Had the opportunity recently to speak with some great neighbors about what makes a better neighborhood. What follows are the notes I brought to the conversation. Neighbors were very focused on our public spaces and third places – those spot where we can come together and interact as a community, be they local parks they are willing to make better or places needed on our Main Street.
What makes a great urban neighborhood?
We have great neighborhoods in Woodley Park and Cleveland Park. But we can also envision ways to make them better.
Vibrancy
People mixing, shopping, relaxing, eating, sipping; retail, third places, public spaces. Having places that are more than transactional. Places that make you want to meet up, stay, linger, people watch.
Walkability
Not requiring a car to do everything; a neighborhood where the young and old can safely walk, bike, and roll. Having walking access to good, reliable transit.
Diversity
A neighborhood that is welcoming and attainable for people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds.
Safety
People watch out for one another.
Sustainability
Living in ways that don’t negatively contribute to the climate crisis.
Conditions that promote those traits
Proximity
The 15-minute city. Living, working, shopping, entertaining are all close by. Frequently encountering neighbors.
Infrastructure
Safe sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, protected bike lanes, inviting public realm for seating, socializing, and playing.
Density of People
Successful commercial areas need foot traffic throughout the day. Transit needs a steady stream of rider to sustain itself. Commercial areas were built for another era, and now needs more people to sustain the square footage.
Range of affordability
Can people who work here live here? Can our kids raise their families here? Can family, and family caregivers live near loved ones? Are housing costs growing such that we who live here now might not be able to buy into the neighborhood if our younger selves had to do it?
Active eyes on the street
Jane Jacobs, the writer and New Yorker who was a keen observer of urban life and what makes cities great, talked about active streets, shops, stoops, porches and windows where people looked out for one another. More people, more eyes. More activity throughout the day and evening contributes to eyes on the street.
What can we do?
Helping neighborhoods evolve is hard, especially when they are designed not to evolve. It takes intentional action to overcome both inertia and resistance to change. Cleveland Park Smart Growth was designed to be a place to educate, organize, and advocate for a better neighborhood.
Things we have been advocating for:
- Vibrancy, revitalization, Main Street
- Denser corridors
- Safer more complete streets: bike lanes, the Promenade, lower speeds and traffic calming
- More diverse housing choices off the corridors
How You Can Take Action
- Sign-up at cpsmartgrowth.com
- Check out our Urbanism Resources: videos, books, article, podcasts
- Join an ANC committee
- Respond to call to action
Cleveland Park Smart Growth 