Livability Links is an ongoing feature highlighting some compelling stories from throughout the livability realm that we want to share with you.

Resilience

• At Citiscope, Justin Gerdes reports on how the Bayview neighborhood in San Francisco is modeling a grassroots form of resilience planning.
• Also at Citiscope, Sarah Goodyear writes about the importance of place-based social networks in measuring a community's resilience. Goodyear argues that resilience planning needs to place a greater value on human connections rather than a strict focus on infrastructure.

Reusing Vacant and Abandoned Property

• HUD's PD&R Edge looks at reuse strategies for vacant and abandoned property. As communities try to cope with an increased stock of blighted properties as an aftermath of the foreclosure crisis, some communities are taking the lead, reusing such properties to create affordable housing, gardens, and farms.
• Another HUD magazine, Evidence Matters, looks at opportunities for the temporary reuse of vacant land.

Libraries

• At Next City, Nancy Scola reports on a new study finding that libraries provide therapeutic benefits for patrons who struggle with depression and other mental health challenges.

School Gardens

• Parade reports on the 90 school gardens throughout District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). “School gardens are a valuable benefit in driving school culture and increasing academic achievement,” says Superintendent Jesús Aguirre about the School Gardens Program.

Safe Streets

• How can cities be made safe for all? Writing in the New York Times, Jill Abramson shares her story of getting hit by a delivery truck while trying to cross the street in New York City.
• Abramson's colleague at the Times, David Leonhardt, added to the discussion the next day with a look at how pedestrian fatalities are not decreasing along with overall traffic deaths.