AARP Foundation
Helping people find communities where they can thrive
Choosing where to live shapes access to healthcare, transportation, housing, social connection, and opportunity. AARP created the Livability Index to help people understand how communities support residents of all ages, while giving local leaders the data to build more livable places.
The challenge
Choosing where to live is one of life's most important decisions.
It shapes access to healthcare, transportation, housing, social connection, and opportunity. AARP created the Livability Index to help people better understand how communities support residents of all ages while giving local leaders the data they need to build more livable places.
Forum One has partnered with AARP Livable Communities since 2018 to evolve the Livability Index into a trusted resource that makes complex community data easier to explore, understand, and act on.
The Livability Index brings together dozens of datasets and hundreds of community indicators into a single resource. But the sheer amount of information could make it difficult for people to answer a simple question:
Is this a community where I, or the people I serve, can thrive?
Homebuyers wanted a clearer way to compare communities. Local leaders needed insights that could guide planning and investment. At the same time, AARP needed to modernize the platform without disrupting the many people who already depended on it.
The challenge wasn't making more data available. It was making the right information easier to discover, understand, and use.
The impact
- 61Livability factors scored
- 50+Authoritative data sources
- 500+Community Challenge Grant recipients mapped
Project at a glance
- Impact Area
- Global Health
- Capabilities
- Strategy, Experience Design, Technology, Data Visualization
- Tech Stack
- Next.js, Node, Express, PostgreSQL, Mapbox
Deliverables
- Digital & data strategy
- UX and visual design
- Data visualization & interactive mapping
- Community Finder quiz & filtering tool
- Cloud data warehouse & API pipeline
- Usability testing & iterative enhancement
Our Approach
Rather than starting with technology, we started with people.
Through research and usability testing, we learned how individuals, families, planners, and policymakers approached the Index, and where they became overwhelmed. Those insights shaped a more intuitive experience that helps people move naturally from exploration to understanding.
Working alongside AARP, we also helped strengthen the foundation behind the product, making it easier to manage evolving datasets, introduce new capabilities, and continually improve the experience over time. As the partnership evolved, we expanded the platform with features like Community Finder, helping users discover places that align with what matters most to them instead of asking them to navigate dozens of filters on their own.
The Solution
Today, the Livability Index helps people make more informed decisions about where to live and gives communities a stronger foundation for planning the future.
Individuals and families can better understand the places they're considering calling home. Local leaders can identify opportunities to improve quality of life for residents of every age and ability. What was once an overwhelming collection of data has become a trusted decision-making tool that helps communities become healthier, more connected, and more livable.
Let’s talk about a solution for you
Ready to accelerate your mission? Partner with our team to build what’s next.
Start a project