is a community revitilazation effort that starts with you. Ask how you can help.
If you live in a planned neighborhood where color schemes and landscaping, trees and beauty exists then you are very fortunate. That is the American dream.
Some of our neighbors aren't so lucky.
Our goal:
To redesign a blighted or underutilized community, one block at a time, to achieve a cohesive community result..like a planned neighborhood.
Our teen students are given a project of 1 block that needs their help. A mentor guides them in the planning of urban redesign. Their research includes working with design, landscape and architectural college students and interns to achieve specific results.
We align each block with these standards in green redesign by
landscaping
creating a unified flow
to soften the hardscape
sidewalk trees
with a theme
appropriate to the conditions
to add shade
to cut down on greenhouse gases
green elements
solar uses; lighting and heating
draining pavements
recycling to reduce waste
cohesive redesign:
color of paint choices so the neighborhood takes on eye friendly appeal.
style themes blended, so mixed uses like warehouses and car lots don't overbear.
budget coordination
selection of priority of at least three style elements to achieve results
to request donations and coordinate volunteers to stay within budget
community relations
writing letters to property owners, tenants
researching grants
contacting city officials
Method; photograph, sketch ideas, get community consensus, work out budget and ideas, make a plan, coordinate materials and volunteers, action, celebration, publicity.
As you can see..there are a great many ways you can help, be a mentor to a teen, get involved and make a difference. Thank you for your ideas and your input.