About BLCP

The Burlington Livable Community Project (BLCP) is a ten-year endeavor initiated by AARP Vermont and the City of Burlington establishing a community-driven process for identifying and addressing resource needs as its residents grow older. During the past year, more than thirty stakeholder organizations and hundreds of residents have united to articulate a vision for how to make Burlington more livable for everyone but particularly for those 50 and older. Specific action items have been identified to:

• improve housing options and delivery of home-based services;
• increase transportation options; and
• further opportunities for community engagement among Burlington's older residents.

Background

Since 1999, AARP at the national level has led an ongoing effort to promote and expand livable communities for older adults. They have published two livable community evaluation guides and Beyond 50.05 A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging. In 2006, AARP Vermont was selected by AARP's national organization to launch a multi-year livable community project in Burlington.

Like many other communities around the country, a significant portion of Burlington's residents are now over age 50. By 2010, it is estimated that those 55 and older will comprise 21% of Burlington's population. How do needs shift for an older population in the areas of housing, transportation, engagement opportunities, and service delivery options? How can the community acknowledge and increase the assets of an aging population? Through the Burlington Livable Community Project, Burlington residents, government officials, and service providers are working together as a community to identify and meet these challenges and enhance the livability for its older residents.

Focus on Housing, Mobility and Community Engagement

"A livable community is one that has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, adequate mobility options, which together facilitate person independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life." (Beyond 50.05) Project participants agreed at the outset that the initial focus would be on housing, mobility and community engagement because research indicates these are key factors contributing to successful aging. Residents and stakeholders recognized that these issues are best addressed in a synchronized manner that emphasizes the interaction between them and does not treat them as separate.

Community Process

During BLCP's first year the focus was on gathering information, assessing existing needs and resources, and drafting a long range vision for a livable Burlington by 2016. A large, diverse stakeholder group developed a multi-year work plan. Nearly 1000 of the city's middle-age and older adults contributed to four major research activities. In May, 2007 the results of this work were published in a report to the City: A Great City for Older Adults An Action Plan for Burlington. Since delivery of the report, the stakeholder group has prioritized an annual action agenda and established work groups to implement individual initiatives. Burlington residents will continue to be engaged as advocates, leaders, advisors, and volunteers to make sure action items are implemented.

For more information
Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur
AARP Vermont
802-951-1313
jwbrodeur@aarp.org

BLCP Research Activities

A series of focus groups for residents aged 50 and older, facilitated by the Snelling Center for Government. They discussed questions such as: What are your current experiences in Burlington in meeting your changing needs as you grow older? What is needed to be in place to make Burlington your city of choice for living as an older adult?

Several study groups formed to discuss key areas (mobility, housing, and community engagement) in greater detail and their recommendations were integrated into the multi-year work plan developed by the stakeholder group.

Thirty-five volunteers engaged in active research, conducting pedestrian evaluations along seven key routes regularly traversed by many older residents in Burlington. Crosswalk lights were timed, pot holes and challenging curb cuts were noted, and public bathrooms and benches were documented if present. The findings were compiled and presented to City officials.

In November 2006, 800 Burlington residents age 45 and older participated in an extensive city-wide telephone survey, enabling BLCP to collect information on respondents' opinions and experiences related to transportation and mobility options, housing and neighborhoods, and community engagement.