Growing Smarter, Living Healthier

8/14/2019 Growing Smarter, Living Healthier

1/36

Growing Smarter ,

Living HealthierA Gu d S a G h a d Ac Ag g


2/36


3/36

Contents

Introduction 2

1. Staying Active, Connected, and Engaged 4

Where and how we choose to live can a ectour health and well-being

2. Development and Housing 8Healthy neighborhoods o er diverse housingchoices, gathering places, and ways to connect

3. Transportation and Mobility 12We can build choice back into our transportation system and make it easier or people o all ages to get around

4. Staying Healthy 19Finding healthy ood, keeping active, and getting help when you need it can be easier in an age- riendly community

5. Conclusion: Next Steps 26How you can get involved and act

Resources 29Links to more details and strategies

Community Sel -Assessment 31

1


4/36GrowinG SmArter, LivinG HeALtHier

Introduction

Age- riendlycommunities usS a G hp c pl s (develop-ment that improvesthe community,environment, econ-omy, and publichealth) b ch al h plac s g ld a db plac s p pl all ag s.

2

This guidebook is intended or older adults who are interested inhow our communities work and how we might help them becomemore age- riendly. Many o us have longed or the kind o age-riendly neighborhood that has di erent types o homes or peopleat di erent stages o li e; walking paths and public transit to make iteasy to get around without a car; and parks, shops, services, andhomes that are closer together. Older adults are nding that by designing new neighborhoods di erently as well as redevelopingexisting neighborhoods and roadways we can make places thatare healthier or ourselves, our neighbors, and the environment.Rather than let aging limit our options, we can actually become more independent by reducing our depen-

dence on the auto,increasing our travelchoices, and improv-ing our quality o li e right whenweve started tohave time to enjoy it. We can enrichour own remainingdecades, as well as

hand o a moresustainable commu-nity to uturegenerations. That is,i we decide to dosomething about it.


5/36

In this guide, we address thebasic principles o neighbor-hood and town design. But itis also intended to help youunderstand why community design matters, and how becoming involved in yourcommunitys decisions aboutgrowth can make it a betterplace in which to grow old.Youll nd suggestions or ideasto try, and links to resourcesto learn more about how to

remake your neighborhoods tobe easier to get around, wheth-er you live in a city, suburb, orsmall town. Well also give youa ew ideas or getting involved and staying engaged, providingmore housing options andgathering places, eating healthi-er, and making it easier to carry out your daily activities. A ter

all, our age group spans decades,and some o us are very active,while others have limitedmobility.

The rst chapter, Staying Active,

Connected, and Engaged, out-lines why our choices o whereand how to live can have animpact on our health and well-being. The next three chapters Development and Housing,Transportation and Mobility, and Staying Healthy outlinestrategies and include projectexamples that address these key

issues. Within each chapter, theWhat You Can Do section pro-vides some ideas or what youcan work on with your riends

and neighbors. The Conclusion:

Next Stepschapter summarizesadditional ollow-up ideas. Inthe Resourceschapter, youllnd links to more detailedstrategies, websites, and in or-mation about each o the ideasdiscussed in the guide. Weincluded a community sel -assessment checklist or you toidenti y what your community

is already doing, and where you might want to ocus yourenergy so get together, andget moving!

3

Active Aging c c p s (activities that increase

endurance, strength, fexibility, balance, and the principles o injury prevention) ca als bbu l c u y d s g a d d l p c u ag alk g, b k g, a d ac us

pa ks, s ha p pl all ag s g x c s h c u s da ly l .


6/36


7/36

What we need rom home andcommunity changes over time.Traditional downtown neigh-borhoods (pre-1950s) and ruralsmall towns have a range o housing types that t the needso individuals, couples, riends,and amilies throughout eachstage o li e. As we age, we may choose to stay near riends andamily in the same home (ag-ing in place) or neighborhood(aging in community) or choose

to move to a smaller, easier-to-maintain home or new com-munity. That choice directly infuences how we get around,how we stay connected, and howwe get help when we need it. Wemay also discover that we wantto be involved in how our com-munities grow and redevelop.

Age- riendly communitieshave gathering places that arewithin walking distance o homes, or a short bike ride,drive, or shuttle trip away.These critical neighborhoodmeet-ups can include parks,libraries, community centers,places o worship, gyms,Internet ca es, ice cream stores,

or neighborhood diners. Smallneighborhood parks, townsquares, and plazas are greatplaces to sit and read, catch upon e-mail, talk with riends, orwatch kids play. Larger parksand greenways can o er walk-ing trails, bike paths, andsports elds.

As we age in place, whether inthe same house or the samecommunity, these gatheringplaces become even moreimportant. Getting to thesemeeting places provides some o the physical activity that keepsus healthy. Being there in thecompany o riends provides thecritical social interactions thatkeep us connected and engaged.Being part o a community alsotriggers an in ormal network o

olks who might keep an eye outor each other. As a recent study o low-income Hispanic seniorsound, traditional neighbor-hoods with eyes on the street(porches, stoops, windows, andbuildings along sidewalks just above street level)showedimproved physical unctioningor older residents over a three-

year period; they also showedmore social support and re-duced psychological distress.

5

Having grocery stores, restaurants, and ca s with-in walking distance al g h s d alks alk

s h b s p d c h uch ld adul sll alk, acc d g a c S a l s udy l d by

Abby K g. F d r ss, 93, g s a h - u -l alk a ly y day a u d h s B ac H llghb h d, h y s has s d alks.

Sa ? oh, y s. i had a y sa y p bl s,h sa d. S a l s C p h s Pla d s25 u ba llag s b bu l a as ha had lda h us s a d p y l s. r s d s c u s h d l p d n hga gh-

b h d ll d h sa alk. A , 141-us s d c ll b c c d by pa h ays

a l sh ps a d h a s c .

n g h a d publ c s c s a d c d u ba llag s ha clud apa s, c d -u s, h us s al g h c c al us s,s all pa ks, a d sch ls.

n d l p us b d s g d acc -

da p d s a s a d clud d s d alks, u -d s a g, d g, a d publ c plazas c u -ag ac y.


8/36GrowinG SmArter, LivinG HeALtHier

Staying connected can be-come more di fcult over time. Families and riends can moveaway, or we may downsize ormove to another community.Many older adults nd thatmaintaining a large housebecomes a burden, physically and economically, especially with rising energy prices. Otherschoose to move or climate,economic, health, or quality o li e reasons, or to be closer toa amily member. Those whowant to stay in the same housemay nd that their community lacks the accessible gatheringplaces, or the non-driving waysto get there, which might beound in a traditional neighbor-hood. Those who want to moveto a smaller home might nd

their choices lacking i they livein a more conventional neigh-borhood developed in the last60 years. I they are ortunateenough to live in a more age-riendly neighborhood, it is like-ly there will be other options.

Staying engaged and learning.Staying engaged is easier orpeople who live in an age-riendly community. In addi-tion to the interactions that are just part o daily li e, moreorganized opportunities areavailable. Communities areco-locating senior centers andhousing near schools, libraries,or daycare centers, and nd-ing that developers o seniorhousing and medical acilitieswant to locate nearby as well.

In Burlington, VT, the McClureMultiGenerational Centerhouses the Champlain SeniorCenter, which provides meals,educational, health, social,and recreational programs orthose 50 and older. Across theshared hallway is BurlingtonChildrens Space, which runsearly child care and preschoolprograms. This intergenera-tional shared space helps con-nect older adults with children

both in ormally and in morestructured tutoring, classes,and storytelling.

