"Missing Middle Housing," Partner Updates Highlight 4th Annual Age-Friendly Greater DSM Meeting

More than 140 community leaders, residents and volunteers gathered for the Fourth Annual Report to the Community of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Community ‘Great Places for All Ages’ initiative and Tomorrow Plan Speaker Series presentation at Des Moines University Olsen Medical Education Center on Friday, Dec. 16th.

Keynote speaker, Berkeley, California-based architect Daniel Parolek, explored the concepts of "Missing Middle Housing" and how this type of single-family scale, multi-unit or clustered housing supports livability. Parolek shared examples of cities where developers are creating middle housing neighborhoods that foster walkable urban living, encourage active and healthy lifestyles and build a stronger sense of community. See Parolek's interviews with WHO-TV13 on the youtube link below.

Parolek's presentation was part of The Tomorrow Plan Speaker Series, organized by the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Following Parolek's address Greater Des Moines civic and community leaders shared reports on how efforts of the Age-Friendly project are intersecting with a number of key initiatives including PlanDSM, Capital Crossroads, the and the Healthiest State in advancing the community's overall livability and desirability for residents of all ages. See the Healthiest State Power Point slides discussed at the presentation here:  12-16-16-healthiest-state-initiative-presentation

In 2011, Des Moines became the third U.S. city (following Portland, Ore., and New York City) to join the World Health Organization’s International Network of Age Friendly Cities program. The Greater Des Moines initiative is being led by AARP Iowa in partnership with Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Des Moines University and the City of Des Moines.

http://https://youtu.be/6XEIjcgW6p8