Associations release new livability report

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) in partnership with the American Public Works Association (APWA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), announced the release of their latest livability resource, “Livability Literature Review: A Synthesis of Current Practice.” This new comprehensive report describes how livability is understood, provides examples of livable communities in practice, and adds clarity to several concepts. With the partners’ guidance, NARC conducted an expansive literature review, including more than 180 livability reports and documents to condense current tactics and mechanisms in creating livable communities.

The new Livability report will help local governments and their regional planning organizations, both urban and rural, better understand the resources available to create more livable communities. Additionally, it consolidates a large number of existing resources and identifies areas in which additional information is necessary. Download a copy of the report at https://narc.org/wp-content/uploads/Livability-Report-FINAL.pdf.

“APWA is proud to partner with NARC, and the other leading association partners including NACo, NLC, and ICMA, in the creation of this Livability Literature Review, focusing on regional transportation and livability needs” said APWA Executive Director Peter B. King. "We are pleased to work with the Federal Highway Administration as well as NARC, as partners on this project, and look forward to developing additional case studies to support these regional and local livability efforts. This project complements and supports the ongoing work of the APWA Center for Sustainability.”

In order for regions to build stronger, more livable communities, NARC and partners are seeking additional case studies of regional planning organizations and their communities. These case studies will showcase the important work in which communities are engaged and help others create more livable communities. Share case studies at www.surveymonkey.com/s/livabilitycasestudy.

NARC convened the APWA, NLC, NACo, and ICMA to provide guidance and examine how to create and disseminate locally implementable solutions to achieve federal livability goals. This research, including the literature review and the additional case studies, will identify and disseminate tools and practices that local governments and regional planning organizations can use in their planning processes. Innovative efforts of this project, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, will result in a final guidebook with replicable case studies and the necessary tools for planners, local elected officials, and other stakeholders interested in creating livability programs in their communities.