Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Podcast

Talking Headways Podcast: Indexing Livability for All Ages

podcast icon logo
false

This week we chat with Rodney Harrell of the AARP Public Policy Institute about their new Livability Index Tool. I ask him who the tool was created for and tell him why it should be regarded as more than just magazine clickbait. We talk about the robust policy tools that were included for each section and how the data was collected and at what geographic scale.

We also have a chat about the neighborhood scores and what disappointed us about our neighborhood ratings. Rodney discusses how he’s already used the index to promote investment in his neighborhood and how other neighborhoods around the country are using it too. Finally we discuss which cities surprise him and get into a quick chat about Twitter use among policy wonks and why people who have to take care of family members later in life are more likely to be aware of livability issues.

Join us for a fun data driven conversation.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Rides of Remembrance Planned Throughout CA to Honor Alex Pretti

Rides keep being added to honor Alex Pretti and show solidarity with the communities under assault.

January 28, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

It's a big stack. Just dive in.

January 28, 2026

A Few Legal Tweaks Could Unlock A Mother Lode of Housing Near Transit

It's time to help communities use federal financing to build housing near transit, a new bill argues.

January 27, 2026

Two-Item Tuesday: BART Ridership Still Climbing

Plus Caltrain and VTA prep for the Super Bowl.

January 27, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines

Traffic returns, protests continue, Highway 1 Is...Wait a second, does that say a baby fell out of an SUV window?

January 27, 2026

What’s A Transportation Reformer’s Role In the Fight Against ICE Violence?

Migrants and protestors are being killed in the streets by ICE agents. What should transportation reform advocates do?

January 26, 2026
See all posts