Bill Kercher

Character Neighborhoods Bill Kercher

Character Neighborhoods is a guide for preserving, enhancing and creating "complete neighborhoods"... Neighborhoods having a full array of people, incomes and affordable housing with new and preserved single family homes, "missing middle" housing, apartments and condominiums with parks, schools and shops that succeed socially, economically and physically. Character emanates from emotion, from feelings like community pride and hometown spirit, and abstract ideals like happiness, love, authenticity and integrity. Completeness fills in the physical features like decent housing, safe and calm streets, verdant parks, excellent schools and robust nearby shopping districts. A sustainable approach ensures neighborhood durability. Connections make it all work as a holistic system with an integrated "green" physical framework, a sound interdependent economic base and a ubiquitous social network. Resident associations are the critical elements that nurture the vision needed to build a desirable and sustainable residential quality of life. City programs to create and enhance neighborhood associations are essential. Neighborhood plans outline the strategy that becomes a joint venture between the host city and the neighborhood association to turn the community's vision into actions. Citywide regulatory, infrastructure and socialization programs, equally applied to all neighborhoods, are necessary to maintain and enhance strong neighborhoods, improve struggling neighborhoods and properly anticipate yet-to-be built neighborhoods. Planning and implementing comprehensive, long-term programs in every neighborhood builds a strong city. Vision, leadership and participation are the critical factors for sustaining character neighborhoods.