Livability Action Plan

Throughout 2019, the Arlington Ridge, Aurora Highlands, and Crystal City Civic Associations have worked together to develop a Livability Framework, which we shared with the County Board and stakeholders in June 2019. The purpose of this framework is to develop shared values and goals that will achieve a more livable neighborhood. 

Since the Livability Framework was issued in June, we have conducted a series of workshops, bringing together residents with diverse backgrounds and extensive knowledge of their communities and county processes. In the workshops, we examined the many essential elements of such a community and refined these goals into an Action Plan with specific objectives and outcomes we believe are needed to accommodate the expected growth in the area over the next decade. The result of these efforts is presented in this plan presented here and available online at livability22202.org.

A livable community encompasses many different visions, generally focused around ideals of a safe, inclusive, and affordable community with convenient access to home, work, business, and play. The American Institute of Architects states that, at its core, “a livable community recognizes its own unique identity and places a high value on the planning processes that help manage growth and change to maintain and enhance its community character.”  This requires a comprehensive approach to shaping the built environment and sustaining the natural environment. 

The concepts discussed in the Livability22202 Action Plan are the output of the community’s residents. Each of the initial ideas provided here can be improved with the thoughtful and creative input of other stakeholders. This plan is provided to initiate a sustained collaboration with other community stakeholders, including property developers, owners, county staff, and commission members, each of whom is invested in the success of our community. Successful implementation of the plan will require additional studies to address unknowns, a willingness to try out new ideas – and occasionally to fail – and the ability to monitor and measure our progress.

We look forward to discussing the Livability22202 Action Plan with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of the concepts. The civic associations are also working on creating workshops on several pressing issues such as housing affordability, open space planning, and lowering of Route 1.

For more information, contact a civic association officer or email info@livability22202.org.

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