By Andi Anderson
Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program is now accepting applications for its 2027 program year. The initiative helps small communities develop long-term improvement plans that reflect local values, address transportation-related challenges, and support sustainable growth.
The program is open to communities with populations under 10,000 residents that are located within one mile of a state or federal highway. Eligible communities must also have transportation-related concerns and a volunteer committee willing to participate actively in the planning process.
Through a combination of professional landscape planning, design expertise, and community engagement, the program helps local leaders create enhancement plans tailored to their community’s needs and identity. The goal is to empower residents and encourage sustainable development through thoughtful planning and collaboration.
Public involvement is a major part of the visioning process. Program staff use surveys, focus groups, public meetings, and community installations to gather resident feedback and identify local priorities. These activities help ensure that community members of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities have an opportunity to contribute ideas and share concerns.
In larger communities, surveys are distributed to selected households to better understand transportation usage and needs. Focus groups bring together parents, youth, older adults, individuals with mobility challenges, and recreational users to discuss factors affecting transportation and accessibility. Residents can also review design concepts online and through social media platforms, making participation more convenient and inclusive.
Over the past three decades, the program has worked with 275 Iowa communities, ranging from very small towns to larger rural cities. Many communities have returned to the program for additional planning assistance, demonstrating its lasting value and impact.
Julia Badenhope, Program Director and Professor of Landscape Architecture, highlighted the program’s success and community benefits.
“The results of ongoing evaluation show how the program has impacted Iowa communities, with 98% of communities completing at least one project and nearly 50% completing four or more. Furthermore, our case studies of successful visioning communities support our belief that engaging local residents generates the knowledge necessary to make changes that the community as a whole will embrace,” said Julia Badenhope, program director and professor of landscape architecture.
She also emphasized the strength of community involvement in rural Iowa.
“One of the things I find amazing about rural Iowa is the civic culture, sense of community trust and this deep connection to the lifestyle and environment. This program works to empower people and build on those cultural dimensions,” Badenhope said.
Selected communities are required to contribute $2,000 in cash or in-kind support. In return, they receive professional planning and design services worth more than $100,000. The program is supported by the Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Extension, and Trees Forever.
Applications for the 2027 program must be submitted by September 1, 2026, with selected communities to be announced later in September. Communities interested in applying to the 2027 Community Visioning Program can apply online at http://www.communityvisioning.org/apply/.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fertnig
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle