Briefly reports observations made of Washington, D. C. neighborhoods, describing how these areas are functional or dysfunctional for children and families. Suggests ways the urban environment can be improved to support community life. (RH)

A brief description of the transformation of a vacant lot into a small park is presented. (RW)

This article traces the history and development of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. This foundation has been notably successful in preserving neighborhoods for their original inhabitants and now has the first urban renewal program to be based on historic preservation for poor people. (BT)

The influx of middle class individuals and families from the suburbs to the cities is reversing the trend of decay in American cities. Rehabilitation and revitalization are underway in many downtown areas. (RLV)

Discusses the factors restricting access to the outdoors and the social and environmental aspects of the changing ecology of childhood. It calls for a new sense of child-biosphere relations and points to the international conventions and other venues where this theme is being taken up. (GR)

The Hartford project, an experimental effort to reduce residential burglary, street robberies, and fear of those crimes in an urban residential neighborhood, is described. Its most distinctive feature is its integrative approach in which police, community organization, and physical design changes were used to increase the willingness and ability…

This paper examines the attempts to rebuild downtown Detroit. Two models for redevelopment are examined: (1) the use of private sector investment as exemplified by the Renaissance Center Complex; and (2) the "solidary neighborhood" model, which involves the use of community labor and participation. The "Renaissance model" of…

The author reviews the evolution of community development in a social work context in Hong Kong over the past decade, including riots, committees, block development, social actions, and politicization. He also comments on the role of the social worker in this context. (MF)

This study produced an empirical description of environmental quality in reference to residential use by taking item responses of 2,541 residents of the San Francisco Bay Area and subjecting them to factor analysis. Twenty factors which provide a definition of environmental quality were produced. (BT)

State-mandated reforms in educational practices, such as class-size reduction, have created the need for more and better educational facilities, but pressure from growth and poor planning decisions are stretching other forms of public infrastructure development to the limit and draining economic vitality from cities and towns. Current programs,…

The purpose of this eight-unit course is to explore the values and issues of modern urban neighborhoods. It focuses on how community leaders can apply the broad principle of justice to problems of security, reciprocity, and fellowship that face most neighborhoods today. The course is intended for use by community leaders in building community…

Examines the effect of community development projects on Detroit (Michigan) over the past decade. Concludes that community development has failed to increase the number of jobs available and has contributed to neighborhood deterioration. (FMW)

City schools must infuse strength into the young which is equal to the malignant forces which threaten their young lives and future happiness. Effective comprehensive planning must begin with an honest estimate of the desired output. Title I and Model Cities are two parallel programs sponsored by the Federal Government which seek to give help to…

This article discusses the redevelopment process in the context of views of developers, potential newcomers to a redeveloped area, and the residents of such an area. It is a qualitative accounting of the similarities and differences of these groups and how and why they are either willing or unwilling to participate. (Author/SSH)

Offers four themes in the scaffolding of a critical education that advance grassroots activism in learning communities of praxis (scale, ownership, connection, and enterprise). Presents an example of a youth development project that affirms democracy via shared decision making, group motivation, self-esteem, and agenda setting opportunities…