Submitted by Trish Munro
Livermore is a city of almost ninety thousand people, hardly a small town. Despite that population, it has managed to maintain a strong sense of community connection.
This is not accidental; it happens through careful attention to planning, so that the needs of the community as a whole are taken into account when planning for the inevitable changes that the future brings.
The General Plan — as should not be a surprise as Livermore nears the end of the 2045 update — is the roadmap. All cities are required to have a General Plan and Livermore works hard to ensure that plan will enable the city — regardless of size — to build a city that continues to have that community feel.
As Livermore takes the next steps in the 2045 update, it is worth remembering its vision of a Livermore where people of all ages, experiences, and viewpoints will thrive, where land use balances different needs for housing, work, and open space, and where managing resources is integrated into daily life.
It is worth remembering some underlying principles that will help make that vision real. These include:
1. Encouraging a variety of local jobs as well as different types of housing so that residents can live and work locally.
2. Developing “complete streets,” including public transportation, so that there are transportation options for all needs,
3. Being prepared for emergencies both in the moment and during recovery,
4. Preserving natural resources, while adapting to the effects of ongoing climate change,
5. Continue to encourage the vibrancy of downtown Livermore’s cultural core, which includes options for arts, sciences, retail, dining, and community events, and
6. Building connections from the past to the present and into the future, while respecting diverse backgrounds of all kinds.
These are big and abstract ideas and goals. Nevertheless, they are good guides for keeping the ethos and community connection that Livermore has as the future inevitably approaches.
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