live in a community (see also Removing Regulatory Barriers).
CREATION OF LIVABLE COMMUNITIES: Policy
CREATION OF LIVABLE COMMUNITIES: Policy
Mixed land uses
Policymakers should create livable and sustainable communities that promote independence and active engagement in community life (see also Effective Planning). In doing so, they should:
- allow mixed land uses. Housing should be located within easy walking distance of community transportation options, healthcare providers, essential goods and services, and public spaces.
- include a range of housing and transportation options that meet the needs of people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
- enhance residents’ physical safety and personal security.
Site planning: Policymakers should ensure that site plans submitted for new development or redevelopment adhere to accepted, modern site-planning methods and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Site plans should be developed through a transparent public input process, with sufficient notification to key community members.
Local government planners and engineers should be trained in modern site-planning methods and ADA requirements.
Community partnerships: Policymakers should encourage partnerships with a variety of community members in order to create and promote livable communities.
Location efficiency: Measures of housing costs should include transportation costs associated with housing location. Policymakers should publicly release data about combined housing and transportation costs.
Federal, state, and local governments should shape their housing and mortgage incentive programs to encourage residents to live near jobs, transit hubs, or other locations that reduce transportation costs and sprawl.
Housing variety
Communities should include a variety of housing types and sizes to accommodate the needs of people of all ages, ability levels, family sizes, and incomes (see also Increased housing options and housing supply). Residents should have access to community-based independent living options.
Transportation options
Communities should include safe and accessible infrastructure that provides a wide range of connected transportation options. Public transportation options could include heavy rail, light rail, buses, paratransit, and other community transportation options. To the extent possible, communities should offer alternatives to driving, including walking, cycling, and use of micromobility devices.
Access to essential goods and services
Residents should have access to essential goods and services, such as health care providers and grocery stores. Communities should include access to lifelong learning opportunities.
Public spaces
Public spaces should be:
- age-friendly and accessible, enabling all community members to benefit;
- equitably dispersed throughout communities; and
- sufficiently funded.
In developing and updating plans for public spaces, planners should seek and incorporate input from a broad range of community members, including older adults and people from groups that are discriminated against.
Communities should incorporate proactive measures in public spaces to mitigate risks from major weather events (see also Disasters and Extreme Weather).
Public spaces should maximize interactions among people from different backgrounds and ability levels. Any user fees should be reasonable and should ensure that people of all income levels can benefit from public spaces.