Colleges like Tompkins-Cortland Community College,in rural Dryden, NY, haveestablished satellite campusesto make courses more acces-sible. Their downtown Ithaca

campus is in an old departmentstore on the Ithaca Commons,an active pedestrian mall in ahistoric downtown. A nearby elementary school on the townsquare was redeveloped intoresidential condos, with lowerfoors occupied by tenants likeMoosewood (a well-known res-taurant) and the Ithaca Guitar

Works, o ering lessons on allkinds o instruments.

Universities, senior centers,and school districts areestablishing learning initia-tives that older adults canaccess in their neighbor-hoods and churches, like

6

Long-time residents o Manoa , a ad alH lulu ghb h d a h U s y

Ha a (UH), xc d h a sh us g p j c as add d a c u y pa k.th y c uld c u g g h b s l g a g a ghb h d h l j y g h ad a -ag s h us g ha s h cha g gds. i s a bus l , a sh d h UH

ca pus a d d jus $30 a a uals pass a d a sh alk h ghb -h d sh pp g c , pla lu ch s a d, chu ch s,c h us , a d sp s lds. B caus s x

h l a y sch l, s d s ca s ayl d h g a al ac s a d h lp

a a h adjac c u y ga d hh ds a d ghb s.


9/36

the Osher Li elong LearningInstitute at the University o Virginia in Charlottesville, VA.Participation in learning ac-tivities in our neighborhoodsprovides double the bene ts.Researchers have long knownthat physical activity keeps bothour bodies and brains in shape,and that mental exercise helpskeep our brains younger.

Participating in community

activities doesnt just beneftus. It can be a rewarding op-

portunity to give back, to shareour hard-won wisdom, to passon our skills and experience.Older adults are a tremendousresource, and we o ten havethe time and patience tospare. When the elementary school is next to our homes,when the places where we passtime are next to the playingelds, when the li elong learn-ing center is across the streetrom the library or co-located

across the hall rom a day-carecenter, it is much easier, more

convenient, and more likely that we will spend some timementoring, coaching, cheering,teaching, or just plain interact-ing with the community. Fostergrandparent programs, pairingseniors with elementary andpreschool students, have longbeen e ective at making theseintergenerational connections but there is no organizedsubstitute or just being aroundand available in ormally

or the young people in ourcommunities.

7

What YouCan Do:

Us h s gu d ak

c c s

Follow up on something that matters to you. As y uad h ll g s c s, h k ab u h h hssu s a s d uld apply y u ghb h d,y u h us g s ua , h s s pa ks y u us ,a d h g h a d d l p ssu s y u c -u y ac s. L k a b h sh - a d l g- a gpla s h a d h y u ll l , h ch c s y up , a d h h h y a a a labl h h s

ll up y u sl s a d a j a g upk g ak y u c u y ag - dly.

Look around you and talk with others about whatyou have discovered. th s gu d s d d spa ky u s ; h Next Steps a d Resources chap sll l ad y u d a l d a , p g a s,ga za s, a d gu d b ks h s a g s y ua k . Y u al . e s l k AArPsMobility Agenda, th P j c Publ c Spac sCitizens Guide to Better Streets a d Placemaking Guidebook, a d h s a l s d y u c .


10/36

Development and

HousingHealthy neighborhoods o er diverse housingchoices, gathering places, and ways to connect2

8GrowinG SmArter, LivinG HeALtHier

Healthy neighborhoods o er plenty o housing choices , or us,our riends, and our relatives, so we dont have to leave behind thepeople and places we know and love. With a diverse housing mix(single- amily homes o all sizes, duplexes, small and large apart-ments, studios above garages or shops, condominiums, and lo ts),most traditional neighborhoods allow people to stay near riends,amilies, work, and worship as they move through li e. While welike to maintain our independence, staying connected can greatly improve our lives as we age. Maintaining access to services, shop-ping, activities, work, and volunteer e orts will help keep us active,healthy, and engaged. Whether staying in the neighborhood ormoving to another that has more housing options and a vital cen-ter, having access to a broad range o housing choices is one key to

remaining independent.

Most residential neighborhoods built in the last 60 years do notprovide this mix o nearby destinations and di erent kinds o hous-ing. Developers built big groups o similar houses o the same size andprice, separated rom another group o larger or smaller houses by unusable open space. Housing was segregated by income and amily size, mostly separated rom commercial destinations. Some develop-ments included a large block o apartments, or a retirement commu-nity, or maybe a school or library. One positive result was that, in

many new subdivisions, parents were similar in age, in career status,and in the ages o their children. This encouraged lots o groupactivities. However, as individual and amily status changes, many people eventually move out o these more homogenous neighbor-hoods to nd new housing that ts their new circumstances: anapartment or a newly single parent, a house with attached studio oran aging grandparent, or a smaller house or condo or the empty nester. Although these housing options are not usually available inconventional residential developments, Smart Growth activists arePhoto courtesy o EPA Smart Growth


11/36

nding that such neighborhoodscan be redeveloped over time toincrease choice in housing,mobility, and activities.

Smart GrowthdevelopmentDevelopers o new SmartGrowth neighborhoods havelearned that providing a widerrange o housing choices withinone community helps make itmore attractive and interesting,

provides community charac-ter, and holds value over time.Rather than build a ew hun-dred o one house type here,and a di erent type over there,each with its own private ame-nity package, Smart Growthneighborhoods mimic older,traditional places. They addamenities like parks, trails, and

community centers that createplaces or generations to gather.Housing options vary accord-ing to where they are locatedin the community. Typically,more compact housing typeslike apartments, lo ts, condos,and townhouses are built closerto the town center or on majorstreets to make it easy to walk

to activities. Single- amily homes and cottages are on qui-eter streets a ew blocks away,but still within walking andwheeling distance.

Smart Growth principlescan also be used to redevelopunderused properties along

roadways at the edge o exist-ing neighborhoods, replacingaging shopping centers andcleaning up neglected proper-ties. Redeveloped propertiesare a convenient destination orshopping, activities, and catch-ing an express bus to down-

town. When the time comes tochoose a smaller or more acces-sible home or apartment, thetown centers provide a numbero options without having toleave the neighborhood. Sincedevelopers o ten pre er to devel-op in outlying green eld areasrather than to redevelop exist-ing places, helping to acilitate

such redevelopment is a per ectvolunteer activity or residentso surrounding neighborhoods,and an opportunity to makesure developers get it right.

Eyes on the street can make ussa er. Traditional developmentconcepts can actually make

our neighborhoods sa er andimprove mobility. Architectsuse the term eyes on the streetto re er to buildings that havewindows, doors, and porchesoverlooking streets and neigh-borhood parks. Communitieslike Nor olk, VA, have discov-

ered signi cant decreases incrime in neighborhoods andpublic housing that redevelopusing these principles. Many are starting to change develop-ment codes to require eyes onthe street instead o blank wallsin new buildings. Developmentwith buildings that have eyeson the streets are not only sa er

or everyone to use, they alsoencourage a community to stay connected. There is no bettercrime deterrent than you sittingon your porch, or watchingover your block or neighbor-hood park rom the rontwindow.

9

Photo courtesy o Carlton Eley


12/36

Housing optionsAccessory Dwelling Units(ADUs) , which we used to callgranny fats or garage apart-ments, are a traditional housingoption currently returning toavor. These are typically aconverted or expanded garage,a basement apartment, or anewly built cottage. Accessory dwelling units actually providehomeowners housing fexibility on site, along with added in-come. Homeowners can rentthem out while remaining in thelarger house, or move into thesmaller, easy-to-maintain, ully accessible unit when downsizing.Whether the main house isoccupied by other amily mem-

bers or rented or extra income,the homeowner is able to stay inthe neighborhood and stay connected. Despite their many bene ts, ADUs are usually prohibited by local zoningordinances. Some communitiesare changing zoning codes to

allow ADUs on any lot, as well asproviding preapproved designsand other program support.Others, like rural Fluvanna andLouisa Counties in Virginia, areo ering programs to helpprovide modular units or kitsthat can be quickly erected whenthe homeowner needs a ully accessible unit.

