Programs

Bridging Academic Research and Community Action with Extension Programs

The Rural Livability Project aims to help local leaders understand and make informed decisions about the livability of their communities. Our academic research identifies what makes a community livable and compares how communities perform across various livability measures. But research alone isn’t enough — communities need tools and support to turn these insights into meaningful action.

Through UW-Madison Extension, we deliver programs that help communities assess their strengths and opportunities across livability components and create strategies for improvement. Explore how UW-Madison is helping communities use research to enhance livability

Beyond Wisconsin: Livability Programs Across States

While these programs highlight Wisconsin’s leadership in rural livability Extension work, many states have similar or complementary initiatives. Is your state working on rural livability Extension programming? We’d love to hear about it.

Tell us about it.

A table of PC desktop computers in front of a window showing a woodsy winter day.

Broadband Toolkit

The Broadband Toolkit provides variety of resources to help communities expand digital connectivity, an essential component of modern livability and economic opportunity.

A livable community is a community people can start businesses in. This program helps equip entrepreneurs with a strong local network in their community.

Landscape shot of a series of hills overlooking a rural township in the bottom corner.

Downtown Toolbox

The downtown, or main street district, of a community can be an important contribution to the livability of a community. In addition to offering curb…

A hand fills in color on a drafted park design

Design Wisconsin

Like CEA, Design Wisconsin gives communities the opportunity to determine an individualized path forward to livability in their community. This program facilitates community-driven design solutions…

Waukesha, USA - June 26, 2014: Main Street in Historic Downtown Waukesha. The streets are decorated with American Flags around the 4th of July.

First Impressions

the curb appeal, of a community. The First Impressions program offers a perspective of your community from an outsider, providing communities with insights of their…

Downtown Platteville, Wisconsin on a bright, sunny day with brick red buildings and a blue sky filled with clouds.

Community Economic Analysis

What makes one community livable, may not be the same for another. CEA is a program that helps communities evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities…

Beyond Wisconsin: Livability Programs Across States

While these programs highlight Wisconsin’s leadership in rural livability Extension work, many states have similar or complementary initiatives. Is your state working on rural livability Extension programming? We’d love to hear about it.

Tell us about it.