Institute of higher education

Des Moines developed its action plan as an extension of a resolution passed by the Des Moines City Council. The plan commits to improving housing, transportation, and public services. As part of the plan, Des Moines seeks to adopt local policies to increase missing middle and affordable housing by hosting annual thought-leader events featuring leading planners, developers and policy makers. The plan looks to strengthen complete streets policies and assess transit and mobility gaps, while coordinating walk audits and volunteer initiatives.

Des Moines's age-friendly progress report shows a focus on promoting civic and social inclusion for older adults, and planning, designing and building infrastructure that responds to the older population's changing needs. Des Moines has passed a comprehensive city policy plan that addresses every core indicator of an age-friendly city as defined by AARP that envisions Des Moines's growth through 2040. The city has also focused on age-friendly redevelopment in a key downtown neighborhood, conducting a neighborhood walk audit and funding redevelopment for parks and green spaces. The community has also developed an age-friendly business network which has certified over 50 businesses to help firms and consumers understand the importance of addressing accessibility.