Cohousing is collaborativehousing; typically small-scaleneighborhoods made up o indi-vidual houses and shared com-mon acilities, like open space,

courtyards, gardens, play areas,and a common house. The com-mon house serves as the com-munity gathering space, with alarge kitchen and dining room,a playroom, sometimes a library or lounge, and a shared laundry room and workshop. Whileindividual homes have kitchens,residents typically eat togethera ew times a week, sharingcooking and cleanup. Individualunits can be smaller, since thecommon house is available orparties, and o ten has a guestbedroom or visitors.

10

each y a , 40 50 h s Santa Cruz, CA, ak ad a ag h c ysa a d- g Acc ss y D ll g U (ADU) P g a c as h us g

ch c by ak g acc ss y u s as bu ld. th P g a h lps h -s c ga ag s bu ld s uc u s h y ca h u h s l s g g h x a c h l c a g a dabl h us g.t ak asy h s pl , h c y p d s 7 p app d,a ch c -d s g d pla s 500-squa - u s, as ll as a ADU H -tma ual gu d h s h ugh app als, c s uc , ak g h u

ghb - dly, a d b g a g d la dl d. th y als s d z g l g qu c d pa k g a d all ga ag c s s.

Silver Sage Village in Boulder, CO , s a 50+c h us g c u y h 16 acc ss bl h s

a u d a c c u ya d a d a acc ss bl-s y, c h us h a gu s b d ds a d a ly a d a la g g a

c u y als a d c l b a s. t h sa a k a ; s x a p a ly a dabl .th p j c B s S L g hna al Ass c a H Bu ld s.

GrowinG SmArter, LivinG HeALtHier


13/36

Residents are committed toliving as a community, par-ticipating in its design andoperations, and ensuringthe neighborhood encour-ages social interaction whileprotecting individual private

space. Generally 20 to 40 unitso single- amily or attachedhomes centered on a walkway or courtyard, cohousing proj-ects have also been developedin downtown neighborhoodsand commercial buildings.

Although most cohousingis intergenerational, severalnewer projects are restricted toactive seniors. Elder cohousingtypically consists o attached,accessible units, o ten ocusedon wellness and staying active.

11

What You

Can Do:G l d pla g

Get involved in planning projects, programs, andpolicies h b s ays h lp u c u -

s b c ag - dly. old adul s h ha a ly du s a d a f x bl k sch dul ha j c s, b a ds, a d k-

g g ups. L cal pla g a d z g b a ds, g ala sp a c s, b cycl a d p d s a

ad s y g ups, a dabl h us g ask c s, c.,a all u l d by lu b s. Y u ca l k ads h pap h b call y u l cal pla -

g d pa h p s s a a ly h ghly c -p . S c a y s a g s u l d h s gu d -

b k a s ll p d by ach l cal ys c d sa d z g gula s, ll ak a d pa c d y a d c c h c ad c s.

Participate in or initiate a community planning pro-cess a xc g ay ak a d c . Y uca h lp c a a b ad g al s , a ghb -h d pla , jus k a s gl s c . oc duc d day-l g ksh ps, a k-l g

s s s d s g gs call d a cha ,

h s s qu ac , c d c u ypa c pa s b c . A ll-d s g d p c sssh s h ch cal xp s ag cy s a , h

c a y a d sh d as u s d c sul a s, a dh -d p h l cal k l dg s d s a d bus ssp pl . (See Resources.)


14/36

12

We all cherish our reedom to move around : rom those early halt-ing steps to our rst time behind the wheel, rom running errands toa drive in the country. The reedom to move around eels like a un-damental American right to connect with our amilies, riends,and neighbors; to conduct business; to access work, shopping, andvolunteer activities; to go to worship; and to vote. Both governmentand business have made signi cant investments to support that ree-dom since the countrys birth rom our ports and feets, to riverbarges and railroads, to the Interstate Highway System. For the last60 years or so, that reedom has mostly depended on the automobile and boy, have we loved the ride. Our avorite songs, restaurants,vacations, movies, and memories are still with us in the ront seat aswe start looking back along li es highway.

Most o us drive, and expect tocontinue driving as long as weare able. Overall, were pretty sa e drivers too: observant, ex-perienced, and cautious. Someo us have more fexible workor volunteer schedules. Wecan avoid the crowds at rushhour; stay o the bigger, aster

roads i we are lucky enough tohave an alternative; stay homeduring inclement weather;and, at some point, reduce oreliminate night-time driving.As much as we love our cars

Transportation and

MobilityWe can build choice back into our transportation system and make it easier or people o all ages to get around3


Photo courtesy o Liisa Ecola


15/36

and our memories, maybe itstime or us to look ahead tohow we will move around inthe uture. Conventional de-velopments o the last 60 yearswere a great place or many o

us to grow up, go to school,and raise our own amilies.However, we probably didntbuild enough options intothem or getting aroundby walking, biking, transit,or even or short car trips o the main highways. Increasingtra c congestion can lead todelays, rustration, and even

road rage, limiting the timeso day we are com ortabledriving. The growing nationalconversation about energy costs and availability, coupledwith awareness o the impactso global climate change, haveampli ed the need or a long,

hard look at how our daily livesand independence are a ectedby the way our neighborhoodsdeveloped. And maybe orsome o us now is the timeto start building some choice

back into our communities. Toparaphrase Robert Kennedy and Rabbi Hillel: When i not now? Who i not us?

Rather than let aging limit ouroptions, we can actually becomemore independent. We canreduce our dependence on thecar, increase our travel choices,

and improve our quality o li e.Right when weve started to havetime to enjoy it. We can enrichour own remaining decades,and hand o a more sustainablecommunity to uture genera-tions. That is, i we decide to dosomething about it.

Community designinfuences howwe get aroundElders and kids are thecanaries in the coal mine o walkability. I we build placesand streets that make it easieror our oldest and youngest tonavigate, we all will bene t. O course, the reverse is also true.Many communities built whengas was cheap and housing wasbooming ollowed a model o

bigger lots and wider roads.They dumped drivers ontoeven wider, aster highways thatwere o ten the only way to getto work, shopping, or schools.As we grew arther out, all thatnew tra c required us to goback in and widen the roadsthrough existing neighbor-hoods so that outlying drivers

could get to work, while mak-ing it harder or downtownresidents to get around.

The good news is that thischallenge o rede ning andrebuilding American neighbor-hoods and roadways is real-istic and achievable, and olderadults are well-equipped or

it. We understand how thingswork; how decisions are made attown meetings, city boards, andstate agencies; and we have thepatience and tenacity to attendmeetings, conduct research, andtake action. Activists, pro es-sionals, and elected o cials

13

r al z g ha 40 p c h p pula s adul s 60, l cal l ad s Dunedin, FL, d c d d

p s d alks a d s c s akh as a d sa us . By d g s d -alks, s all g cu b a ps a d cu b x s s duc c ss g d s a c a d sl a c, a d

add g x a c ss g s g als, h y ad sa a d pl asa ld adul s a d

p pl all ag s alk a u d h c pacc y. th y als add d a s c al g hP llas t a l h ugh d , ak g asy

ld adul s a d h c s alk g club acc ss h a l.


