The nation’s cities and towns have changed over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic conditions.
Communities are presented with new opportunities, including unprecedented federal infrastructure investments, evolving work patterns, and systemic changes in how people of all ages and life stages choose to live, work and play.
Meanwhile, communities of all types and sizes are also faced with vacant office buildings and commercial spaces, a tight housing supply and, sometimes, the need to attract new residents.
As the nations population ages, elected officials and local leaders throughout the United States are changing the way they think about the economy so it actively includes the contributions of older residents.
Unlike past generations, today’s older adults are healthier than ever, and they possess talents, skills and experiences that are valuable to employers as well as organizations in need of skilled volunteers.
It was in this context that, on September 27 and 28, the virtual2023 AARP Livable Communities Workshop: Economic DevelopmentConnecting to Opportunityconvened more than 1,300 local leaders, economic development practitioners and AARP staff and volunteers.
With a focus on how places and people contribute to economic development, more than 25 speakers addressed the workshops core themes of theThe Built Environment,Digital Connections,Work and JobsandLocal Economies and shared inspiring next steps for meeting the economic development needs of a changing nation.
1.
Livable communities are good for people and the economy
Walkable communities with diverse housing types and digital infrastructure (i.e., high-speed internet access) have strong fiscal impacts.
2.
Zoning reform encourages flexible economic development strategies
Revisiting and revising decades-old zoning codes can contribute to more equitable outcomes, better serve how we live and work today, and benefit local economies.
