Livable Communities – Planning and Implementation

Make a Plan and Get Going

After conducting a community conversation and an initial assessment, communities are encouraged to identify priorities, determine SMART objectives, and determine who will be responsible for each aspect of implementation. Depending on available resources, communities may wish to implement changes incrementally, and if necessary, focus on low-cost changes first.

Once you have a plan… now what?

• The most successful implementers of livable community initiatives have strong processes for systemically measuring and evaluating progress toward goals, and revisiting and adjusting the original plan as necessary.
• Depending on the objectives defined, implementation may require shifting finances or acquiring new resources to support goals.
• Funding opportunities potentially available from a broad range of partners looking to support initiatives to create more livable communities, including the federal and state government, philanthropic organizations, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Resources

• Aging in Place: A Toolkit for Local Governments
• Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices
• Making Your Community Livable for All Ages: What’s Working!
• AARP Policy Book 2013-2014: Livable Communities
• The Maturing of America: Communities Moving Forward for an Aging Population Overview: Planning for Multigenerational Communities
• Multi-general community planning: Linking the needs of children and older adults
• Creating a Livable Community: Engaging All Generations and Improving Quality of Life
• World Health Organization’s Global Age-friendly Cities: A Guide
• A Blueprint for Action: Developing Livable Communities for All Ages
• Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Blueprint: A Guide to Community Action
• Age-Friendly Communities: The Movement to Create Great Places to Grow Up and Grow Old in America