16/36

have been working on solutionsor a couple o decades. Calledby many names, such as SmartGrowth, New Urbanism, walk-able neighborhoods, livablecommunities, or sustainabledevelopment, one central themehas been making places thatwork or people, not just orcars. Our in rastructure invest-ments can bene t older adults:sa er streets and intersections,expanded bus and rail, and

more accessible parks and trailsystems. Its not rocket science,either. There are many guide-books (see Resources)that helpcitizens remake their communi-ties by increasing transportation

choices, o ering greater housingoptions, and weaving a strongersocial abric, healthier environ-ment, and more vital economy.

We can completethe streetsIts not just about walking.Complete Streets work oreveryone. We can restore anage- riendly network o smaller-scale streets as we reinvent sub-urbia and rebuild downtowns.

Our youngest and oldest driversthen can sa ely move aroundthe community instead o beingorced onto those ast-movingve- and seven-lane roads. Thesame tra c-calming strategies

that communities have appliedto reduce speed and improvesa ety in existing neighborhoodscan be used to design street net-works that get it right the rsttime. These new designs arecalled Complete Streets sincethey work or all users: walkers,bikers, drivers, and transit users.With narrower lanes (to slowtra fc speeds and reduce run-o ) ,sa er intersection designs (to re-duce crashes and encourage cross-

ing in the right place), curb ex-tensions and median crosswalks(to shorten crossing distances andhave a stopping place), bike lanes(to give bikes the same treatment as cars), wider sidewalks and

14

Over 19,000 older residents in Kirkland, WA, ca a u d sa ly a hK kla d S C u c l a d h Ac L gtask F c g l d. th y h lp d C ys a d s g a d pl a p -g a s a d p l c s l k h Complete StreetsOrdinance , d s g s s alk s,b cycl s s, a d d s, clud g d s d -alks, p d s a - dly d a s, a d-s b k la s. F d apac , h PedFlag Program plac d y ll

fags a 60 c ss alks ha alk s p ckup a d ca y ac ss d d s y ld p d s a s, a d h u fags a h h ld a c ss g. th FlashingCrosswalk Program c p a s fash gl gh s b dd d h pa 30 c ss alks a bus s c s.


Photo courtesy o the City o Kirkland, Washington


17/36

street trees (to make walking asa e, pleasant option), and a hosto other details, we can buildComplete Street networks thatmake it easier or everyonetoget around: driving, walking,wheeling, or taking transit. Awell-planned system o clear,easy-to-read signage will alsohelp us to get where were going,however we choose to travel.

Rebuilding along the

highway corridorsCommercial highway cor-ridors running through ourdowntowns, small towns, andsuburban strips are a greatplace to make better connec-tions. Downtown commercialdistricts started to ade, ol-lowed by adjacent suburbanshopping centers and mini-

malls as development movedurther out. These ading grey-eld properties named orthe acres o little-used asphaltparking surrounding shoppingcenters are o ten borderedby residential neighborhoodsconcerned by the propertiescondition. These neighbor-hood residents would likely

support well-designed new usesor nearby grey elds. Many o these properties are beingconverted to new town cen-ters that are modeled on oldertraditional neighborhoods anddowntowns. They usually pro-vide a range o housing choices

and a gathering place that iseasily accessible to surroundingneighborhoods, via a walkablenetwork o smaller streets.

Creating a community plancan coordinate redevelopment

o a string o similar agingproperties, typically oundalong a commercial roadway.The resulting street networkthrough the redeveloped prop-erties can provide completestreets or local travel paral-lel to the busy main highway.

It can also connect existingneighborhoods to the newly de-veloped town centers, as wellas to each other, and supportmore e cient transit service. I the new centers are developedas compact transit targets ( ocal

points or improved bus or rail service)with a mix o homes,stores, and workplaces, many roadway corridors would even-tually have the ridership need-ed or ast, requent, depend-able transit. However, this kindo planning requires signi cant

15

old s d s, ac s s, a d bus ss -s al g US 29 Alb a l C u y a d

Cha l s ll , vA, d c d d ha h ag g subu -ba s p d d a upda . wh l h y k hah g al h gh ay d d ca y l s a c,h y als a d a d s g ha uld p d a

c c d C pl S k pa all l US 29 s l cal p d s a s, b cycl s s, a d d shad ch c s sh ps. th y l s d hth as J s Pla g D s c C ss(tJPDC), h g al pla g ag cy, k

h h c u y, c y, a d v g a Dot c a

Places29, a j a sp a a d la d us pla h ap dly d l p g c d . th s lu sll duc c g s a d p sa y US

29; gu d d l p a d c pac , x d-us , alkabl , a s - ady ghb h ds a dc s; a d supp d l p a ha c dg al a s sys . th pla g p c ssclud d x s c u y pa c pa bys d s, bus ss s, a d h J s

A a B a d Ag g a d h S C .


18/36

community involvement overa long period to make sure theplans meet community needsand that projects are actually built according to the originalvision. Older adults are espe-cially capable o participatingin, tracking, supporting ap-provals or, and watching overproject implementation.

Providing travelchoices can

save moneySeniors have a well-deservedreputation or watching thebottom line. We learned thevalue o a buck, like to hangon to what weve saved, andexpect our elected o cials touse what we give them wisely.With extreme fuctuations ingas prices and housing values,

and transportation agency budgets dwindling, it seemsworth trying a new approach.We cant a ord to keep ex-panding and then maintainingthe current publicly undedroad system. One advantage o the corridor-based redevelop-ment approach outlined aboveis that many o the new roads,

walkways, parks, and gatheringplaces would be built by theprivate sector as developmentoccurs. This would save signi -cant public investment. I uelcosts are high, those on xedincomes that live near or in

the new neighborhood-scaleddevelopments will have plenty o low-cost ways to get around,and easy access to community gathering places. Some o thosetravel choices might reduce ourdependence on oreign oil, cutgreenhouse gas emissions, andhelp mitigate the e ects o cli-

mate change. All while keepingus active and healthy.

Build choice back into thetransportation network. Although many o us mightsay the bus is not or me or

Id rather drive than walk,its real ly about providingourselves with more choicesthan we currently have. Moretransportation options giveus the chance to stay activeand independent. More thanone-third o Americans over65 report no daily physical

activity, while research showsthat just a hal -hour o activity three times a week can greatly improve our health and senseo well-being. By adding placeswe can walk or wheel to romnearby neighborhoods, and

16

The average annual cost o owning and operat-ing a car is $8,121 u l, a a c ,

s, su a c , d p c a , a d a c g (at $2.94/gal and 15,000 miles/yr, per AAA). A c -pac c s s $6,000, a d a SUv $10,000.Al h ugh s s d l s a ag ,ca sh p gh b h la g s s h h us h ld budg . Maris Grove, an Ericksonretirement community a Ph lad lph a, haspa d h PhillyCarShare g s d sa d s a a a dabl , asy- -us p asha d t y a Hyb d. m b sh p s , a ds a s ca b ad h ph l . Acc d g s d J P ac , Y u

d ha buy a ca , a a c , su -a c , y u us h gas ca d a d pay a h u lya , P ac sa d. i s g d b u . iy u s d h p c l a d pap , s a b g sa -gs. Ph llyCa Sha s a s b s sa $4,000/y g a ca .



19/36


20/36


What YouCan Do:

mak as g a u d

Start a walking group with a sense o purpose a

h pa k, d s s, a h all. r ads h s u c s u l d h s s c a d d s-cuss ssu s a d s a g s as y u x c s g h .

Join or start a car-sharing program. i s a a labl y u g , call a d y u . w k h y u l cal-y, u s y, a s ag cy gaug l cal s .

