Clark County Aging Readiness Plan Update
To address the needs of a rapidly aging population, Clark County, Washington developed an Aging Readiness Plan (ARP) in 2012. The original plan served as a forward-thinking strategy, addressing issues like housing, transportation, civic involvement, and emergency preparedness to enhance livability for older residents. For its 10-year update, Dudek provided urban planning expertise and led community outreach, helping shape a more resilient and adaptable future for all residents of the County.
Project Facts
Clark County, Washington
Updated plan supports aging population with modern, inclusive strategies
Community-driven outreach shaped actionable, locally tailored solutions
Aligned with AARP Index to track livability improvements over time
Won the Washington State Governor’s Smart Communities Merit Award
The Challenge
After 10 years, the original ARP needed to be updated to reflect a more diverse aging population, natural hazards and climate change, and lessons learned from Covid 19. The challenge was ensuring the plan remained relevant and responsive to older adults, and flexible enough to provide guidance to each city in the region. This required a fresh look at critical areas such as infrastructure, social services, and zoning policies, with a focus on improving accessibility.
The Solution
In partnership with the Clark County Commission on Aging, Dudek thoroughly evaluated the original ARP. Our planners led outreach efforts to the public and social service providers and developed best practices tailored for local governments across the County. For each policy recommendation, Dudek provided resources, including case studies, lists of potential partners for implementation, and defined key terms to streamline adoption. The ARP Update also aligned policies with the AARP Livability Index, enabling the County to track progress and measure impact over time.
The Impact
By applying innovative planning techniques and a data-driven approach, Dudek crafted actionable strategies that position Clark County to better support its aging population. The award-winning updated ARP enhances infrastructure, housing, and transportation in ways that promote an accessible, resilient, and inclusive community for residents of all ages.
What We Did
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