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Neighborhoods & Local Communities
 Websites presented in alphabetical order @grass-roots.org 
 "Telling the stories of the nation's most innovative grassroots programs," @GRASS-ROOTS.ORG focuses on community improvement orchestrated by ordinary citizens. The accounts of these acts of voluntarism are organized geographically, breaking the continental U.S. into six regions: The Northeast , The South , The 'Rustbelt,' The Great Plains , The Rockies , and The Far West . Created by journalist Robin Garr, author of Reinvesting In America , the site contains many links to national and worldwide organizations dedicated to improving communities through innovation, empowerment, and fostering self-reliance. http://www.grass-roots.org/ Topics: Activism, Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Communities & Groups, Jobs & Work Last updated Apr 27, 2001 Central Asia Institute
The Central Asia Institute promotes "literacy, women's vocational skills, and awareness of public health and environmental issues through community initiated education programs in mountain regions of Central Asia." The organization has developed schools (many focusing on educational opportunities for girls), established vocational centers and scholarships for women, and collaborated with local communities on other initiatives. Links to news articles provide a history of the organization and its founder, Greg Mortenson. http://www.ikat.org/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Education, International Governments, Regions of the World, Regions of the World Last updated Mar 8, 2009 Cyburbia: The Urban Planning Portal
A main feature of this site is its annotated Planning Resource Directory of "Web sites and mailing lists relevant to planning, urbanism, land use, smart growth, and other topics related to the built environment." The site also has discussion forums, an editorial corner, and links to related news. http://www.cyburbia.org/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Government, Social Science Last updated Nov 28, 2004 Delocator
A site "to assist the public in finding and supporting independently owned cafes." Search by ZIP code for listings and reviews "of both independently owned cafes and Starbucks retail stores." Note: Items are listed by ZIP code rather than proximity, and some locations may be outside of the stated five-mile radius. From the group Finishing School; original installation was at the San Francisco Art Institute. http://www.delocator.net Topics: Beverages, Communities & Groups Last updated Nov 23, 2005 The Democratic Promise: Saul Alinsky and His Legacy
Companion website to a 1999 documentary that "examines both the history of community organizing -- through the work of Saul Alinsky [1909-1972] -- as well as the current state of community organizing." Features essays about Alinksy and community organizing in 1930s Chicago through the formation of groups such as the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, Alinksy's legacy, and the filmmakers. Includes a bibliography. Preview video clip no longer available. From Independent Television Service (ITVS). http://www.itvs.org/democraticpromise/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Political Parties & Theories Last updated Jan 21, 2008 Farmworker and Colonia Communities
This site provides resources about farm workers and colonias, "rural communities and neighborhoods located within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexican Border. They often lack the basic services ... running, water, electricity, and paved roads." Includes links to research aides, photos of colonias, and information about relevant programs at HUD, other government agencies, and advocacy organizations. Available in English and Spanish. From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). http://www.hud.gov/groups/swbr.cfm Topics: Agriculture, Communities & Groups, Home & Housing, Photograph Collections, Photograph Collections: Regional, Photograph Collections: Regional: United States, Poverty Last updated Nov 3, 2007 The Forgotten Americans: A Film About Los Colonias
Dedicated to colonias, "rural communities and neighborhoods located within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border that lack adequate infrastructure." Includes photographs; information on income, housing, education, health, water, waste water, and actions taken against developers; interactive sections A Colonia Experience and Build a Community; and classroom resources. Online companion to film of same title, this site features journal excerpts from filmmaker Hector Galán. From KLRU and PBS Online. http://www.pbs.org/klru/forgottenamericans/ Topics: Agriculture, Communities & Groups, Home & Housing, Poverty Last updated Apr 12, 2006 Generation X Speaks Out on Civil Engagement and the Decennial Census: An Ethnographic Approach
This 2003 study provides information and data based on 2000 census questions related to civic involvement addressed to blacks, Afro-Caribbean immigrants from Haiti and Jamaica, American Indians, Southeast Asians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic white Americans, all of whom were born between 1966 and 1980. Includes information about education, income, core values and issues, involvement in the community, and related matters. From the U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/pred/www/rpts/Generation%20X%20Final%20Report.pdf Topics: Communities & Groups, Society & Social Science, Statistics Last updated Jan 4, 2006 Homes and Communities (HUD)