F cus sp c c alkabl ghb h ds a a ss a s.

Try transit. Ch ck u h bus ( a , y u lucky).G a sch dul , g ab a d, a d s h g s.Ask h ag cy p d s a l a g ldadul s. i s ps a by bu s asy g , da al alk g aud s ha p suld ak y u a d y u ghb s l k ly d .

Make one street sa er. old adul s a ps such s, as d s a d Alb a l

C u y, vAs H llsdal D Sa y p j c (see Places29

sidebar). th s c a d J s A a B a d h Ag g c c d ab u sp d g hadjac subu ba ad. wh a sl - g g a d-

h as al s h c ss g h ad, h y ask dh g al a sp a ag cy, tJPDC, c uph a s lu . Ga h g l cal a d s a ag cy s a ,

h y c duc d a walking audit a d a s s commu-nity workshops h a a s d s a d bus ss s d l p a sa ety improvement plan. S lu s clud dsa d a c ss alks (a plac s pa c pa s d -

ca d h y a d c ss), s d alks, l gh g, a - la s, b k pa hs, a d la dscap g. S c as

h pla , a a s s ha b s g supp s h p j c as k d s ay h ugh d s g , u d-g, a d c s uc .


21/36

19

Eating healthy oodFinding, preparing, and eating healthy oods is critical to our well-being as we age. We tend not to eat as much, which makes it harderto get critical nutrients. Sometimes we just dont eel like eating, aretired o cooking, or are worried about the cost o resh ingredients.

Meals-on-wheels programs , which deliver prepared meals to olderadults, are nding it harder to absorb increasing ood costs, andtheir volunteer drivers can be hit hard by higher uel expenses ordeliveries. Such programs are o ten the only link to healthy oodavailable to low-income seniors as their personal mobility ades. Inthe long term, building more places with compact, walkable neigh-borhoods might make it easier or volunteers to deliver meals on

three-wheeled bikes, or in small electric vehicles. However, we alsoneed to address the supply side by developing more local sources o resh, healthy ood.

Community gardens arelocated on public or donatedland, with small plots assignedto individuals. The concept o taking individual and com-munity action in a crisis to

grow our own ood is not new.Remember the World War IIVictory Gardens plantedproudly in every ront yard?Since many o us travel tovisit riends, amily, or ar-o places, a new twist or two couldupdate the Victory Gardenssuccess. Community gardens

Staying HealthyFinding healthy ood, keeping active, andgetting help when you need it can be easierin an age- riendly community 4

Photo courtesy o Julianne Sammut


22/36

are o ten neighborhood-basedand support social interaction,so a group o older adults couldwork the plots cooperatively,taking care o each othersweeds and harvests when they are traveling or under theweather. Since community gar-dens usually have long waitinglists, senior organizations couldpromote new sites, nd loca-tions, and help operate them.

Community-SupportedAgriculture (CSA) is an up-date o the truck arm, whichgrows produce just outside thecity to truck into weekly arm-ers markets. The CSA businessmodel is a way or community members to share armersbusiness risk, while providingearly capital or seeds, ertilizer,

and equipment. Customers buy shares o a seasons produce,paying part or all up ront, andthen receive a weekly shareo the growers harvest. SomeCSAs also encourage customersto spend a day or two help-ing to plant and harvest majorcrops in spring and all. Seniorcenters make an ideal drop-o

point or the weekly deliver-ies, and overall costs could bereduced i volunteers agreed tohelp bag and box the individualshares or pickup. Another way to help reduce ood costs isto orm buying clubs or ood

co-ops, which buy ood inbulk (usually pre-ordered by individuals), then divide it upon delivery. This can also be arewarding social activity.

Keeping activeHealthy neighborhoods haveplenty o opportunities orolder adults to remain active,whether in ormally as part o daily li e, or in more organizedactivities. I our neighborhood

has great places within walk-ing or biking distance, justgoing to meet a riend or pickup a ew things can add up toregular activity. The doctor-recommended 30 minutes perday (or at least 3 times perweek) can be broken into 10- or15-minute segments and stilladd up to signi cant health

bene ts. The average transituser walks or bikes 20 minutesas part o his or her regulartransit trip; a 5-minute walkto the park or ca becomes a10-minute round trip. Havingnearby parks or tennis, swim-ming, jogging, or speedwalk-ing can also keep us active andconnected. As we stay healthierand active longer, many olderadults are remaining involvedin organized sports like so tball

or swimming competitions.

In extreme heat and cold, welike to stay indoors, but thatdoesnt have to slow us down.Suburban shopping malls havelong opened early so seniorscould get their exercise in agroup mallwalk. The communi-ty college in rural Dryden, NY,



23/36

reserves its downstairs hallwaysor exercise walking duringinclement weather. Many publicacilities can nd some time toset aside or indoor activities orolder adults: an hour scheduledin the school pool or gym, orspecial daytime hours in the

bowling alley. And, o course,there is the traditional seniorcenter, with organized activities just or us.

A new approachto senior centersMany active older adults dont yet see themselves as seniorcenter types, and a new model

is emerging. These multipur-pose li estyle centers t withthe kind o intergenerational,age- riendly neighborhoodswe are choosing to live in.Designed to attract and retainactive, 50+ older adults, they are typically located in urban

or neighborhood settings,integrating them into the com-munity social li e and makingthem more accessible to dropby as we make our way arounddowntown.

From the street, they could be

a business- riendly co eehouse(a Starbucks or Seniors), aplace to meet with clients orhang out with riends, sur thenet, or catch up on e-mail. Youmight see groups discussingbooks, sports, art, or a concert,or a small group getting helpon a new computer program.Larger places may also have

gyms, yoga and dance work-shops, or educational classes ina learning center. As we try tointegrate our own active agingully into the place we live in,maybe creating a new kind o community center at the hearto it all isnt a bad way to start.

21

Older adults in theChicago area ca

d a k d ga h g plac has ac l s yl s a c u y s -g. Mather Li eWay

Ca s a l kyp cal c sh psha s c s,h a ac , -g, h p s

app al 50+ adul sa d h ds.

Usually l ca d a d

s - ypbu ld g, h y ach l gy- dly c c ld

adul s h i ,

- a l, a d c -pu class s, a d

ha l a gc s a d gy / x c s ac l s.S haull s au a s a d

a bucus s say hca s l l ka c h us ha ayp cal s c .

Photo courtesy o the City o Rogers, Arkansas


24/36

Getting helpwhen we need itWe all want to remain inde-pendent or as long as possible.Thats human nature, and mosto us put o asking or help aslong as we can, even when wemight really need it.

There are basic tasks we haveto do to live on our own eeding ourselves, dressing,walking, getting out o bed,

bathing and hygiene, drink-ing and taking medication and more complicated taskslike preparing meals, doinghousework, driving, shopping,and managing our money.Eldercare pro essionals canadvise amilies when such helpis required, and what kind, butthat advice is not usually trig-

gered unless someone amily,riend, or neighbor noticesthe need.

The signs that people needhelp are usually obvious to

those who know them welland see them o ten. In anage- riendly Smart Growthneighborhood or small town,

regular interaction with peopleis more possible, more con-venient, and more requent.The people we interact withare more likely to be rom thesame neighborhood. Whether

in a park down the street, aneighborhood diner or co eeshop, or library or place o wor-ship, odds are someone in the

room lives a block or two away and is concerned about ourwell-being. Were used to hear-ing the phrase it takes a vi llagere er to raising children, but thesame is true at our own end o the timeline. With a neighbor-hood structure that allows andencourages us to get out andabout, and nearby places that

are worth going to, were morelikely to be noticed, and ourabsence noted as well.

