Photo courtesy of pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

What is a Livable City?

A livable city is welcoming to its residents, regardless of their age or physical ability.   A livable city is walkable, bicycle-friendly, and accessible.   A livable city is a place where you want to live, not merely the place where your house is located.

What makes a city livable?

• pedestrian-friendly development: rest places with benches, shade, and water; wide sidewalks; plazas
• mixed-use development: wide range of retail businesses and services
• easily accessible public transportation
• safe bike routes, and convenient bicycle parking
• human experience is valued over automobile capacity

What are the benefits of a livable city?

• You see and talk to your neighbors, rather than wave as you drive by.
• You spend your time chatting with your family as you stroll, rather than looking for a parking spot.
• You don’t burn fossil fuels to buy groceries at the market.
• You walk to the train or bus stop to commute to work, rather than idle on the freeway.
• You realize that there are children, elderly, and disabled people in your community.
• You get more exercise and fresh air; you notice the flowers and seasons.

More Information

• A great interactive image from GOOD magazine, showing specific changes to create a livable street.   Be sure to click the “Before” and “After” buttons.
• The Federal Highway Administration knows that our roadways are dangerous and provides this Resident’s Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities.
• The Federal Highway Administration also funds the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, which has a lot of good information on making communities safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.