Community Building

I see 'Community Building' as a partnership between the community leaders and the community members themselves, in an effort to strengthen the social fabric of the community. This could be accomplished in many ways. Community building at a social level could be the organization of special events such as farmers markets, summer concerts, fall festivals, art and craft exhibits. At a more structural or intervention level it can include senior citizen outreach programs, unemployment seminars and job fairs, after school programs for children whose parents work, community education organizations and neighborhood watch groups.

An example of a more intensive intervention of a community organization whose goal is to restore versus maintain the stability of a community is a Chicago community organization that is currently partnering in community building, and that is the Pilsen Alliance; a grassroots organization working for quality public education, affordable housing, government accountability's and healthy communities. Their goal is to promote community education by facilitating the "reflection and development of social consciousness in order to develop a critical analysis of the political, social and cultural realities" that affect the Pilsen community. The Pilsen Alliance also organizes community members in building community power to create social change. So, the spectrum of community building can range from maintaining simple social interactions to the more intense interventions of trying to reconstruct or resurrect a community in decline.

The Sprawl People "America's Newest Suburbs"

Many people are moving their families to the "New suburbs", now coined as the Sprinkler City. These are fast growing suburbs where the homes are middle class "mini McMansions Gable-gable" new style and affordable, pristine landscaping , streets are huge and newly paved, golf courses abound, schools with playgrounds are glistening with spanking new equipment, and of course, shopping malls and new restaurants. The article, "Patio Man and The Sprawl People, by David Brooks, tells how people are moving from their older suburban neighborhoods to head West in search of a dirt free and toxin free environment where crowding and inconvenience of their former communities is left behind.

But as they seek the "good life", there are many more people that will follow, and where people thought they found nirvana they will eventually be looking again. Brooks states, "the moment they move in, they begin soiling their own nest...bringing crowding with them. They move to get away from stratification, snobbery, and inequality, but as the new towns grow they get more stratified". And the migration continues, only being satisfied for the moment until a new community may and can satisfy them again. So, the suburban sprawl continues feeding on the sheer momentum of suburban sprawl. This phenomenon is clearly displayed by the sheer geographic component; growth continues further and further from established urban centers despite any rational defense against such irrational growth.

Chicago's 'Chance for Change'

There are a lot a mixed emotions about Chicago's loss to Rio for the 2016 Olympics. People worried about the millions of dollars of lost revenue and the tax implications placed on the city's taxpayers are looming issues. While many thought that an 80,000 seat Olympic sports stadium was not exactly what Chicago needed, others saw it as an opportunity to draw attention to a city, little known by the world, as one of the greatest cities in the Country. But now with the Olympic plans gone, what future plans could Chicago have for a second 'Chance for Change'? Unfortunately, demolition had already begun on the Michael Reese Hospital's property, bulldozing a formal designed landscape feature. Also, a large piece of land was already being cleared for what was going to be the Olympic Village, which now poses a dilemma for the city.

Some issues and benefits are apparent with the Olympics not being held in Chicago: the lessening of traffic congestion, the lessened threat of international and/or homegrown terrorism, the elimination of the threat to the integrity of our lake front parks, and freedom of movement by the average citizen, e.g., being able to "cross a bridge" (Katrina). On the other hand, by not having the 2016 Olympics would mean fewer job opportunities, loss of tourism revenue to restaurants, hotels and the general hospitality industry throughout Chicago. Also, both the long and short term loss of general business and real estate investment opportunities that would have given the city yet another outlet to show off the city.

But, now that the city's taxpayers don't have to worry about the huge cost that would have been needed in infrastructure, and in industrial and residential building construction, maybe we do have another real 'Chance for Change' in that the focus could now be on meeting the basic needs of the people of Chicago that have long been forgotten, e.g., housing, transportation, education, and homelessness. Chicago's bus and rail lines need improvement, such as environmentally cleaner CTA buses, and bringing the "L" system up to the 21st century. Currently, the city has trouble handling the transportation issues for Chicago's population of 9.6 million, a rise of 73,000 between 2007 and 2008.

So, we now have another opportunity to show the world what can be accomplished by "NOT" getting the bid for the Olympics. It is that our city takes pride in its people and not just big corporate conglomerates. Yet another 'Chance for Change.'

Urban Murals in Public Spaces

Urban murals add a creative dimension to once drab public areas in sometimes unfashionable places. Murals are painted on walls of abandoned buildings, under via-ducks, sidewalks, and streets. They are expressive, entertaining, political, and sometimes provocative. Mural projects bring people together from all ethnic and racial groups allowing their work to be seen by a broader audience, e.g., the average person on the street. They beautify public areas that have been neglected by public or municipal authorities, and serve to offer creative alternatives for people to express their realities in a productive and positive medium.

Attached is a video of young adults in Newark, New Jersey, who are working with a professional artist, and former art teacher, bringing their original art to public spaces. More cities should foster this approach as an expression of the city itself, as well as a reflection of the talents of the people of their community. It certainly is better than graffiti which is often replete with gang signs, messages, and obscenities.

http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2009/09/newark_through_city_murals_put.html

Jane Jacobs, "Urban Activist"

Jane Jacobs was one of the country's top urban thinkers and activists. She fought to preserve neighborhoods from the onslaught of many urban planners who saw the top-down approach to development as a way to revitalize downtown businesses and communities. Jacobs was opposed to the development of expressways and believed in public transportation over cars. She advocated for a more pedestrian friendly environment where people would spend time interacting with each other, on bench filled sidewalks, in parks, and in neighborhood where the homes were built with front porches. Jacobs spent her life working for the people, and city planners, in preserving the neighborhoods where people live, work and play.

Having a community business district combined with residential living, "mixed use buildings", she contended, "with eyes on the streets", would make for safer neighborhoods and create more accessable and humane cities. She believed that Communities with differences in incomes, ethnic and racial groups, should and could live in "close proximity" to each other.

Jacobs was instrumental in helping to keep cities more vibrant by focusing on the people's needs and not the big corporate power base who were more interested in large scale projects, e.g., shopping malls, versus neighborhood corner stores. Her non-stop activism helped to give people the strength to fight against the "urban bulldozer" and in working together to save their cities. Jacobs once said, "cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, whey are created by everybody".

Jane Jacobs has inspired so many people to commit themselves to helping communities across the country by, in part, creating the "Jane Jacobs Homepage". These people are students who are devoted to working toward the ideal of "healthy communities -- communities that are economically, socially, politically, and environmental vibrant". Their major areas of study include Philosophy, Government, Urban Planning, Latin American Studies, Architecture, Sociology and Environmental Studies. In creating this homepage, these students hope to bring about a better understanding and awareness to the many contributions Jane Jacobs has made in the field of urban planning. Please take a minute to read about these students and their commitment to the "Power of Jane Jacobs". I'm sure that these students, touched by the works of Jacobs, will continue their quest to contribute to the growth of "healthy communities". http://bss.sfsu.edu/pamuk/urban/

Transforming Detroit's Auto Plants for Fashion Showrooms?

Well, that is one of many structural changes that is happening within Detroit's economic transformation. In a recent article in CNNMoney it discusses how the city of Detroit is trying to reinvent itself in the aftermath of the once vibrant Detroit based auto industry. It is pursuing the idea that innovation is within its reach. There is a focused drive to look at how the existing talents can be reinvented to take advantage of a new economy, as opposed to dwelling on the past. City planners are reaching out to the city's "creative minds and craftsmen" to bring about a new and growing field in "fashion", and shifting Detroit's paradigm toward a new prescribed method. Their plan is to tap into the creative expertise of former auto designers. Instead of designing cars why not put that talent to use in another way, so why not in fashion? The article contends that these car designers already have an eye toward fashion, and "understand the principles of design", so why not come up with different ways to re-innovate Detroit.

With the growing public support for "made in the USA" products, this seems like the perfect opportunity for local designers to show off their creations. A laid off auto worker, Jenna Kator, is now designing her own line of handbags. Each of her handbags are named after a Michigan city. She will be showcasing her collection in a Detroit Fashion Week show. Jenna states that as "everyone thinks of Detroit as automotive, we need to be known for more than that".

With Detroit's low overhead costs, the up and coming entrepreneur can help to bring about new industry as there are many new entry level opportunities given the depressed level of Detroit's economic condition. It seems to me that what needs to happen in Detroit, is not just a shift in a economic paradigm, but also a shift in the City's social paradigm; that diversity is an inherent strength that also must be addressed. S0, the good news is that there is more affordable housing available for many of these innovators than ever before, where profits can be in their reach in new business opportunities. This could become the basis of a truly new beginning for what was once our fourth largest and greatest city.

Immigrant Workers and Social Justice

Northeastern Illinois University held an Equity in Action conference highlighting "Immigration and Social Justice Issues". The discussion related the tremendous abuses of the Chicago Police Department against contingent and day workers, and violence perpetrated by riders against cab drivers. These two groups have withstood violations from the Chicago Police as well as various members of surrounding communities. The speakers of this conference told of incidences that demonstrated the injustice that these two groups endure, from arrests and fines, to the issuance of tickets amounting to hundreds of dollars, to physical and verbal attacks, low wages, and discrimination and racism.