Once the need or help hasbeen identi ed, actual assis-tance may be easier to obtainin an age- riendly neighbor-

22

i 2001, l g- s d s B s s B ac H llghb h d d c d d h y a d ag plac

h h s bu h h sa acc ss s c s, a a c h lp, h ca , a ds c al ac s h y gh c a c u y. th y u d d Beacon Hill Village ,a b ga za ha l ks a a s s d sc u d, d, gua a d s c p d s,h h al h ca , class s, a d ac s.


Photo courtesy o the City o Kirkl and, Washington


25/36

hood, where people o allincome levels and ages livenearby. In rural and suburbanneighborhoods, the econom-ics o driving around to severalhouses daily to provide low-wage assistance are even moredi cult in an era o rising gasprices. Compact communitieso er the potential or both paidassistants and volunteers tohave low-cost, e cient accessto multiple clients in a day,

whether walking, taking a busrom another neighborhood, ora shorter drive.

CaregivingIn traditional neighborhoods,caregiving was primarily anextended amily a air. Therewere usually enough brothers,sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins,

and grandkids in the com-munity to help keep an eyeout and take care o amily elders. As we scattered acrossthe country, and more house-hold members worked outsidethe home, a need emerged ororganized networks o caregiv-ers, both paid and volunteer.Area Agencies on Aging and

other senior- ocused groupshave developed programs toaddress caregiving needs, andprivate companies have oundstrong market demand or a -ordable home healthcare andpersonal services. The mostsuccess ul programs have been

community-based nonpro tsthat coordinate both paid pro-essional and volunteer serviceso local residents to providehealthcare and nursing, socialconnections, and help withchores and maintenance toolder neighbors.

This core idea o neighbor help-ing neighbor is key to makingthe community-based approachwork. It works best in a real

neighborhood or small townwhere people know and careabout each other. The in-homehealth care and companion-ship help older adults stay intheir homes and connected totheir communities, avoiding

both the extra cost and re-duced quality o li e in a nurs-ing home. Where amily andriends are available, their assis-tance can be coordinated by thecommunity organization. Thisapproach saves money or theaging adults and their ami-lies, enables amilies to sharecaregiver management tasks,and reduces costs compared toinstitutionalization. In tradi-tional mixed-use neighbor-

hoods with workplaces nearhomes amily members canarrange to drop by on a lunchbreak or be ore and a ter work,to help with meals, shopping,or medication, or just to visit.

23

Elderberry Institutes Living at Home/BlockNurse Program h lps s s s ay h al hy a dc c d h l l g h h s.S a d S . Paul, mn, has xpa d d l cal

s ac ss h c u y.

S s c -h s c al supp , h al hca , a d ch s c s a pa d a d lu -

k, ad s d by a l cal p .

eld s l a h l g , a d g u s g

h xp s s, a d s ay g p duc a ds c ally c c d h l duc g allc u y c s s.

th p g a als c d a s ass s a c a ly a d ghb s.


26/36


Homesharing is anotheremerging option, where twoor more unrelated people sharea home, with their own pri-vate space and common livingareas. It can work well in ruralareas, where organized caregiv-ing can be harder and moreexpensive to deliver. Frequently coordinated by a local non-pro t, the homeowner bene tsby receiving 10 to 15 hours perweek o household help, like

cooking, shopping, or cleaning,and the roommate (o ten a stu-dent) receives ree rent. Havingsomeone in the home in or-mally helps keep an eye out orchanges in the homeownerscondition, while the older adultgets to remain at home andindependent longer, enjoy-ing the help and the in ormal

companionship.

old a d d sabl d h s h d ass s-a c h da ly l g ca s ay h h s,a ga za s l k HomeShare Vermont l kh h d duals h d s l -c sh us g. th a s h lp h h us k,ya d k, als, a sp a , a d c pa -

sh p, ha s g a d, u duc d . F s s h d

h lp, ca g s p d p s al s c sl k ba h g, d ss g, sh pp g, a d c k g,

u , b a d, a d sala y.

th ga za ca als a a g pa d l - h u ly - d cal ca g g.

Photo used with permission o Eric Vance


27/36

25

What YouCan Do:

S ay gh al hy

Find healthy ood. L ca a C u y-Supp d

Ag cul u a a d j up, h y u ds, gh-b s, a g up l k h s c . i y u ca d

, alk ghb s a d ds s h s su -c s sp a a a a s a . J s a a c u y ga d h s al ays la d

a a labl s h . Y u gh y s hl spac a publ c bu ld gs, apa s, sc s, sch ls, chu ch s a pa k. o ga z a

d c - p (buy g club). mak d g, p ck g up,a d d d g h d a s c al , a d d l h s h ca g u .

Make a gathering place. talk h l cal s ga za-s, p s, a d h us g d l p s ab u xpl -

g h a k a k d l s yl ca . takad a ag h ga h g plac s l k y u plac sh p, h l b a y, h c u h us s ps, h - s y u a d s u s h s

d as h ghb s y u d y k .

Look out or others. K p a y u sh ds h lp y u bl ck y u s .C c h h s h s u c s dh . i h y ha a d ha s a a labl , s hay u ca d ab u . talk h y u ds a d c -u y ga za s ab u h h a ghb h dca g g a d h -s c s g up (1) s d d y u c u y, a d (2) ha uld ak g s a d. expl h h -sha g d a h l cal s -c ga za s a d h us g p s.


28/36

26

At the end o each chapter, the What You Can Do sections list ideasto get you thinking about how your community infuences youreveryday decisions. Where to live. Where to go and meet riends,or i there is even a place to meet in your neighborhood. How to getthere. Whether it is sa e to cross the street. How to t exercise intothe days activities. Where to nd healthy ood. How and where toget help when you can no longer do everything yoursel . Altogetheroverwhelming, i you had to deal with all those issues at once.Fortunately, you dont have to.

Follow up on something that matters to you. Pick an easy itemrom the What You Can Do sections and get started today, while do-ing some more homework on longer-term strategies. Use the leads in

the Resourcessection. Call your communitys planning departmentand ask about openings on boards and commissions, or look ontheir website or the bulletin board in city hall. At the same time, aski there are any upcoming planning workshops, and get your nameon the mailing list. Use EPAs Community Sel -Assessment checklist(see page 31) to understand what kinds o policies and programs your community has that support active aging, and identi y missingones you could work on.

Walk or bike around the neighborhood to explore these issues.

Better yet, do it with a riend or group. You can learn a lot aboutneighborhood planning and design just by walking around and com-paring places that eel com ortable with those that do not seem meantor walking. Many o the publications in Resourceshave checklists ororms you can use to rate your neighborhood or street, identi y what

you like, and uncover problems that need to be addressed. The LocalGovernment Commission ( www.lgc.org ) has published several easy-to-use guides and videos on Smart Growth and streets.

Conclusion:

Next StepsHow you can get involved and act5

http://www.lgc.org/http://www.lgc.org/


29/36

Streets and Sidewalks, People

and Cars: The Citizens Guideto Tra fc Calming includesorms or measuring streetdetails and evaluating speed-

ing and tra c.

Real Towns: Making your

neighborhood workcontains aRoadWork section at the endo each chapter to help youcompare your neighborhoodsbuildings, blocks, and streetswith others.

Street Design Guidelines or

Healthy Neighborhoods hassimple standards or whatmakes a walkable, com ort-able street.

