This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Breckenridge is a resort destination for thousands of vacationers every year, but was unaffordable to the people working in the community until an effort between the EPA and the Colorado Department of Health launched new affordable housing options.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Davidson faced a surge in population head-on by revitalizing its town center and improving transportation options, earning the 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement from the U.S. EPA.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Laconia worked with the U.S. EPA on three neighborhood plans to enhance the safety and accessibility of their streets and add more vitality to the community.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Through a unique community planning process called Envision Cache Valley, residents in Cache Valley, Utah established strong benchmarks for preserving farmland, maintaining clean air and welcoming new development and housing.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. The Menominee Tribe in rural Wisconsin partnered with local schools and health providers to help residents move around its sparse reservation while maintaining good stewardship of the land.

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. In Huron, South Dakota, many older residents are able to access groceries and services because of People’s Transit, and the town today is home to its first-ever transit center.

What does “livability” mean in a smaller town or city? Some would have us believe that livability is a foreign concept for our small towns or rural areas or that it’s exclusively an urban concept. The reality couldn’t be farther from the truth. For the next two weeks, we’re going to publish one of a collection of 12 case studies each day that provides examples of how small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities.

Thousands rallied last Friday at the Los Angeles City Hall to tell Washington to help speed up LA’s 30/10 Plan –- a plan to build 12 major local transit projects in 10 years rather than 30. The plan would spur economic growth and protect the environment, create 166,000 jobs, ease congestion, and reduce air pollution and dependency on oil.

An exciting new service launched this morning from our friends at Walk Score will help people all across the country find out how transit-accessible a home or a neighborhood is while gaining a better understanding of the true cost of buying a home — the cost of housing plus transportation. Starting today, when you visit Walk Score you’ll also get information about nearby transit options, commuting details, and the expected cost of housing plus transportation. Welcome to Transit Score.

When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced last week that he was unable to secure the 60 votes needed to move forward on comprehensive climate legislation, it put an end to any realistic chance of capping carbon emissions in 2010, making it more urgent than ever to pass a reformed transportation bill that can help us reduce emissions and oil use.