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.

[John]

It's awesome to see the discussion about livable cities. Defining what makes a city livable is much more difficult as people have different views on what makes a city livable.

Of course transportation and commute time factor in and our editors compiled a list of Most Accessible Cities based on our Livability cities. You can see the list here: http://www.livability.com/node/3176.

[kim decker]

does nobody even consider the implications of this another czar now controlling our home life and communities not to even consider the 500 million dollars advanced toward this goal i dont know about the rest of you but i feel each neighborhood should develop as the persons there want them ours is nearly 200 years old we don't need a wealthy group coming in and changing any thing " we work our own town

[Daniel]

Pretty good article, it brings back the human to humanity, it really is all about our own neighborhoods.. looking at it from that perspective I wish you the best of luck ..

[philosophy essays]

I do agree with nvridle. Education is one of the most important factors to consider. Where education is, the future is brighter and secure.

[Jody]

very exciting and needed we need to pull together as a community to get things done even if it is just making a comment on a blog post if everyone did something the efforts would be multiplied.

[Dan The Hair Loss Provention Guy]

I agree that something needs to be done, But What In my city they spent millions of dollars on a trac. system for the down town area it is really only about 10 square block certainly small enough to walk around, They should have spent the money on trax. where it was needed. The community where I live is far away from the major metropolitan area 50 minute drive, who wants to take the bus, when I was in Europe travel was much more convenient and reliable. they are way more advanced then Americans at travel for the masses.

[serial numbers]

It's awesome to see the discussion about livable cities. Defining what makes a city livable is much more difficult as people have different views on what makes a city livable.

[Armand jean ore]

Bonjour

Cher Gov
Je suis Armand, j'ai bien reçu les messager que vous m'envoyé et cela fait très plair d'ê^tre en contact direct avec malgré la distance qui nous separt cela ne fait que nous raprochés.merci pour votre presence dans mes demandes de soutiens , je vous et souhaite une bonne reception .

Armand j. ore

edi_serebo@yahoo.fr

[Sarah Miller]

Good to know that our neighbourhoods will have a interconnected and brighter development in the future. If anything public transportation should play an even bigger role in making our cities livable.

[Jilian Keskrous]

I agree that something needs to be done, But What In my city they spent millions of dollars on a trac. system for the down town area it is really only about 10 square block certainly small enough to walk around, They should have spent the money on trax. where it was needed. The community where I live is far away from the major metropolitan area 50 minute drive, who wants to take the bus, when I was in Europe travel was much more convenient and reliable. they are way more advanced then Americans at travel for the masses.