Livability for all? Conceptual limits and practical implications

Abstract

Livability has risen, alongside sustainability, as a guiding principle for planning and policy. Promoted as the more tangible of the two concepts, livability shapes public perception and infrastructure investments in cities, as well as competition among cities for the attention of the public, investment communities, and potentially fickle and mobile human capital. This paper takes stock of the current discourse on livability, identifies two central elements that have yet to shape the assessments of livability and policies to promote it, and explores strategies for research and practice to transform the livability concept, and with it the places in which the lives and livelihoods of people unfold.

On the Necessity of an Integrated, Participative and Adaptive Approach to Sustainable Urban Environmental Quality Planning

“…Thus, definitions of liveability change not only across the life course but across generations (Ruth & Franklin, 2014); the same holds for urban environmental quality. Therefore, demographic changes, such as an increasing fraction of elderly people, can be expected to change the perception of and demand for urban environmental quality.…”

“…Once basic needs are met and other, higher-level quality aspects come into play, subjective judgments about that quality are introduced (Ruth & Franklin, 2014).…”

“…Consequently, so does quality (Ruth & Franklin, 2014). Pacione (2003) suggests that people accommodate to conditions over time.…”

The Effectiveness of Healthy Community Approaches on Positive Health Outcomes in Canada and the United States

“…While there is general consensus that it refers to desirable characteristics of the social, physical and economic infrastructures of cities and towns, a common definition has been elusive [61]. Consequently, "livable" communities reflect a confluence of healthy community approaches that find unique expression in individual cities.…”

Balanced Urban Development: Is It a Myth or Reality?

“…The defi nition of liveability varies depending upon the purpose of why it is being considered in the fi rst place and by whom, yet the common goal of liveability is that how we direct our actions, planning and designs that will make a place enjoyable to live in (Ruth and Franklin 2014 ;de Haan et al 2014 ). The idea of a liveable city is to bring community together for healthy living, enhance their interaction among themselves and surrounding environment and promote their productivity and wellbeing in a sustainable way.…”