As part of the AARP/Blue Zones City Health Makeover, an international expert on walkability and townmaking will be in Albert Lea today and Friday to help the town find out ways to become more walkable, bikeable and livable.

Dan Burden, the founder of Walkable Communities, will present his findings of the community — combined with elements from the newly adopted Albert Lea Comprehensive Plan — to form the starting point for discussion and visioning sessions.

Burden, who is a principal with the urban-design firm Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Inc., is an internationally recognized photographer and authority on smart growth, sustainability, livable communities and active living. He’s knowledgeable about bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, healthy streets, traffic calming and other design concepts and tools.

“Walkable communities are not only physically healthier than those that rely heavily on automobiles, but they also are more socially connected and safer,” Burden said in a news release. “A small town like Albert Lea has incredible opportunities to improve everyone’s quality of life and health.”

On Thursday, following the press conference with the announcement of the health makeover, Burden, along with Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner and other community leaders, will go on a walking audit of the community. A bus will leave from Albert Lea City Hall to visit three neighborhoods. Based on that audit and the information learned about Albert Lea, Burden will create a custom presentation for Albert Lea based on what he’s heard.

On Friday, Burden will present his ideas during workshops. The workshops go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ramada Inn.

Here is the workshop schedule:

Session No. 1: From 9 to 10:45 a.m. This workshop will include an introduction, lessons from towns around the world, along with exploration of emerging innovations that are creating safer, more enjoyable communities.

Session No. 2: From 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. This workshop will be about Albert Lea’s priorities. Burden will present ideas gathered from the town’s comprehensive plan, interviews and best practices. He will also ask citizens to discuss their favorite ideas for Albert Lea. A light lunch will be provided.

Session No. 3: From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Albert Lea’s best ideas will be presented and summarized.

Following the workshop, Burden will prepare a formal report and an action plan for Albert Lea to become more walkable, bikeable and livable. The report will be available in about a month.

Albert Lea Community Development Director Bob Graham, who is one of the local co-chairman for the health makeover, said the workshops with Burden will serve as the first implementation step for the city’s new comprehensive plan. Albert Lea is one of few cities to actually have an entire section in its plan devoted to health and wellness.

“We are excited to have this expert come and begin implementation of our comprehensive plan,” Graham said. “The timing is just incredible.”

He said he is excited about the AARP/Blue Zones City Health Makeover.

“It’s such a perfect fit,” Graham said.

People who would like to be a part of the workshops on Friday can register for those by phone at 377-4315 or by e-mail at wflugum@albertlea.org. The workshops are limited to 80 people.