The livability or otherwise of their town or city is something of great value to most residents. The more comfortable one is with one’s neighbourhood, the easier it is to get on with life without distraction. Livability indexing is the subject of debate, criticism, political policies, awards, competitions and surveys of towns and cities. Looming large in our priorities, it extends to notions of quiet enjoyment,safety, climate, environment, beauty, access and all the other desirable qualities that include child care, culture, recreation, public transport, education and health care.
The Australian Council of the city of Penrith New South Wales and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government produced in 2011 a report of options for a local government framework for measuring livability.
Travel writers sometimes describe hotels that are especially great. Things that make a hotel really great – those special qualities that transform it into a place where guests are extremely well treated – are limited but readily apparent. A great hotel has a special atmosphere. Its guests experience a feeling of well being. The hotel’s service is so good and the guests so comfortable that they become reluctant to leave.
In a fundamental manner, cities can be compared to hotels. The qualities to compare however extend beyond cleanliness, condition, appearance and the range and standards of the Council’s facilities and services.
The hotel’s infrastructure includes its building, rooms, furnishings, restaurants, bars, conference and meeting facilities, recreation areas and foyers. Its people assets are staff and guests. A city’s infrastructure includes its natural and built environment, its roads, bridges, drains, parks, transport, traffic and community facilities. Its people assets are its community, its elected representatives and its staff.
To the pragmatic resident, it’s all a measure for example of a council’s ability to keep the street clear of litter or debris , the drains unblocked or quietening barking dogs left at home alone or reducing noise from parties in houses rented week long in tourist resorts.
Anyone involved in addressing the needs of so many individuals who is asked what they are doing to make their town, city or region more livable should not have to look in their notebook for an answer.