Snelling Center for Government

The Snelling Center has been engaged by AARP-VT to explore what makes a community a livable one for an aging population and design policy approaches that will move Burlington toward this goal as part of a national model-building initiative.

The Snelling Center has been engaged by AARP-VT to explore what makes a community a livable one for an aging population and design policy approaches that will move Burlington toward this goal as part of a national model-building initiative.

The Burlington Livable Community Project Report: A Great City for Older Adults: An Action Plan for Burlington was produced by the Snelling Center.

Burlington Livable Cities Project has its own web site.
www.aarp.org/sk/blcp

AARP Project Statement

As the people of Burlington age, will our community be ready? Burlington has repeatedly been cited as one of America’s most livable communities for children and families. But is it, or will it be, one of America’s most livable communities for people of all ages? Or looking at it another way, can residents of Burlington say, “this is a great place to grow old.”

There is no one formula for what makes a community livable but it has common elements, including affordable and appropriate housing, an array of options for mobility, and community services. Many of these elements exist to one degree or another in Burlington. However, Burlington lacks an explicit vision for how it will meet the needs of its aging population and make the city a truly livable community for all its residents.

We are not alone. Livability is seldom discussed until it has become obvious that a community doesn’t meet the needs of its aging population. The result too often is that older residents must move or live in homes that don’t meet their needs, and in communities that don’t support them.

When the conversation about livability does happen, it is often limited to topics of economic growth, or sprawl, or the allocation of scarce resources. And, while all of these elements are critical factors in the way a community grows, adapts to changing needs, and remains vibrant – there is much more to creating a “livable community.”

Livability is affordable housing options that enable individuals to remain in the communities to which they have long-term attachments. At the same time, good home design, founded on ease of use and accessibility, enables individuals to enjoy the full use of their residence.

• Press Release (January 30, 2007) "City Residents Cite Changes to Make Burlington More Livable"
• AARP Survey Report - on the strengths and challenges of growing old in Burlington
• A report on focused conversations with Burlington residents on growing older in a livable city

• Livable Communities Evaluation Guide:
• Beyond 50.05 -- A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging (AARP):