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2024 AARP Livable Communities Workshop: Designing for People of All Ages

Join us for a free, two-day, online event October 16 and 17 — 1 to 5 p.m. (ET)


spinner image Illustration promoting the AARP Livable Communities Workshop Designing for People of All Ages

Register for the Free Workshop!

Join us for both days — or just one of the two. A single registration provides access for whatever your schedule allows.

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP  |  SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

  • AICP certified professionals can earn certification maintenance (CM) credits from the American Planning Association for select workshop sessions. Visit the APA website to learn more.

This free, virtual workshop will explore how local leaders can design for people of all ages in urban, suburban and rural communities by:

  • Developing (and redeveloping) a housing stock that meets the needs of individuals throughout their life span to allow them to age in place
  • Ensuring that communities are healthy and well-connected with safe streets and accessible transit
  • Providing vibrant, multigenerational parks and public spaces that have the power to foster community interaction
  • Recognizing the value of community engagement strategies that ensure all lived experiences are valued and contribute to the decision-making process

Through four core themes — Housing, Transportation, Public Spaces, and Community Engagement — the workshop will share innovative solutions and best practices to design places that benefit people of all ages and abilities.

The schedule and planned line-up for Day 1 and Day 2 are below. 

Workshop Hosts:

Day 1: Wednesday, October 16

Keynote Address: Day 1

Mariia ZimmermanPrincipal Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

A livability leader with experience in both transportation and housing policy, Zimmerman will share how communities can leverage federal resources to design transportation systems that enhance safety, accessibility and equity at the local level for people of all ages.

Conversation: AARP Community Challenge Grantee Interview

Learn about an AARP Community Challenge-funded event inviting older residents to reimagine their neighborhood, which was divided decades ago by highway construction. 

Conversation: Local Leaders Taking Action

Learn how mayors are encouraging transformative change for safer streets through federal funding, such as the Reconnecting Communities and Safe Streets and Roads for All grant programs.  

  • Moderator: Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, AARP

Plenary Panel: Transportation

This panel will discuss the importance of designing inclusive transportation systems and streets that are accessible and safe for all users.

Closing Keynote Address: Parks and Public Spaces

A dynamic livability advocate and speaker, Penalosa will discuss how designing spaces to serve people of all ages and abilities can create vibrant, multigenerational places that have the power to strengthen a community. 

Day 1 Discussion Groups, 4 - 5 pm (ET)

Group 1: Transit YOUR Ticket to Independence

  • Transit leaders will talk about using engagement strategies to meet the needs of their community’s most vulnerable users and develop a transit network that works for all.

Group 2: Inclusion: The Keystone to Truly Intergenerational Communities

  • Learn how to use an inclusive, intergenerational strategy to engage people of all ages for community-wide change.

Group 3:  Let’s Talk: Parks and Public Spaces              

  • Join a discussion about designing parks and public spaces that welcome people of all ages and abilities.

Group 4: Designing Streets for All

  • Multi-model transportation advocates share insight into designing “Complete Streets” that provide a variety of transportation options in order to meet the needs of all residents.

Day 2: Thursday, October 17

Keynote Address: Day 2

 A disability advocate and storyteller, Taussig will discuss the need to think bigger and more critically about who has a seat at the table and the barriers that bar others from inclusion. 

Conversation: AARP Community Challenge Grantee Interview

Learn about an AARP Community Challenge-funded project featuring a "universal design" guidebook for residents.

  • Moderator: Noel Bonam, State Director, AARP Maine

Plenary Panel: Housing

Learn how livability features, such as inclusive and universal design, are crucial in the development and redevelopment of the nation’s housing stock so people of all ages and abilities can age in place.

Conversation: AARP Community Challenge Grantee Interview

Hear about the effectiveness and replicability of an ADU Design Competition that was funded by an AARP Community Challenge grant.

Closing Conversation: Community Engagement

Learn how local leaders can equitably engage community members to ensure that all lived experiences are valued and contribute to the decision-making process. 

Day 2 Discussion Groups, 4 - 5 pm (ET)

Group 1: Housing Diversity: Options to Promote Aging in Place 

  • Many older adults want housing options that are more affordable, compact and accessible. In too many places, such housing types don’t exist. Learn how local leaders are implementing housing options in their communities.

Group 2: ADUs: A Critical Piece to the Housing Puzzle

  • Our housing needs and preferences evolve throughout our lifetime. Learn how to advance accessary dwelling units (ADUs) as a key way to expand housing choice nationwide.

Group 3: Supporting a More Inclusive Community Through Universal Design and Visitability

  • Learn how housing advocates and architects are working to implement design features that enable homes to be livable for people of all ages and abilities.

Group 4: Civics 101: Empower, Educate and Engage

  • There’s power in designing a decision-making process that encourages participation from all community members. Learn strategies for engaging elected officials, and empowering and educating residents about the local planning process.

Information and inspiration for local leaders 

     

 

 

 

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