What makes a community work well for people at every stage of life?
At the 2026 NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit, Mark Hensley, MA, Associate State Director for Community Outreach & Advocacy with AARP North Carolina’s Triad Region, introduced attendees to AARP’s Livable and Age-Friendly Communities initiative and the ways communities across the country are working to become more welcoming, accessible, and connected for people of all ages.
The initiative recognizes that communities are changing rapidly, particularly as the population ages, and that the decisions communities make about transportation, housing, public spaces, and access to services can have a significant impact on quality of life.
During the session, Mark explored the eight Domains of Livability and the AARP Livability Index, tools that communities can use to better understand local conditions and identify opportunities for improvement. The discussion also highlighted the growing number of communities participating in the initiative, with more than 1,000 communities across 12 states having received the AARP designation.
While the initiative focuses in part on the needs of older adults, its principles extend well beyond any one age group. Walkable neighborhoods, reliable transportation options, access to essential services, opportunities for community participation, and affordable and adaptable housing can make communities more functional and connected for everyone.
For BikeWalk NC, that connection is especially important. Creating communities where people can safely walk and bike, access transportation, reach the places they need to go, and participate in community life is an important part of building a transportation system that serves people throughout their lives.
