Recent and projected population growth has forced the Twin Cities to increasingly "think regionally", to frame problems in regional terms and seek solutions at the regional level. Yet the daily lives of the region’s citizens, in particular low-income residents, people of color and new immigrants, continues to be played out on a neighborhood scale as people seek access to affordable housing, reliable public transportation, education and goods and services. The necessity of balancing neighborhood-scale needs against regional concerns is placing increasing responsibility on neighborhood organizations.  The Center’s Neighborhood Futures Project is an educational and organizing campaign designed to assess the challenges faced by neighborhood organizations (including staffing, funding, and inclusive participation) and to define a common set of principles to guide future neighborhood work.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The Neighborhoods Futures Project is involved in ongoing work that highlights how cities throughout the country go about engaging communities in decision-making.  Tools developed to date include:

U.S. City Engagement Models - Matrix of Components

National Engagement Models - Powerpoint Presentation

ARCHIVE

In 2003, the Neighborhood Futures Project undertook both research and convening activities, including:

In 2002, the Neighborhood Futures Project produced a Statement of Values, Accomplishments and Intentions of the Twin Cities Neighborhood Movement. This discussion paper describes the reasons why neighborhood-scale work is so important and addresses the challenges that face neighborhoods.