AARP Community Challenge Grant: Building Healthy, Equitable, and Livable Streets
Learn more about AARP’s Community Challenge Grants here.
Building Equitable Communities Through Sustainable Transportation: Our Role in the AARP Community Challenge
Our ability to get from place to place is the foundation for building a thriving community. Transportation planning and policy plays an essential role in creating equity in our neighborhoods, as it shapes how a community connects to the services necessary for a healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life. We are excited to be part of the AARP Community Challenge Grant, which supports HEAL’s goal of building healthy, equitable, and livable communities in Salt Lake City and beyond.
Addressing the Needs of Utah’s Aging Population
As Utah’s population ages, we are presented with new opportunities and challenges to ensure equitable access to green spaces, public and active transportation, and safe, healthy, and livable communities. To do this equitably, we must address the needs of our 50+ population and make sure their voices and experiences are considered in city and transit planning. Our participation in the AARP Community Challenge project will support our goal of using capacity-building events to better advocate for policies that support people’s ability to travel safely within their communities by walking, cycling, and using public transit.
Take Action: Your Guide to a Community Walk Audit
A Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating Your Community’s Walkability
Developed by AARP
Far too many Utah communities face challenges when it comes to safe, walkable streets. Whether it’s missing sidewalks, inadequate crosswalks, or other safety gaps, these barriers prevent people from easily and safely walking where they need to go.
A walk audit is a straightforward, hands-on activity where individuals or groups evaluate the walkability of a street or neighborhood. By observing and documenting conditions, you can identify how safe and accessible an area is for pedestrians to travel along streets, cross intersections, and move through the community.
Anyone! Whether you’re a local leader, an advocate, or simply someone who cares about their neighborhood, a walk audit is for you. You can even make it a group effort—bring your friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues along! Walk audits are a great way to engage others in making your community safer and more walkable.
The AARP Walk Audit Toolkit is a practical resource for local leaders, advocates, residents, and community organizations. It helps:
- Create safer streets for walking, reducing the need for driving
- Cut down on traffic congestion and air pollution
- Promote the development of walkable, pedestrian-friendly communities
- Increase opportunities for physical activity for people of all ages
- Identify infrastructure improvements needed in your area
- Educate residents about how good street design supports safety
- Foster social connections among neighbors
- Boost property values