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Daniel Parolekhas designed projects of all sizes. Parolek has even coined a term to describe his compact concept:Missing Middle Housing. They bike everywhere, including to work. “They are missing middle in action!” Why the term “Missing Middle”? Why “middle”? And why is the housing “missing”? Where did it go? Most people consider single-family homes as small-scale housing and apartment buildings as large scale. I’m saying that what’s in between those two extremes is “missing....

The unwelcomed achievement came from theDangerous by Designreports issued by theNational Complete Streets Coalition. (Florida’s state DOT is decentralized and divided into seven geographic districts.) At the end of 2014 Hattaway was named"Public Official of the Year" byGoverningmagazine. He toured cities with roundabouts and other pedestrian-friendly infrastructure features rare sights in the Sunshine State. After returning, he began pushing Florida to adopt some of the walkable ideas he’d seen. Hattaway proved to be ahead of his time....

Joel Russell has been writing sustainable development and smart growth-oriented zoning codes since the early 1990s. Why is that the case? Zoning originated about 100 years ago as a response to the rise of industrialization. The goal was to separate noxious uses like slaughterhouses and steel plants from places where people lived. So, from its inception, zoning was about separating uses. Transportation planning became more automobile dominated while streetcar and railroad systems were dismantled....

His political career began in 1972, when he was elected to theHyattsvilleCity Council. Two years later, he was elected to thePrince George’s CountyCouncil. Explain what smart growth is and what it isnt. Smart growth is about creating and supporting communities that offer people choices in transportation, housing and employment opportunities. It makes a point of supporting existing communities while not subsidizing sprawl. Specifically, it’s walkable communities, mixed-use, and the availability of transit....

How does Vision Zero as a goal or concept translate into actually having safer streets? We know that a vehicle’s speed is the most critical factor in the severity of a traffic injury. That means we need to bring speeds down to safe levels. Automated speed enforcement is less subjective than officer-initiated enforcement. Everyone wants safety on our roadways, so that offers a real opportunity for common ground. It’s something we can all agree on....

Chairs and tables were placed in the park, encouraging people of all ages to gather. AARP:Why did SEMAAC create the Elders Story Cafe? Toy:One of the principles of SEAMAAC is to draw on the wisdom of elders. There are lessons of resilience foreveryonein what they’ve been through. And it’s valuable for older immigrants to express their experiences. That’s why we created the multi-generational gathering spot in Mifflin Square Park and launched the story cafe program....

As home to more than 400,000 residents, Minneapolis is the larger twin of the Twin Cities. (Neighboring St. Paul, Minnesota’s state capital, weighs in with a population just under 300,000.) Minneapolis joined the AARP data pipe of Age-Friendly Communities this year. What inspired you and the city to undertake age-friendly work? In developing that strategy you’ve been very deliberate about gathering input from citizens. Did you learn anything through that process that surprised you?...

Developing these arrangements requires additional effort and creative approaches to reduce complexity. What makes Dakota County a livable community for people of all ages, and especially for older adults? Cities in Dakota County often rank high on best places to live lists. The city ofRosemountranked 12th in the nation among communities studied inMoneymagazine’s “Best Places to Live 2015. “The cities ofApple ValleyandLakevillehave been ranked in earlier editions. Both facilities will be linked to a multipurpose assembly space that will feature intergenerational activities....

“Portland is about to grow,” he told voters. “And how we grow is very important.” That year, Portland’s population was about 450,000. Hales won the election, and two more. Hales is also credited with helping build or renovate more than 100 Portland parks. In 2012, when theAARP online grid of Age-Friendly Communitiesdebuted, Portland was an inaugural member. The following interview with Mayor Hales was conducted by AARP Oregon volunteer Elaine Friesen-Strang....

He was first elected to the city council in 1996. Two years later, at age 33, the council chose him to be the city’s mayor. In November 2004, Cabaldon became the first mayor directly elected by West Sacramento voters. The blueprint is an award-winning, nationally recognized model for appropriate growth, infill development and regional collaboration. West Sacramento joined the AARP online grid of Age-Friendly Communities in June of this year....

Asheville has a council-manager form of local government, which is prescribed by its charter. Under the council-manager system, the elected Asheville City Council provides leadership by establishing the city’s policies. Jackson manages the city’s 1,000 employees and daily operations and executes Council-established laws and policies. Describe Asheville, North Carolina, for people who’ve never been to the area. Asheville has a colorful and active downtown surrounded by mountains and natural areas that offer opportunities for outdoor activities....

Livability expert and activistGil Penalosawas the featured speaker at the2016 AARP Livable Communities National Conference. A year earlier, Penalosa spoke with AARP Livable Communities for the following interview. Penalosa, 58, lives in Toronto, where he gets around by bike, foot or transit. Much of your work fits with that of the AARP internet of Age-Friendly Communities. How can towns and cities better serve their older residents? There are 43 million older adults in the U....

That fact became indisputable to all by 1982 when Riley hired the citys first black police chief. Visitors flock to the city’s walkable neighborhoods, thriving arts community and celebrated restaurants. Riley, 73, is not downshifting to an idle retirement. (Riley is also a Citadel alum, Class of 1964.) Riley has also been named a Visiting Fellow at theUrban Land Institute. I didnt want to go from a busy schedule as mayor to doing nothing....