About the Center for Livable Communities

 

The Center for Livable Communities is a national initiative of the Local Government Commission (LGC) a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization of elected officials, city and county staff, and other interested individuals throughout California and other states.

In 1991, working with some of the country's leading architects and planners, the LGC developed the Ahwahnee Principles for resource-efficient local and regional land use planning. The Center grew out of the Commission's work helping local officials implement the Ahwahnee Principles. Realizing that economic vitality and livability are inextricably linked, the LGC followed up in 1997 by developing the Ahwahnee Principles for Economic Development.

Recognizing that cities and counties face major challenges in providing clean, affordable water to their communities, the LGC developed a new set of principles in 2005 to assist them. The Ahwahnee Water Principles for Resource Efficient Land Use address the disconnect between land use decisions and water resources, and will help cities and counties reduce costs while improving the reliability and quality of our water resources.

The Center for Livable Communities helps local governments and community leaders be proactive in their land use and transportation planning, and adopt programs and policies that lead to more livable and resource-efficient land use patterns. Center programs can help jurisdictions expand transportation alternatives, build safer streets, encourage routine physical activity, foster civic engagement, reduce infrastructure costs, create more affordable housing, improve air and water quality, preserve natural resources, conserve agricultural land and open space, and restore local economic and social vitality.

Contact the Center For Livable Communities at:

Ph: (916) 448-1198
Fax: (916) 448-8246
center@lgc.org

Local Government Commission's Center for Livable Communities is a partner in the Smart Growth Network, a collaborative of nonprofit and government organizations working to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment.