At a summit exploring social justice - with a strong focus on community engagement - we wanted to involve the community, so we decided to give them a voice by asking them to share their opinions to an audience of those that shape the built environment about what they think makes a successful community. They had some very important things to communicate. Please see quotes from the survey below:
RESULTS OF COMMUNITY SURVEY:
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"Residents should be trained and supported so they can meaningfully participate in the design of the spaces and communities in which they will live."
Community Leader, New Haven, CT
"Equity is deep and can’t be created with superficial solutions. It starts with listening to those with marginalized identities."
Educator/ Farmer, New Haven, CT
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"Respond to unsafe conditions that harm minorities with as much urgency as those that harm white lives."
Community Organizer, New Haven, CT
"Resident leaders, people who are knowledgeable about the history of the area should be consulted and encouraged to bring their neighbors along in the process from initial conceptualization to project approval by local government."
Community Leader, New Haven, CT
"Walkability empowers peoples of all socio-economic levels to engage in the community and, by seeing their neighbors, increases the level of civic pride, and increases resilience as community members can better access services."
Educator, Chesire, CT
"It is imperative to show residents where their input shows up in your design\build, and when it can not show up, to take the time to explain why it does not to those who have taken the time to participate in the process."
Community Leader, New Haven, CT
"Successful communities listen to each other and center needs in a flexible way."
Educator/ Farmer, New Haven, CT
"The problem solver skill set that most architects have, combined with knowledge of the area, including history, must be combined with effective communication skills to create what feels like a win for all parties involved in the project."
Community Leader, New Haven, CT
"People need safety and a beautiful environment to thrive."
Educator/ Farmer, New Haven, CT
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"Diversity, inclusion, and access to healthcare and education make a community successful"
Teacher, New York, NY
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"Provide opportunities for fun interactions so we can get to know each other and work together when necessary."
Community Activist, New Haven, CT
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"Regular cleaning and business involvement in the upkeep of our neighborhoods, bus shelters, traffic calming measures such as stop signs, speed bumps, and pedestrian crossings, and handicapped access to nature preserves are critical for safe and successful neighborhoods."
Community Organizer, New Haven, CT
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"A successful community provides mobile space for actionable human activities, individually, grouped and haphazardly intermittent. Like a library or market for mobility, intellect, and community."
Handyman/Dancer, New York, NY
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"Recreational access to natural resources, public spaces for cookouts, seasonal availability of food trucks, and retail outlets are critical for making a neighborhood a destination and encourage planned and unplanned encounters."
Community Activist, New Haven, CT
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"Activities I organize to strengthen my community are organizing neighborhood trash cleanup days, hosting summer kickoff for kids, and informing city departments and police of neighbors' concerns"
Community Organizer, New Haven, CT