Austin takes steps to become an “Age Friendly Community”

National expert on “walkability” and livable communities to discuss the state of Austin streets

AUSTIN, TEXAS--Mayor Lee Leffingwell, The Mayor’s Taskforce on Aging, and AARP will come together today at 4:30 p.m. at the University of Texas Bass Lecture Hall along with “walkability” expert Dan Burden to discuss Austin’s future as an “Age Friendly Community”.

AARP has joined efforts with the World Health Organization to create a network of “Age Friendly Communities” throughout the United States that work to create environments that encourage active and healthy aging. Important features in these communities are roads with accessible sidewalks, bike lanes, and other simple features that make independent mobility accessible.

Dan Burden, who has been named by TIME magazine as “one of the six most important civic innovators in the world,” is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute (WALC). He will spend time exploring the city before discussing Austin’s current infrastructure and the impact it has on the mobility of residents of all ages.

Mayor Leffingwell will address Austin’s current vision to become more age friendly as the population ages and urbanization increases.

Communities that adopt progressive and forward-thinking public policies and urban planning models will attract and retain more residents and provide varied business opportunities to serve the older populations, their families, and caregivers. Along with the opportunity for economic growth, such models increase safety by reducing crashes, promote public health, and decrease traffic congestion.

AARP is urging decision makers to ensure that our streets are safe and functional for all Texas--pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.