This is the home page for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Topics include information on owning a home, help on renting, the homeless, filing complaints, and notices and forms; audience groups include seniors, the disabled, veterans, farmworkers, and real estate brokers; "HUD Highlights" is an ever-changing list of items of current interest. Searchable. http://www.hud.gov/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Housing, Poverty, Social Issues Last updated May 25, 2005 Indivisible: Stories of American Community
This online version of a documentary is an exploration of "how individual Americans are identifying local needs and working together to address them" by "some of this country's most accomplished photographers, radio producers, and folklorists." Includes photographs and audio and transcripts of interviews for each community. Also includes information for documenting change in your own community, an Educator's Guide , a bibliography, and related links. A project of the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. http://www.indivisible.org/ Topics: Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Communities & Groups, Jobs & Work Last updated May 14, 2003 Institute of Urban & Regional Development (IURD)
IURD "serves faculty and students of the University of California, Berkeley, conducting research into processes of urban and regional growth and decline, and effects of governing policies on the patterns and processes of development." The site provides information on current research in areas such as sustainable growth, urbanization, transportation alternatives, and disaster preparedness. Also includes annual report, newsletter, publication list, and related links. http://www-iurd.ced.berkeley.edu/ Topics: California: Education, Communities & Groups, Government, Government, Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Science, Science, Social Science Last updated Sep 6, 2006 LMDC: Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
This site includes proposals ("Concept Plans") for rebuilding the World Trade Center area, information about the Residential Grant Program for New York City residents affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks, hearing minutes, and more. "The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was created in the aftermath of September 11th by Governor Pataki and then-Mayor Giuliani to help plan and coordinate the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan." http://www.renewnyc.com/ Topics: Communities & Groups, September 11 & Beyond, Social Science Last updated Aug 12, 2005 Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
"LISC provides grants, loans and equity investments to CDCs [community development corporations] for neighborhood redevelopment. When LISC begins a new program, National LISC matches locally-raised funds." The site describes LISC programs and provides links to local program areas and resource documents in areas such as affordable housing, social and economic development (including child care), organizational development, and land use. Searchable. http://www.lisc.org/ Topics: Communities & Groups Last updated May 30, 2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
"The King Day of Service is a way to transform Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and teachings into community service that helps solve social problems." Includes a tool for finding an MLK Day service project in your area, plus project tips, PR resources, logos, reading lists, and more. From the Corporation for National & Community Service, "a federal agency that gives more than a million Americans opportunities to improve communities through service." http://www.mlkday.gov/ Topics: Black Resources, Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Communities & Groups, Holidays and Observances Individually, Holidays by Region, Jobs & Work Last updated Sep 29, 2009 National Night Out (NNO)
NNO is a yearly event to promote neighborhood spirit and crime prevention. It can include block parties, talks by police spokespersons, and other community activities. Site includes a FAQ, information regarding awards given to participating communities, online registration for the mailing list, and a national directory of communities which have participated in NNO. Links to other crime prevention organizations. http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Crime Last updated Aug 23, 2002 Neighborhood Knowledge California (NKCA)
"NKCA serves as statewide, interactive website that assembles and maps a variety of databases that can be used in neighborhood research. Its aim is to promote greater equity in housing and banking policy by providing a set of web-based tools for documenting and analyzing trends." The site presents reports and maps of California counties with associated demographic, housing, and lending information. From the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, University of California, Los Angeles. http://www.nkca.ucla.edu Topics: California, California: Government, Communities & Groups, Maps of California Last updated Aug 15, 2006 Neighborhoods Online: National
Provides "access to information and ideas covering all aspects of neighborhood revitalization...." Topics covered include economic development, community development, neighborhood environment, security, education, and families and children. Includes links to government and private advocacy groups' sites. Aimed at helping neighborhood activists and organizations gain information and resources of use in solving community problems. From the Institute for the Study of Civic Values. http://neighborhoodsonline.net/ Topics: Communities & Groups Last updated Aug 25, 2002 New York, New Visions: A Coalition for the Rebuilding of Lower Manhattan
This site presents the recommendations made by "a coalition of 20 architecture, planning, and design organizations that came together immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center." Includes principles to be followed in the rebuilding, responses to proposed plans, family member and resident workshop reports, a statement on the finalists in the memorial design competition, and other documents through December 2003. http://nynv.aiga.org/ Topics: Communities & Groups, September 11 & Beyond, Social Science Last updated Aug 14, 2005 NextStep
