CREJ

March 2018 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 17 Creative Content While Denver continues to implement and ex- plore enhanced public transportation options, the mayor recently cited that 73 percent of Denverites still commute to and from work alone in a personal vehicle. How might urban designers and architects continue to create transportation options and pe- destrian-friendly environments in which people of any age or physical condition might be able to walk or wheel themselves easily and quickly from their home to places that provide industry, food, health care, cul- ture, access to nature and entertainment/connection? The immediate answer is to continue to explore urban design solutions and neighborhood development that encourages walkability, proximity to public transporta- tion, and the inclusion of mixed-use retail and services provided within close range of heavily residential areas. Many people might recall a relative or acquaintance who lived in a city such as New York or Chicago and was able to live in his apartment for the majority of his lifetime. Despite the ability of Western cities with available land space to continue to develop in a manner that promotes urban sprawl, improvements such as the addition of side- walks and bike lanes to Brighton Boulevard, more light- rail stops, and more neighborhoods implementing mixed- use residential with some form of retail on the first level indicates a desire to create a stronger connection between residential areas and a central urban core. How we contin- ue to drive pedestrian-oriented and inclusive design fea- tures in our public realm remains critical aspects of Den- ver’s long-term success as a growing, urbanizing city. In conclusion, understanding that Denver’s only constant is change, and that the city’s shifting demographics will be a huge catalyst that will impact the city’s economic and built landscape, how might the design and development community approach projects proactively rather than re- actively? I encourage everyone in the A&D industry to take this question to heart, and to address it thoughtfully as it relates to their own work and lives. \\ Designing residences to accom- modate aging in place supports multigenerational households and mixed-generation neigh- borhoods, both of which help maximize opportunities for older adults to contribute to the community while being able to care for themselves.