Partners Reports/Publications

More than a decade since the release the innovative original, Partners for Livable Communities announces the release of the second edition of its Community Empowerment Manual. Expanded and reorganized by former staff member, Carly Grimm, the new edition builds on the tried-and-true approaches to community development showcased in the original, and invigorates the document with new case studies and a new section that helps readers better understand the challenges to livability—aging population, deteriorating infrastructure, and declining local economies—that exist in American communities.

Download the Community Empowerment Manual, 2nd Ed

Culture Connects All, a benchmark report by Partners for Livable communities funded by MetLife Foundation, offers new audience-building opportunities for arts and cultural organizations to engage two of America’s fastest growing populations: immigrant and older adult populations. 

The 2010 census confirms what many have observed over the past decade—the population is growing older, and in many areas more diverse.  And this change is happening across the face of the nation. Two rapidly expanding population groups present a timely opportunity for communities and their arts and cultural institutions to rethink and retool their outreach.

Click Here to Download the Publication

Three partnerships in the Centralina region were each awarded a "JumpStart the Conversation" grant on August 25, 2008.

The winning projects exemplify the use of innovative ideas focused on creating livable communities for all ages and theme of "land use planning and design".  These strategies are aimed at the over 11 percent of residents age 65 and over in the Centralina region, and will encourage services that strengthen "aging in place"and increase accessibility to resources and independence among older adults. 

The Jumpstart the Conversation Grants followed a workshop in the Centralina Region, titled Land Use Planning and Design: Creating a Livable Community in the Centralina Region for All Ages. As part of the Aging in Place Initiative, the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, was selected by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging to host the sixth of 12 national workshops on creating livable communities for all ages.

This workshop, co-hosted by the Centralina Council of Governments and Centralina Area Agency on Aging, was a unique opportunity for Centralina to begin looking at the region and to hear how other communities have begun to create livable communities. Participants learned how to apply for small grants given to support innovative ideas that further the concept of land use planning and design.Local leaders are calling for strategies to help strengthen "Aging in Place" services. Speakers and panelists focused on ways to address physical environment issues like housing and transportation

Centralina/Charlotte Jumpstart Grants 

• Centralina Foundation in partnership with the Centralina Council of Governments, the Town of Waxhaw Planning Department, and the Council on Aging in Union County 
  To develop a “Land Use Ordinance Best Practices Checklist” that would encourage communities to become more senior friendly.  Partnering with the Centralina Council of Governments, the Town of Waxhaw Planning Department, and the Council on Aging in Union county, the Centralina Foundation will create a Steering Committee comprised of members of each organization to assist in the development of the checklist and assessment of land use regulations in Waxhaw.  The checklist will serve as a framework to identify ordinances in need of change in order to develop an increasingly senior friendly community.
• Downtown Davidson, Inc. in partnership with the Town of Davidson 
  To offer weekly transportation services to seniors living in the town of Davidson, NC.  Using existing resources offered by the Department of Parks & Recreation, this initiative will provide seniors with the opportunity to run errands without worrying about driving or transportation arrangements.  Another goal of this project is to address the need of older adults to have more independence and freedom in planning their schedules.

• Council on Aging 
  To use Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in Charlotte as case studies for the development of senior-friendly communities.  These studies will identify characteristics that support NORCs so that they may be disseminated for educational and advocacy programming.  The Council on Aging has already developed a task force to address housing and related issues as they pertain to the Charlotte’s aging population.  The long-term goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive housing plan for older adults through 203

"Livable Communities for All Ages" is a thoughtful brochure that reflects years of expertise and findings, as well as resources and case studies, on how all facets of the community can contribute to a more “older adult –friendly” environment. Download here

With the goal of promoting safer and affordable communities, "Livable Communities for All Ages" features a specific guide on which aspects of civic life—whether the local Chamber of Commerce or an individual— can respond to the maturing of America with instructive measures on the benefits of older adult livability adaptations in four areas:

This report showcases the innovation and leadership of 22 chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic and social gain. Click here to download the report.

This brochure highlights the prevalent issues of today affecting all of our communities and provides concrete examples of the myriad types of institutions that have become “Fulcrums of Change” for the betterment of the people and neighborhoods where they are located.

This report highlights eleven chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic gain. Click here to download the report.

In the fall of 2009, Partners for Livable Communities received a grant from the Energy Foundation to challenge the common misconception that economic growth and environmental sustainability are fundamentally at odds with one another and to showcase innovative programs at the nexus of these agendas.

This report documents the Chattanooga Aging in Place Workshop which focused on A Place for Everyone, Building for the Future, Healthy Living, and Lifelong Learning and provides an understanding of the importance of building partnerships towards making successful communities in the 21st century that embrace fairness and equity for all. Click here to download the Report.

This report documents the Wichita Aging in Place Workshop and provides an understanding of the importance of intergenerational experiences for older adults and the community as a whole, along with what steps can be taken to enhance the intergenerational opportunities that older adults have in any community. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the Richmond Metro Area Aging in Place Workshop which focused on engaging community leaders and provides an in-depth understanding of the role that leadership plays in the lives of older adults in the greater Richmond region, as well as the innovative programs and initiatives that are happening across the country on this issue. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the San Antonio Aging in Place Workshop which focused on the topic of Community Design and the Built Environment. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the St. Louis Aging in Place Workshop which focuse don the topic of Universal Design & Accessibility. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the Miami-Dade County Aging in Place Workshop and highlights the kinds of problems and possible solutions that are relevant to transportation planning for seniors everywhere. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the Centralina Aging in Place Workshop and features the central role of transportation and housing in the work of land use planners and designers. Click here to download the report.

This report documents the San Diego Aging in Place Workshop that explored the the topic of lifelong learning. Click here to download the report.