Learn more about planning issues. The organizations inthe Resourcessection provide

guidebooks and training orthe strategies you may wantto work on. The Project orPublic Spaces (PPS), in part-nership with AARP, devel-

oped a series o publicationson what citizens can do toe ect change in their com-munities, especially ocusedon streets and transportationplanning, all available or reedownload ( www.pps.org see Resources). PPS also o erstraining programs includingStreets as Placesand How to

Turn a Place Around. The PPS/AARP series includes:

A Citizens Guide to Better

Streets: How to Engage Your Transportation Agency showscitizens how to interact e -ectively with transportationagencies.

Streets as Places: Using Streets

to Rebuild Communities showscitizens how to enhancestreets to become lively,walkable, community- riendly environments.

The Quiet Revolution in

Transportation Planning:How Great Corridors MakeGreat Communities describeshow planning transportationwithin the context o a larger

corridor can bene t both mo-bility needs and community quality o li e.

Explore Smart Growth strate-gies. Smart Growth America( www.smartgrowthamerica .org ) is a terri c resourceor ideas to improve hous-ing, transportation, economy

and environment, open spaceand armland, and health andaging. One o their best newpublications is Choosing Our Communitys Future: A Guideto Getting the Most Out o NewDevelopment, which includesdescriptions o many o theissues and strategies in thisguide, along with tips on work-

ing together to plan and imple-ment them.

Connect the dots . Go backand look through the What You Can Do sections and seehow many issues are relevant to your neighborhood or com-munity. As you toured your

27

Photo courtesy o the City o Portland, Oregon, Bureau o Transportation
http://www.pps.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.pps.org/


30/36

neighborhood and talked withriends, did you notice sitesthat could become a gatheringplace, or a armers market? Arethere housing options nearby i you want to move? Howabout improving and con-necting parks with greenways,or nding locations or a newpark? Are there any neglectedproperties that could be rede-veloped? While you are readingsome o the other guidebooks,

keep your own neighborhoodin mind. I your community already has an organized plan-ning process, join in and be

the person who asks the ques-tions about making the planmore age- riendly.

Initiate a community plan-ning process. I there is not anexisting group or e ort to join,make it happen. Many o theguides mentioned above andin Resourcescan equip you toget something started. A well-designed process meshes thetechnical expertise o agency

sta , the creativity and reshideas o consultants, and thein-depth local knowledge o residents and business people.

Coupled with training in SmartGrowth principles and work-shop acilitation, walking tourso the neighborhood, and broadparticipation, a community planning e ort will help getcreative plans implemented.

Look out or others. Keep aneye out or someone who needshelp, on your block or street,at the library, or your placeo worship. I the assistance

needed is not readily avail-able, look into whether there isenough interest in organizing anew program.

28

Citizen activists in Honolulu pl as dh h c y duc d S a G h p c -pl s 1998 a d a s d h c y pla gp c ss. th C z Pla i s u a dag cy s a a d ghb h d l ad s ( a y h ld s) ac l a c u y pla -g ksh ps.

th p j c s clud d:

U ba C D l p Pla cha g dc d s a s - d d l p

isla d d t a c Cal g P g a -cus d 34 ghb h ds h sch ls a d

pa ks a h c , h x s pa c pa- by kupu a ( ld s)

v s t a s a d Sus a abl isla d -cus d g s lu s a d p j c s

oahu t a s2K m b l y Pla a Busrap d ta s sys


Photo courtesy o the Atlanta Regional Commission


31/36

ResourcesLinks to more details and strategies How You Can Get StartedThe ollowing list o resources, organizations,publications, and web links will help you getstarted learning new strategies, tips and tech-niques, approaches, and examples o places thathave applied these ideas success ully around thecountry. Many o them are available or ree web

download.

Active Aging

Building Healthy Communities or Active Aging www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm

AARPs Advancing Mobility Options: Producing aState Transportation Report http://aarpvolunteers.com/dsp/Advancing_Mobility_Options.pdf

Active Living Network (no longer in operation)www.activeliving.org

Smart Growth

Smart Growth Americawww.smartgrowthamerica.org

Choosing Our Communitys Future: A Guide toGetting the Most Out o New Development www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/GuidebookPreview1.pdf (frst chapter)http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5184/t /1623/signUp.jsp?key=192 (register to download)

This Is Smart Growthwww.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/pdf/TISG_2006_8-5x11.pdf

Getting to Smart Growth: 100 Policies or Implementationwww.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg.pdf

Getting to Smart Growth II: 100 More Policies or Implementationwww.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg2.pdf

The Project or Public Spaceswww.pps.org

AARPwww.aarp.org

Building Community Through Transportation

www.pps.org/info/place-makingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportation

A Citizens Guide to Better Streets: How to EngageYour Transportation Agency www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/How_to_Engage_Your_Transportation_Agency_AARP.pdf

Streets as Places: Using Streets to RebuildCommunities

www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Using_Streets_to_Rebuild_Communities.pdf

The Quiet Revolution in Transportation Planning:How Great Corridors Make Great Communitieswww.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdf

The Local Government Commission

Streets and Sidewalks, People and Cars: The Citizens Guide to Tra fc Calming

www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=15 Street Design Guidelines or Healthy Neighborhoodswww2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=13

Real Towns: Making Your Neighborhood Workwww2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=16

29
http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htmhttp://aarpvolunteers.com/dsp/Advancing_Mobility_Options.pdfhttp://aarpvolunteers.com/dsp/Advancing_Mobility_Options.pdfhttp://www.activeliving.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/GuidebookPreview1.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/GuidebookPreview1.pdfhttp://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5184/t/1623/signUp.jsp?key=192http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5184/t/1623/signUp.jsp?key=192http://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/pdf/TISG_2006_8-5x11.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/pdf/TISG_2006_8-5x11.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg2.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/http://www.aarp.org/http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/How_to_Engage_Your_Transportation_Agency_AARP.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/How_to_Engage_Your_Transportation_Agency_AARP.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Using_Streets_to_Rebuild_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Using_Streets_to_Rebuild_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=15http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=13http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=16http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=16http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=16http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=16http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=13http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?itemId=15http://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Great_Corridors_Great_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Using_Streets_to_Rebuild_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/Using_Streets_to_Rebuild_Communities.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/How_to_Engage_Your_Transportation_Agency_AARP.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/pdf/bookstore/How_to_Engage_Your_Transportation_Agency_AARP.pdfhttp://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/Books_Videos/Building_Community_through_Transportationhttp://www.aarp.org/http://www.pps.org/http://www.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg2.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowth.org/pdf/gettosg.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/pdf/TISG_2006_8-5x11.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/pdf/TISG_2006_8-5x11.pdfhttp://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5184/t/1623/signUp.jsp?key=192http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5184/t/1623/signUp.jsp?key=192http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/GuidebookPreview1.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/GuidebookPreview1.pdfhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/http://www.activeliving.org/http://aarpvolunteers.com/dsp/Advancing_Mobility_Options.pdfhttp://aarpvolunteers.com/dsp/Advancing_Mobility_Options.pdfhttp://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm


32/36

Links to projects or materialmentioned in text and sidebars

McClure MultiGenerational Center, ChamplainSenior Center, and Burlington Childrens Spacewww.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/ strategies/09-org-mcclure-main.html www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/ strategies/09-org-mcclure-intv.html

Osher Li elong Learning Institute at theUniversity o Virginiawww.virginia.edu/olliuva

Santa Cruz Accessory Dwelling Unit Programwww.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/hcd/ ADU/adu.html

The Elder Cohousing Network www.eldercohousing.org

Silver Sage Village-Elder Cohousing, Boulder, COwww. silversagevillage.com

Cohousing Association o the United Stateswww.cohousing.org/what_is_cohousing

Kirkland Washington Pedestrian Programswww.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Community/ healthy.htm?PageMode=Print

