What is livability?
The title of this handout could alternately read “What is your own [family’s, community’s, region’s, agency’s, employer’s,
industry’s] definition of livability?” Why? Because there is not one definitive description of what livability is and what it
is not.
Perspectives on livability vary by geography, such as from resident to resident, community to community, and region to
region. In addition, what is considered livable varies based on industry and responsibility, such as from agency to agency
or industry to industry. Having many definitions for livability is not necessarily a problem. The challenge is to find a
definition of livability suited to the context. For example, a community discussing local transportation issues will use a
different, more specific definition of livability than a federal agency looking at transportation issues and needs for the
future. The following are descriptions of livability from several national agencies or organizations:
“Livability means being able to take your kids to
school, go to work, see a doctor, drop by the grocery or
post office, go out to dinner and a movie, and play
with your kids in a park, all without having to get in
your car.”
Secretary Ray LaHood, USDOT (1)
“A livable community is one that has affordable and
appropriate housing, supportive community features
and services, and adequate mobility options, which
together facilitate personal independence and the
engagement of residents in civic and social life.”
American Association of Retired Persons (4)
“Livable communities are places where transportation,
housing, and commercial development investments
have been coordinated so that people have access to
adequate, affordable, and environmentally sustainable
travel options.”
USDOT Strategic Plan (2)
“Livability is about providing people, including seniors
and those who cannot afford to drive everywhere,
better choices about how to travel throughout their
regions. It is about encouraging growth in historic
small town Main Streets across America and a high
quality of life with ample green space, biking or
walking paths, and shopping, restaurants, or health
care located nearby and easily accessible.”
Transportation for America (5)
“Livability is best defined at the local level. Broadly
speaking, a livable community recognizes its own
unique identity and places a high value on the
planning processes that help manage growth and
change to maintain and enhance its community
character.”
American Institute of Architects (3)
“Livability in transportation is about leveraging the
quality, location, and type of transportation facilities
and services available to help achieve broader
community goals such as access to a variety of jobs,
community services, affordable housing, quality
schools, and safe streets.”
Federal Highway Administration (6)
References
1.
USDOT, EPA, and HUD Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/. Accessed
August, 2012.
2.
Draft U.S. DOT Strategic Plan FY2010-FY2015. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, 2010.
http://www.dot.gov/stratplan/dot_strategic_plan_10-15.pdf. Accessed August, 2012.
3.
Livability 101. Washington DC: American Institute of Architects, 2005.
http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aias077944.pdf. Accessed August, 2012.
4.
Beyond 50.05 A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging. Washington DC: American
Association of Retired Persons, 2005. http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/beyond_50_communities.pdf. Accessed August, 2012.
5.
Sean Barry. Case Studies on Transit and Livable Communities in Rural and Small Town America. Washington DC: Transportation for
America, unkown. http://t4america.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Livability-Transit-Rural-Case-Studies-WEB.pdf. Accessed August,
2012.
6.
The Role of FHWA Programs in Livability: State of the Practice Summary. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, 2011.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/livability/state_of_the_practice_summary/research2011.pdf. Accessed August, 2012.