In late December, I had the opportunity, along with other Carlsbad city and community leaders, to spend several enlightened hours with Robert McNulty, president and CEO of Partners for Livable Communities. For the past 28 years, McNulty has led Partners to become the national leader on the topics of livability and better communities. Boasting a network of more than 1,000 organizations, ranging from the World Wildlife Fund to the Urban Land Institute, Partners embodies the diversity and consensus-building necessary in the recovery of the American city. Those of us who gathered to meet with McNulty listened to his stories of how cities around the U.S. are succeeding in making their communities more livable.
We learned that the definition of America's most livable communities has evolved over the decades. Initially, in the late 70's, Partners focused heavily upon physical design of communities, respect for heritage and conservation of our natural resources. In 1986, the definition of livability was focused on the transformation from manufacturing to a service sector economy. Early in the new millennium, it was redirected to the creative economy as reflected by such economic pundits as Joel Kotkin of the Milliken Institute and Richard Florida of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. As we evolve into a new economic order and into a new global competitiveness, the livability agenda with quality of life as a factor is right at the forefront
McNulty noted that "livability" is a long-term asset to be invested in. It can reposition a community's economy, support the least advantaged and highlight the importance of a historic central city. Livability can also foster a climate of good will, cooperation and leadership in diverse civic interests. Over the years Partners for Livable Communities developed ten overarching criteria when measuring for "Livability:"
? The New Economy
These communities are preparing for the new economy by embracing technology, revaluating urban assets for the betterment of the community and staying abreast of change that is taking place globally.
? City Center
They have downtowns that have developed into a second living room and gathering place for people from the region.
? Housing
They attract and retain residents, workers and businesses by offering an array of affordable housing options, valuable live and work opportunities, and successful community programs that encourage investment in certain areas of the city.
? Regionalism
They are not divided into local jurisdictions, but instead cooperate with surrounding areas and suburbs to finance and support regional projects that benefit all residents.
? Tourism
They are successful tourist destinations with amenities and attractions that appeal to visitors but also benefit the community's residents, businesses and infrastructure.
? Leadership
They are cultivated and supported by community leaders who dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for all residents through activities and programs born out of innovation, collaboration and foresight.
? Neighborhoods
They create neighborhoods with strong residential, retail and cultural components that appeal to both the young and old.
? Environment
They maintain high environmental quality through effective land-use and transportation strategies that encourage sustainable development and help to "green" the city.
? Human Development
They develop and sustain innovative assistance programs that benefit every resident while improving current institutions and adapting policy to create the "Good life for all."
? Finance
They are successful as a result of creative financing that partners local government with private sector leaders or community organizations that are committed to investing in the creative economy.
Interestingly, this list is made up of attitudes, not physical characteristics. While it is possible to draw up a basic set of attributes that enhance the lives of a community's residents, those attributes will be different, in detail and in kind, everywhere. What makes a community livable is the people who live in it, their pride in local assets and their willingness to work to preserve them. Ultimately, livability is an attitude, a state of mind, an approach to community.
In this, our 85th anniversary year, you will be hearing and reading about how the Carlsbad Chamber has influenced the building of not just the business sector in Carlsbad, but the community as a whole. We invite you to actively support our efforts to build a strong and vibrant business community and to join our efforts to make Carlsbad one of America's most livable communities.
We learned that the definition of America's most livable communities has evolved over the decades. Initially, in the late 70's, Partners focused heavily upon physical design of communities, respect for heritage and conservation of our natural resources. In 1986, the definition of livability was focused on the transformation from manufacturing to a service sector economy. Early in the new millennium, it was redirected to the creative economy as reflected by such economic pundits as Joel Kotkin of the Milliken Institute and Richard Florida of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. As we evolve into a new economic order and into a new global competitiveness, the livability agenda with quality of life as a factor is right at the forefront
McNulty noted that "livability" is a long-term asset to be invested in. It can reposition a community's economy, support the least advantaged and highlight the importance of a historic central city. Livability can also foster a climate of good will, cooperation and leadership in diverse civic interests. Over the years Partners for Livable Communities developed ten overarching criteria when measuring for "Livability:"
? The New Economy
These communities are preparing for the new economy by embracing technology, revaluating urban assets for the betterment of the community and staying abreast of change that is taking place globally.
? City Center
They have downtowns that have developed into a second living room and gathering place for people from the region.
? Housing
They attract and retain residents, workers and businesses by offering an array of affordable housing options, valuable live and work opportunities, and successful community programs that encourage investment in certain areas of the city.
? Regionalism
They are not divided into local jurisdictions, but instead cooperate with surrounding areas and suburbs to finance and support regional projects that benefit all residents.
? Tourism
They are successful tourist destinations with amenities and attractions that appeal to visitors but also benefit the community's residents, businesses and infrastructure.
? Leadership
They are cultivated and supported by community leaders who dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for all residents through activities and programs born out of innovation, collaboration and foresight.
? Neighborhoods
They create neighborhoods with strong residential, retail and cultural components that appeal to both the young and old.
? Environment
They maintain high environmental quality through effective land-use and transportation strategies that encourage sustainable development and help to "green" the city.
? Human Development
They develop and sustain innovative assistance programs that benefit every resident while improving current institutions and adapting policy to create the "Good life for all."
? Finance
They are successful as a result of creative financing that partners local government with private sector leaders or community organizations that are committed to investing in the creative economy.
Interestingly, this list is made up of attitudes, not physical characteristics. While it is possible to draw up a basic set of attributes that enhance the lives of a community's residents, those attributes will be different, in detail and in kind, everywhere. What makes a community livable is the people who live in it, their pride in local assets and their willingness to work to preserve them. Ultimately, livability is an attitude, a state of mind, an approach to community.
In this, our 85th anniversary year, you will be hearing and reading about how the Carlsbad Chamber has influenced the building of not just the business sector in Carlsbad, but the community as a whole. We invite you to actively support our efforts to build a strong and vibrant business community and to join our efforts to make Carlsbad one of America's most livable communities.