As the contingent and day workers gather on public grounds, the police send a clear message to them that they will start arresting people unless they leave the premises. The speaker indicated that, "by shutting down a corner", where they gather to look for work at a local factory, "is like shutting down the factory". Many individuals have, over time, been issued tickets, arrested, or have been targets of discrimination. The speaker went on to say that "people need to change, but I can't change them unless they want to change". Many of these workers are Latinos who are employed by community members to paint their homes, or clean up landscaping, but they don't want them to live in their towns. Through a grassroots effort, the Latino workers campaigned to have a Workers Center which subsequently opened and it is the only one of its kind.

The next speaker was a former NEIU graduate in Anthropology who is continuing to take classes at the University. He is currently a cab driver who works with African Americans on rights issues. He states that 90% of the Yellow Cab drivers are an immigrant workforce and the remaining 10% are North Americans. Of that 10%, 60% are African Americans who are mostly Somali. These cabs are being ticketed for violating certain "long term" parking restrictions. The cab drivers would like to see these restrictions lifted, so that they can park overnight on business streets for more than two hours at a time through the overnight hours. This is being opposed by community efforts who do not want them parking on their streets. So, the battle continues against the conflicting interests of economic and community interests.

As an ongoing social, legal, and economic matter, many of these cab drivers suffer from physical attacks, and many of these attacks are perpetrated by people under the influence of alcohol. Through grassroots efforts, the cab drivers have started an Anti-Violence campaign which has its roots in the attack of the cab driver who had his cheekbone broken in a violent attack.

Through these grassroots organizations their goal has been to stop these atrocities against immigrant workers. They are hoping that through the success in working with the community and legislators the immigrant workers will have the proper protection they deserve and laws in place to uphold their welfare and safety rights.

The Growing Abuse of Eminent Domain

The power of eminent domain can be tough to stop, but with community support in fighting for the rights of a given neighborhood, it can be achieved especially when that power is not used in the spirit in which it was intended. Too many government agencies have been allowed to drift away from their power to condemn private property through their power of eminent domain for the public benefit. I see it in my own community where the local government is acquiring private property for private, for profit, re-development. This was not the intention of the power of eminent domain; it was to acquire private property for the public benefit as in, let's say, building a new roadway.

A coalition was formed in 2002 to try and stop this abuse. Castle Coalition is a grassroots organization helping to work with citizens and legislators to reform eminent domain laws across the country. In Chicago, coordinator Christina Walsh has been helping property owners keep their homes and small businesses in the Lincoln Square community from the hands of the city. An individual may find it difficult to 'fight City Hall', but with the support of members of the Lincoln Square community, this neighborhood has been removed from the city's "involuntary acquisition" list". "The city planned to place 16 properties - housing more than 30 businesses - on an acquisition list to make way for future private development". http://www.ij.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2042&Itemid=245

A predominantly elderly African-American Lawndale neighborhood, with a median income of $18,000, was being threatened by economic development. There were 41 properties, on the city's west side that "would qualify to be condemned by the city". This is where Christina Walsh puts on her boxing gloves as she helps organize the citizens to form the "Lawndale Alliance, which will work to ensure that the city takes out the threat of eminent domain". http://blog.castlecoalition.org/blog/?p=91

This is a typical 'David and Goliath' story where a community organizes together against the city's practice of using their power of eminent domain for the unjust acquisition of private property. These two cases became success stories because of the impact that grassroots efforts had in mustering public support against neighborhoods being added to the city's "involuntary acquisition list".

http://www.castlecoalition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=118

Joel Kotkin's "Uncool Cities"

In Joel Kotkin's article, Uncool Cities, he states that "everywhere, the middle classes are deserting the core for safer and more affordable suburbs". The safer the community, the more people desire to live there. It is not just the individual but families that want a safer, moral and affordable environment to raise their children. The middle classes may be exiting the cities for a safer community but it is certainly not a guarantee that the suburbs will provide that security; it goes beyond the middle classes. It goes to all classes. Wanting a safer place to live is what makes for a productive and, therefore, economically stable community. In order to establish a community that propagates safety, you must have the services that will provide that security in making a community desirable. It is not security alone that will draw people, it is diversity, schools, family, community, infrastructure, industry, job opportunities and yes, entertainment.

Joel Kotkin is a opposite ends of the spectrum with Robert Florida, who believes that without the help of the "Creative Class" a city will fail to be a community of "coolness". You can't have a community of technology based professionals and expect them to live in an "uncool" city. After work, there has to be something that will draw them to live there. A community needs both a reputable safe haven for families, and professionals with the expertise in research and development and also the arts, culture and other forms of entertainment, e.g., bars. If not, then it will just be a place for them to work; they will live and play somewhere else.