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The “one-mile-radius” effect is a positive wave of impact that builds momentum neighborhood by neighborhood. As neighborhoods become hubs of community more partners enter that community and other neighborhoods begin to enter a period of revitalization, eventually creating a stronger, healthier community at a city’s core. Learn more about the one-mile-radius principle in my latest blog.

Tune into this insightful conversation with Dan Immergluck and Shawn Duncan 🎧

So often we hear conversations about “density” and adding density. To me, the biggest challenge is applying these ideas to areas outside of urban cores. I sat next to a gentleman this weekend who made the point of “proximity” and how proximity is really the driver for blending this conversation between urban/suburb/rural. The “one-mile-radius” is a great example of this proximity and how ALL communities can think about proximity and how we crave it. That proximity will be different from the urban core vs Main Street USA, but it is important recognize that these proximities exist in all type of communities.

Last semester, my project was born out of the question: what if neighborhood spaces were designed for connection? This topic has been on my mind recently because so many people say “your college years will be your best.” Yet I wondered how much of this was actually due to the college stage vs the livability of a campus where everything you need is a short walk away. With communities dominated by cars and the rise of urban sprawl, the average American is much more isolated than before. They have little-to-no community in the immediate vicinity and must drive everywhere to maintain social connection and community. I decided to tackle this isolation by reimagining a space many neighborhoods already have: the community center. Nbrhd Block is a product brand that reimagines community centers by providing adaptable alternatives tailored to the needs of the community. Neighbors can collaboratively build spaces by adding and customizing modules, ensuring the community center is a meaningful space to the entire neighborhood. By adding local public spaces, neighbors are essentially creating their own 15-minute city and establishing more community nearby (proven to have improvements for health and well-being).

We have a great new piece today all about Mayor Victoria Woodards and the work she's doing to increase equity in the City of Tacoma! Mayor Woodards, former president of the National League of Cities, has been a leader in this space for many years and adopted a data-driven approach to visualizing, understanding, and promoting equity across her city. Check out the article below to learn more! https://lnkd.in/eUJSnZbF

Are you planning a new community center? Dive into the key considerations that lay the foundation for an impactful community center! From design to functionality, discover the essentials in our latest article. 👷♂️🏙️ Explore now:https://hubs.li/Q02jSkkR0 #CommunityBuilding #ConstructionInsights #UrbanDevelopment

JULY 30TH - FREE MIDDLE NEIGHBORHOODS WEBINAR Block Makeovers as Catalysts for Change in Middle Neighborhoods July 30th, 1:30 - 3:00 pm eastern Register at https://lnkd.in/eV_x3Q6e Block makeovers – coordinated improvements to one block during a single, week-long event — can create powerful visual impact, build community, and trigger spinoff investment in similar projects throughout the neighborhood. Because the improvements are clustered, their individual impact is leveraged to create a ‘wow’ result, and with intentional strategy they can inspire others to:   - make DIY improvements with access to tool lending libraries as available;   - apply for bigger home repair and improvement loans and grants; - engage with neighbors to organize block cleanups and social events; and - learn new home maintenance skills, such as power washing, landscaping strategy and simple carpentry.   Successful block makeovers require thoughtful planning and coordination. Choosing the right block, soliciting the participation of property owners and residents, securing resources and volunteers, and managing the timeline of multiple projects are key to a smooth week. In this webinar, hear from three practitioners about their experience with block makeovers: why they do them, the results they’ve seen, and tips for event planning and execution.   Guest panelists: Amber Lynch, AICP, Executive Director, Invest DSM   Justin Tirsun, VP of Neighborhood Investment and Community Engagement, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Inc.   Amber Jones, Community Engagement Specialist, Community Action Partnership of North Alabama   Moderator: Marcia Nedland, Organizer Middle Neighborhoods Community of Practice

Infrastructure! Public transit! Community input! Does your neighborhood know what’s coming? What’s been happening? Here is our meeting with IndyGo. Learning about the last 25 years and what 90% design means. 📸 Watch this live video on Facebook https://lnkd.in/gsiqP5Ni

Let’s start a conversation! Last week, Allison Farole, MPA, CEM, MiPEM and I discussed the concept of building community preparedness. In this, we shared an observation that our current culture has shifted away from prioritizing and fostering a sense of “community.” Modern-day society coupled with technology advancements have shifted our mind-set. We are less connected to our neighbors, colleagues, schools, towns, city-centers, etc., than at any other time in history. And our long-standing viewpoint/sense of what “community” is, no longer exists. So, the QOTD is this: How do you build community preparedness, without community being a part of your culture?

💡 Transforming Urban Spaces by Civic Engagement: Introducing CES In the quest to create smarter, more connected urban environments, understanding the pulse of community engagement is crucial. Our groundbreaking research builds on the Civic Engagement Scale (CES), a pivotal tool reshaping how we perceive and measure civic involvement in smart cities. The CES breaks new ground by encompassing both attitudinal and behavioral aspects of civic engagement. This comprehensive two-dimensional approach illuminates the complex dynamics of community participation, offering insights into how beliefs and actions intertwine in urban settings. Featuring 14 meticulously crafted questions, the CES delves into the essence of civic participation. Its design ensures a balanced exploration of attitudes and behaviors, providing a rich, multifaceted view of community engagement. Our findings reveal intriguing connections between residents' beliefs and their reported activities in their communities. The CES stands out not just for its innovative design but also for its scientific robustness. Exhibiting high internal consistency and strong fit indices, it emerges as a dependable and valid instrument. This makes the CES invaluable for policymakers and urban planners seeking to foster more vibrant, engaged, and smart communities. 🔗 Dive into the details of this transformative research here: https://buff.ly/471KUQb Follow our journey as we continue to uncover how the CES is revolutionizing urban planning and smart city development. #UrbanStudies #CivicEngagementScale #CommunityEngagement #UrbanPlanning #SmartCityDevelopment