Searchable, browsable access to hundreds of Web sites providing "information, access to resources, opportunities for networking, and inspiration on the topic of sustainable communities." Some resources have a specific Minnesota angle, but many are of general use. The tip sheet, Sustainability 101 , is a good introduction to this topic. http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Environment, Technology Last updated Jul 24, 2002 Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA)
"OEA is the Department of Defense's primary source for assisting communities that are adversely impacted by Defense program changes, such as base realignments and closures (BRAC)." The site provides a FAQ, a BRAC timeline for communities, information about programs (such as the Defense Economic Adjustment Program and grants), and links to related documents and Web sites. Searchable. From the United States Department of Defense (DoD). http://www.oea.gov Topics: Communities & Groups, Military Last updated May 18, 2005 PLANetizen: The Planning and Development Network
This "public-interest information exchange for the urban planning and development community" includes daily news, job listings, commentary, and an events calendar. Searchable. http://www.planetizen.com/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Government, Social Science Last updated May 22, 2002 Project for Public Spaces
This nonprofit organization provides publications, technical assistance, and research to projects aiming "to create and sustain public places that build communities." Initiatives and completed projects for urban parks and markets, transportation, and livable communities are all described, as are the organization's principles. They conduct training workshops for designers and planners of public buildings, sell books and other materials on public spaces, and provide links to other related resources. http://www.pps.org/ Topics: Architecture, Communities & Groups Last updated Apr 19, 2001 Right to Play
"Right To Play is an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world." The site features a description of the programs, biographies of selected "athlete ambassadors" (many of whom are Olympians), photos, and information about volunteer opportunities. http://www.righttoplay.com/ Topics: Charity & Nonprofit Resources, Communities & Groups, Notable People, Photograph Collections, The Olympic Games Last updated May 8, 2007 Smart Communities Network: Creating Energy Smart Communities
This site offers a "menu of information and services on how your community can adopt sustainable development as a strategy for well-being." The site features case studies, links to technical and financial resources, and to model codes and ordinances communities have used to implement sustainable development. Also includes overviews of topics (such as green buildings and transportation) links to online publications, and news. Searchable. From the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Some material in Spanish. http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Energy, Environment, Technology Last updated Apr 6, 2004 Urban Institute
The Urban Institute analyzes policies, evaluates programs, and helps community development "to improve social, civic, and economic well-being." The site features reports on topics such as crime, justice, education, housing, welfare, privatization of social services, immigrants, minorities, seniors, and more. The program was begun in the mid-1960s when President Lyndon Johnson "saw the need for independent nonpartisan analysis of the problems facing America's cities and their residents." http://www.urban.org Topics: Communities & Groups, Social Science Last updated Nov 22, 2005 Vital Communities: Resources for Community Revitalization & Reinvention
This site documents "the work being done in some cities and towns and to provide information that can inspire and assist other communities in reinventing their surroundings." Includes links to Web sites about smart growth, sustainable communities, and the new urbanism. The "Resources" area provides high quality links to government and association sites and community development tools. Browsable and searchable. From the Davenport (Iowa) Public Library. http://www.vitalcommunities.com/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Government, Social Science Last updated Dec 10, 2003 Walk Score
"Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address [in the U.S.] by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score measures how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle -- not how pretty [or safe] the area is for walking." The site also "ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities to help you find a walkable place to live." San Francisco ranks first; Los Angeles is ninth. Includes maps. http://www.walkscore.com/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Outdoor Recreation Last updated Jul 22, 2008 Walk to School Day
"Walk to School Day is an energizing event, reminding parents and children alike of the simple joy of walking to school. But it's usually also a kickoff event. Walk to School Day becomes a catalyst for ongoing efforts to increase walking and bicycling all of the time." The site offers tips on organizing Walk to School events, provides a checklist to evaluate walking in your neighborhood, and has related links. http://www.walktoschool.org/ Topics: Communities & Groups, Holidays and Observances Individually, Outdoor Recreation Last updated May 18, 2004 |
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