Complete Streetswww.completestreets.org

Places29 Corridor Study and Master Planwww.albemarle.org/department.asp? department=planning&relpage=6916 www.tjpdc.org/transportation/ places_29.asp

Maris Grove and PhillyCarSharewww.erickson.com/EricksonNews/ publicsite/pressreleases.aspx?PRID=1324www.phillycarshare.org

Community-Supported Agriculturewww.localharvest.org (search or arms and marketsnear you)

Mather Li eWays Ca swww.matherlifeways.com/ iyc_inyourcommunity.asp

Beacon Hill Villagewww.beaconhillvillage.org/index.html

Elderberry Institutes Living at Home/Block Nurse Programwww.elderberry.org

HomeShare Vermonthttp://homesharevermont.org

http://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-main.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-main.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-intv.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-intv.htmlhttp://www.virginia.edu/olliuva/http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/hcd/ADU/adu.htmlhttp://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/hcd/ADU/adu.htmlhttp://www.eldercohousing.org/http://silversagevillage.com/http://www.cohousing.org/what_is_cohousinghttp://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Community/healthy.htm?PageMode=Printhttp://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Community/healthy.htm?PageMode=Printhttp://www.completestreets.org/http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=6916http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=6916http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/places_29.asphttp://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/places_29.asphttp://www.erickson.com/EricksonNews/publicsite/pressreleases.aspx?PRID=1324http://www.erickson.com/EricksonNews/publicsite/pressreleases.aspx?PRID=1324http://www.phillycarshare.org/http://www.localharvest.org/http://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_inyourcommunity.asphttp://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_inyourcommunity.asphttp://www.beaconhillvillage.org/index.htmlhttp://www.elderberry.org/http://homesharevermont.org/http://homesharevermont.org/http://www.elderberry.org/http://www.beaconhillvillage.org/index.htmlhttp://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_inyourcommunity.asphttp://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_inyourcommunity.asphttp://www.localharvest.org/http://www.phillycarshare.org/http://www.erickson.com/EricksonNews/publicsite/pressreleases.aspx?PRID=1324http://www.erickson.com/EricksonNews/publicsite/pressreleases.aspx?PRID=1324http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/places_29.asphttp://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/places_29.asphttp://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=6916http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=6916http://www.completestreets.org/http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Community/healthy.htm?PageMode=Printhttp://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/Community/healthy.htm?PageMode=Printhttp://www.cohousing.org/what_is_cohousinghttp://silversagevillage.com/http://www.eldercohousing.org/http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/hcd/ADU/adu.htmlhttp://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pl/hcd/ADU/adu.htmlhttp://www.virginia.edu/olliuva/http://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-intv.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-intv.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-main.htmlhttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy/strategies/09-org-mcclure-main.html


33/36

CommunitySel -Assessment Building Healthy Communitiesor Active Aging

Building Healthy Communities or Active Agingwas developed to encourage communities to

incorporate the concepts o Smart Growth andActive Aging in community planning and devel-opment. Website link: www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm

The 20 questions in this Community Sel -Assessment will help you understand what is re-quired to achieve Smart Growth and Active Agingin your community. Your responses to the ques-tions will provide you with a clear vision o what your community has achieved so ar and whatremains to be accomplished.

1. Our community has de ned goals or a mis-sion or advancing or applying Smart Growthprinciples.

Not at all PartiallyCompleted

FullyCompleted

2. Our communitys governing body has conduct-ed or commissioned a community assessmentor applying Smart Growth principles.


FullyCompleted

3. Our community has de ned goals or a missionor increasing older adult participation in activeaging/physical activity.


FullyCompleted

4. Our communitys governing body has conduct-ed or commissioned a community assessment o

older adult participation in active aging/physicalprograms or opportunities.Not at all Partially

CompletedFullyCompleted

5. Our community has developed a plan that in-cludes easibility, costs, and impacts o adoptinga Smart Growth approach to plan or the uture.


FullyCompleted

6. Our community has studied the easibility,costs, impacts, time rame, and leadership orcreating/promoting active aging/physical activ-ity or aging adults.


FullyCompleted

7. Our community is actively engaged in ormulat-ing plans and strategies or speci cally linkingSmart Growth initiatives with programs, ame-nities, or opportunities that include active aging/physical activity or older adults.


FullyCompleted

8. Our community has established interagency com-mittees, task orces, or other community part-nerships with local aging organizations, serviceproviders, and agencies as a means o coordinat-ing activities and programs with Smart Growthand active aging/physical activity components.


FullyCompleted

9. Our community has legislative, zoning, compre-hensive plan initiatives and other policies in placeor in consideration that include provision orboth Smart Growth and active aging/physical ac-tivity programs or opportunities or older adults.


FullyCompleted

31
http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm


34/36

10.Our community has created pilot programs, orhas existing programs or active aging/physicalactivity or older adults, which take advantage

o the resources and environments created by local Smart Growth activities such as sa e walk-ing areas, biking amenities, age-sensitive exer-cise trails, sa e parks, etc.


FullyCompleted

11. Our communitys comprehensive planning in-tegrates Smart Growth principles and promotesapplication o these to encompass active aging/physical activity programs and opportunitiesor older adults.


FullyCompleted

12.Our community is increasing its capacity through actions such as budget allocation, sta resources, in rastructure improvement, etc.,or systematically expanding on Smart Growthactivities.


FullyCompleted

13.Our community is reaching out to local/county/state o cials and departments, landdevelopers, and community organizations toexpand Smart Growth activities.


FullyCompleted

14.Our community gathers evidence about andevaluates the e ectiveness and level o participa-tion in our active aging/physical activity pro-grams and opportunities or older adults.

Not at all PartiallyCompleted FullyCompleted

15.Our community has an initiative that includespromotion, advertising, recruitment, and widely available programs and opportunities to engage

more older adults in active aging/physicalactivity.Not at all Partially

CompletedFullyCompleted

16.Our community has the capacity to implementa model program combining Smart Growthprinciples with programs emphasizing activeaging/physical activity or older adults.


FullyCompleted

17. Our community has a well-established SmartGrowth initiative and active aging/physicalactivity programs and opportunities.


FullyCompleted

18.Our community is planning to expand these toa wider segment o our population as well as thepartnerships that will support these programs.


FullyCompleted

19.Our community has an established coalitiono service providers, advocacy organizations,businesses, and governmental agencies thatare cooperating to create more innovative andwidely available programs that integrate SmartGrowth principles and active aging/physicalactivity programs and opportunities.


FullyCompleted

20.Our community has an existing model programintegrating active aging/physical activity andSmart Growth or older adults, and we can pro-vide technical assistance and a contact person toshare in ormation with other communities.


FullyCompleted



35/36

Smart Growth principles include:

1. Mix land use;

2. Take advantage of compact building design;

3. Create a range of housing opportunities

and choices;

4. Create walkable neighborhoods;

5. Foster distinctive, attractive neighborhoodswith a sense of place;

6. Preserve open space, farmland, naturalbeauty, and critical resources;

7. Strengthen and direct development towardsexisting communities;

8. Provide a variety of transportation choices;

9. Make development decisions predictable,fair, and cost effective; and

10. Encourage community collaboration indevelopment decisions.


36/36

U.S. e al P c Ag cyo c Ch ld s H al h P c a de al educa (1107)th Ch ld a d Ag g H al h P c D s1200 P syl a a A nwr 2512 A l r s n hwash g , DC 20460

. pa.g /ag g

Photo courtesy o the City o Portland, Oregon, Bureau o Trans
http://www.epa.gov/aginghttp://www.epa.gov/aging

Documents

Growing Smarter, Living Healthier