Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide

A livable community is one that has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options, which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life. Because there are many aspects of a livable community, the AARP Public Policy Institute developed this evaluation guide to help residents, advocates, and local leaders identify areas of success and potential opportunities for improvement in their community.

Written by a team from the Herberger Center for Design Excellence at Arizona State University, the guide encourages people to take a new look at the community or neighborhood in which they live. Although written from the perspective of persons age 50 and older, the topics are applicable to residents of all ages and abilities.

Based in large part on focus groups regarding the perceptions and availability of features that make a community livable, the Guide is a significant update of the 2000 edition. With expanded content and photos, the Guide includes chapters on transportation; walkability; safety and security; shopping; housing; health services; recreation and cultural activities; and other community services. (154 pages)

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