How ‘Bout we Just Spruce it Up a Bit? (and other tid-bits)

I have been noticing lately that my block is looking pretty nice (even with the two houses in the middle that have decided the curb is their trash can). First, it was the grant we got to put these cute potted evergreen bushes with petunias around them in front of every house. Then it was the one house that has so many pretty flowers in fron of it that a couple others followed suit.

• A little greenery sure can go a long way. That’s why I heart community gardens like these.

 

In the 1960’s, the City of San Francisco demolished one of the most successful African American communities (economically well off, good schools, etc). The population–by and large moved across the bay to Oakland. Today, the housing authority is trying to figure out how to stem the tide “urban renewal” started long ago.

• The proposed solution involves neither 40 acres or a mule. (I don’t want no stinking mule–but I will take a BMW.)

And the battle goes on to save Brooklyn, NY. Anyone who has ever had a conversation with me about Brooklyn knows that I loath the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush–there one can see two of the most architecturally inept and down right ugly retail centers in the world. Forest City Ratner tried to make good be making the second phase more pedestrian friendly with a big plaza–but alas it is hideous.  Then again, I have never actually seen a good looking FCR project–its just not in the genes.  Atlantic Yards will be even worse.

• Billing it a Frank Gehry star-chitect project ain’t making it no better.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

I have been thinking a lot lately about the parallels between the ‘hood (aka the inner-city disadvantaged community) and the ‘burbs (aka the suburbs)…lol.  I have been particularly thought full about community sustainability. And I don’t necessarily just mean all that fun “green” stuff.

Living in many inner-city neighborhoods is a precarious effort to say the least. As a resident of a transitioning block, I can see what years of disinvestment, crime, and blight have done to destroy the community fabric. There is a lot of “keep your head down and keep it moving” going on in many neighborhoods. While there is definitely community fabric, in my opinion crime and fear have given away to letting young, aimless folks, those of the illegal drug trade and their customers control how this fabric manifests itself. The idea of throwing a block party? A neighborhood clean up day? How about knocking on your neighbor’s door for any reason? The idea, it seems, is so comical to many. I am blessed in some ways by living on a transitioning block in a mid-sized city because any investment in turning around a block means that community and safety are tantamount to attracting new residents period. And the pioneers like me? Well, we are the welcoming committee.

While long-time residents know each other, whether renter or owner. Taking ownership of the condition of your neighborhood is not even a thought. Holding your neighbors accountable for behavior that is tangential to keeping your community safe, clean and welcoming is not a part of the program. Just this morning I saw a young man who just moved into one of the newly renovated houses on my street pitch a banana peel off the curb from the stoop of his house.  Yet, I constantly hear people complaining if they see a rat in an alley way. ( Put your trash in the trash can–perhaps that is a start. )

But even worse, “the mind your business” mentality leads to people failing to be humane to one another. And at the extreme it leads to people senselessly dying over foolishness.

But in my opinion, suburbs are just as adversely affected by lack of community. Sure, the streets are immaculately clean as are the lawns. And Friday night does not become “party on the stoop.” But the isolation of the built environment also leads to a “mind your business” mentality. Humans crave interaction. Homogeneity can create levels of discrimination against others that lend to new residents feeling unwelcome.

For example, a good friend of mine has lived in a new suburban community for a few years now. She never sees her neighbors unless they are walking a dog.  Her kids ride bikes with each other–not the neighbor kids–it seems like they are never around. Neighbor interaction eliminates a very important set of coping skills for children–getting to know different people and learning how to handle disputes. Sure it might lend to a few skinned knees and possibly a couple of fist fights–but fear has let the vocal minority make us afraid to let our children play. And that fear has let the bullies run the show.

Community involvement is important on so many levels. You community is just as much your home as is your house. First, getting neighbors involved in community improvement can do so many positive things and go a long way toward both attracting and attaining new residents–whether in the city or in the suburbs. It keep crime from growing–particularly crime conducted by young aimless kids, it can provide support networks for struggling families, it can bring new art and cultural events to enhance the quality of life–and in the end whether ‘hood or ‘burb–we all want quality of life.