These specialists consult withAARP state officesand local leaders to provide wide-ranging support and lasting impact.
Birminghams poor ranking and numerous pedestrian fatalities led local officials to pass a Complete Streets ordinance in 2018.
But when the city began implementing the ordinance, it was met with much public confusion.
Community members and businesses didnt know what Complete Streets were.
Few understood the positive economic impact a Complete Streets policy could have.
She presented photographs of local roads to show where the city has room for improvement.
Birminghams Complete Streets Implementation Plan for bike routes, is 75 percent complete.
Such arrangements are common in Chicago, which has about 3,000 ADUs.
However, until recently, many if not most of the citys ADUs were not legal.
Going into 2020, the city took up a code update to legalize ADUs.
In Chicago, the acronym ADU stands for “Additional Dwelling Units.”
a former railroad track thats been converted into a walking trail.)
Charleston received a 2019AARP Community Challengegrant to rehabilitate the long-neglected East End Community Park.
A childrens splash pad was installed, along with a walking track and community garden.
The park is now a beautiful place for people to meet and gather.
In an effort to address both, the state legislature passed theMunicipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act.
(press thisAARP Livable Communities linkto find articles, photographs and more about Missing Middle Housing.)
(For more about Prairie Queen, see the free AARP publicationDiscovering and Developing Missing Middle Housing.)
Consider who needs to be a part of the effort.
Such relationships are key, especially when planning an event, conducting outreach or rallying decision-makers.
Clearly define what local partners, government officials and AARP needs to do to achieve the project.
Large, urban areas typically have more of a regional impact, but they can require additional processes.
In contrast, a smaller communities might be able to act faster and more nimbly.
Working cross-jurisdictionally can increase the odds of success.
Trigger action and document results
Needed change rarely happens quickly.
The inaction and delays that are par for the course can become an excuse for nothing getting done.
At the same time, the full picture of impact can take years to see.
It’s both important and inspiring to document the results and impact of efforts.
