This article builds on an important but underdeveloped social science concept--the "scene" as a cluster of urban amenities--to contribute to social science theory and subspecialties such as urban and rural, class, race and gender studies. Scenes grow more important in less industrial, more expressively-oriented and contingent societies where…

Distressed urban neighborhoods face challenges on multiple fronts, but most efforts to confront these problems work in isolation of one another. The New Communities Program (NCP) is an exception, helping selected Chicago neighborhoods develop partnerships to address challenges involving employment, education, housing, and safety in a…

This study investigated the sense of community among residents in the Spanish city of Malaga and the relationship between the components of the sense of community and the quality of life. Given that the phenomenon of immigration is a fact of city life, the authors examine how such coexistence could affect the sense of community and the quality of…

Describes an attempt to develop an instrument based on subjectively derived data, capable of assessing and classifying human communities according to social climate. The strengths of the scale are discussed as well as the types of data that might be collected to further test the instrument. (Author/SA)

Considers differing systems and variables used to distinguish city from city, and city from non-city. Reviews various approaches to urban description and classification, including those of novelists, social critics, and social scientists. Suggests that the uses of objective and subjective data are complementary rather than competing systems of…

The history of an urban squatter settlement in Bogota, Colombia, and the author's experiences with its residents in the last ten years are summarized. Topics covered include the unfriendly relationship between the government and squatter settlements; the history of the relationship between the government and this particular barrio; the demography…

This bibliography was compiled to provide scholars and practitioners with a comprehensive listing of materials related to urban neighborhoods as social, political, or economic units. The bibliography contains more than 200 citations of materials published in the late 70s and 1980. Each entry is accompanied by a summary and content codes which…

This paper summarizes the discussion from a forum to explore a logical and feasible means by which South Florida could reach its carrying capacity and experience no further growth. The opening presentation explained the relationships among (1) the area's land, water, and natural ecosystems, (2) natural sources of energy and imported fuels, (3)…

Describes the history and evolution of the American skid row; analyzes the changes it has undergone, particularly in the face of urban renewal; and speculates on its future. Includes opinions of the inhabitants of skid row which were obtained from interviews. (MJL)

This book lists and rates 219 U.S. "micropolitan" areas, defined as small cities and their surrounding territories, or combinations of neighboring small cities. The book consists of tables rating these cities, listed by state, in each of the following 10 categories: (1) climate and environment; (2) diversions; (3) economics; (4)…

Describes "Site Omaha" an interactive public arts project designed to explore alternative art venues in the urban environment and to create a common link between artists and other community members. "Site Omaha" initiated innovative community arts projects. Provides a brief overview of urban environmental art. (MJP)