Livable communities, the hometowns Americans deserve

Like going home. That's what I've been thinking about my visit to Congress today. I did, after all, serve my hometown Illinois district in the House of Representatives for 14 years. But, the truth is that Congress is not home; Peoria is. And communities like Peoria are the reason I'm going back to Congress today.

 

When I appear before the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee this afternoon, I do so on behalf of the Obama Administration, yes, but more importantly on behalf of communities like Peoria.

 

Fostering livable communities is a key aspect of President Obama’s urban policy agenda and Vice President Biden’s Middle Class initiative. The way we design our communities has a huge impact on our citizens’ social, physical, and economic wellbeing. Yet many Americans live in neighborhoods without sidewalks or access to public transportation.

 

Therefore, one of my highest priorities is to work closely with Congress, other Federal departments, the nation’s governors, and local officials to help promote more livable communities through sustainable surface transportation programs. By focusing on livability, we can help transform the way transportation serves the American people—and create safer, healthier communities that provide access to economic opportunities.

 

Today, I'll be sharing my appearance with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. Together, we will announce a joint effort to revitalize our downtowns, foster walkable neighborhoods, and bring people, employers, and housing closer together through public transportation.

 

I can't offer the specifics until the hearing this afternoon, but I can say this: you will see federal agencies working together and sharing resources on behalf of America's hometowns.

Comments

[Claudia Nix]

Thanks 4 speaking to Bike Summit
& showing your support for bikes.

[nvridle]

Dont forget education... it's got to be part of the equation, or you can create all the opportunities around transit that you want, but no one will be able to use them if they don't have an education.

[clark yerrington]

more power to you! this approach is long overdue. as we live with the results of 50+ years of automobile hegemony every day, it's painfully obvious we need to lay the groundwork now for a wholesale shift in the dominant development pattern. it's a survival tactic, it's desperately needed, it will be so good for us.

[nobody]

This would be, so to speak, the first step towards bringing the country back where it should be. Let's hope you pull it off.

[mahvas]

It is exciting to find the Secretary's views on livable communities dovetail well with the principles of New Urbanism. Implementing livable communities in greater numbers than accomplished so far is an important goal for the nation. With Secretary LaHood's leadership let us aim to achieve this goal.

[Ken K. at Pecan]

We live in a small community 14 miles outside Granbury, TX (just south of Ft Worth). It is nearly 3000 homes in a gated golfing community and because we have control over our roads we allow golf carts on our roads. We have doctors, pharmacy, and groceries centrally located within the community and seldom use the car. We are now trying to find dollars to install roads and walk ways further into the Pecan Orchard we all live in. We are for Liveable Communities. We have been for years without even knowing it. We just know it is the greatest way to live. Greeting from Pecan Plantation.