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When was the last time you took a hard look at your community to see how livable it is for people of every age? It’s a topic MAPA will explore with the help of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) at its Council of Officials Meeting, Wednesday, March 13th.

Creating a livable community isn’t something that just happens organically, but with planning and design, you can create a community that is welcoming to people of all ages and transportation plays a key role.

Nationally, there’s been a boom in senior housing to support the country’s aging population. But connecting those residents to others in their community can be challenging. That’s where multi-modal transit comes in, creating connections between people and places.

Creating livable communities is also about making sure sidewalks and infrastructure are improved to accommodate an aging population. Some communities have even revitalized city blocks or added public art to create interactive, welcoming areas.

So what more can be done? Join us for lunch, Wednesday, March 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for the Council of Officials Meeting. We’re gathering at the Beacon Hills Restaurant in Aksarben Village, 6750 Mercy Road.

AARP’s Nebraska State Director, Connie Benjamin, and Iowa State Director, Brad Anderson will share ideas and resources on how you can ensure your community is livable for people of all ages.  They’ll also discuss what’s required to maintain personal independence to allow residents to age in place.

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