West Philadelphia's physical environment is, in large part, defined by the condition of communities. In Part Three, "Neighborhoods and Housing," recommendations address site-specific problems that are encountered in West Philadelphia's residential and commercial areas. However, a more general course of action is also recommended: community empowerment.
Community empowerment refers to the capacity within a community for improvements to be accomplished through the initiative of local residents. Community empowerment has important advantages. First, resident-initiated actions put the community in control; the community can control a plan, a project, or (in the broadest sense) its destiny. Second, the residents' accomplishments will cause a spirit of self-help and self determination to become firmly established in the community. Third, this spirit represents a lasting community-based capability for positive change. Fourth, building greater self-reliance by communities is a safeguard against the kind of economic downturn and fiscal crisis that the City of Philadelphia is trying to overcome during the 1990's.
Community empowerment can happen at many levels: at a grass-roots level or through more sophisticated community-based mechanisms. Projects can be initiated by individuals, block groups, neighborhood groups and community development corporations.
Personal commitment, at the level of the individual resident, is the bottom-line ingredient in community empowerment. Personal commitment is also the bottom-line challenge because individuals face so many competing demands for their time; but behind every creative neighborhood improvement is at least one resident who somehow managed to find the necessary time and energy.
Effective resident-initiated improvement strategies also require that residents become organized. Block clubs must be established. Block captains must emerge as leaders. Sustained effort is required. Persistence and patience are needed.
Community clean-ups can become periodic rituals for residents of a block. Block clubs can participate in the annual "clean block" contest sponsored by the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee. Brick houses can be repointed. Porches can be painted. Vacant houses can creatively be made to look occupied. Coordinated paint schemes, whether they are historically accurate or boldly designed, can be used on the exterior of homes.
Street trees can be planted and sidewalks can be repaired. Shrubbery, flower boxes and planters can be placed in front of individual homes, along with lampposts that are both attractive and crime-deterring. Gardens can be planted on vacant lots behind wooden or wrought-iron fences that stand alongside the sidewalk. Local store owners can erect awnings and signage that fits in with surrounding buildings, and the managers of apartment complexes can keep the week's trash neatly hidden inside enclosures. Billboards can be removed from rooftops and graffiti can be removed from walls. "Welcome to our Neighborhood" signs can be placed at major entrances to the neighborhood.
Most of these improvements are inexpensive, and many are "do-it-yourself" projects; but when they are undertaken for building after building, they will dramatically improve the appearance of a block. Another result is also guaranteed: community pride.
When special help or resources are needed for small-scale improvements, many sources can be tapped. The City can arrange for a street to be blocked-off; this may be needed for a day of repair work or for a block party that celebrates residents' accomplishments. When clean-up projects are organized, the City Streets Department can provide trash bags, clean-up tools and specially-scheduled trash pickup. The Community Affairs officer from the Police Department can advise the residents about security in the home and on the block. Residents can approach a nearby business, hospital or university for donations of supplies, labor, transportation or technical expertise.
Individuals and block groups can also turn to the local neighborhood organization for support in making physical improvements to their neighborhoods. Neighborhood organizations, which are listed in Part Three of the plan, are a critical resource for community empowerment. They are sometimes known as community groups, civic associations and neighborhood councils. They can coordinate the efforts of block clubs and they address issues at the neighborhood level. Neighborhood organizations represent local residents in discussions with elected officials, government agencies and departments, property owners, for-profit and non-profit developers, investors and employers. The City Planning Commission has a long tradition of providing technical assistance to neighborhood organizations.
Neighborhood groups often communicate with each other and pursue common interests by joining "umbrella" organizations that work for the betterment of an entire district of the city. West Philadelphia is fortunate to have two effective organizations of this type: the West Philadelphia Coalition of Neighborhoods and Businesses, and the West Philadelphia Partnership. These organizations interface with government and the private sector; they establish goals, and engage in planning. These "umbrella" groups also foster a spirit of self-determination and community control that is shared by all member organizations.
Community development corporations (CDCs) are arguably the most sophisticated form of community self-help. These are community-based non-profit organizations created for the purpose of developing housing or community facilities. They are funded by government grants, donations from private businesses, and donations from philanthropic organizations. The City's Office of Housing and Community Development gives significant emphasis to supporting CDCs, and the Planning Commission supports CDCs by assisting in their planning and by sharing information and resources.
Some kinds of physical improvements will benefit any neighborhood. Most of these actions can be implemented by property owners and community organizations.
Neighborhoods can be beautified through the installation of shrubbery, flower boxes, lamp posts, gardens, attractive fencing, and murals. Street trees and lighting are also important. Street trees should be maintained in good health and new ones should be provided where appropriate. A variety of species and spacing can be used to identify special places.
Supplemental street lighting can be provided to improve safety and for its decorative possibilities where possible and appropriate. Height, spacing, intensity and the color of street lighting can be used to underscore the intended roles of specific streets, either residential or commercial. And all curbs, sidewalks and street surfaces should be maintained in good condition.
In commercial areas, awnings on retail streets can be very effective in identifying and unifying the special character of the street. However, heavy rigid structures which are costly and have high maintenance requirements (like the shoppers' canopy at 52nd Street) should be avoided. Patterns and colors of awnings should be coordinated amongst the shop owners.
An excellent example of creative and effective signage is found in the Overbrook Farms neighborhood, where a community group designed and installed "welcome" signs at neighborhood boundaries. Neighborhood retail areas can also be identified as special with a signage program specific to the area. Care should be taken so that the signs are attractive and well placed and not simply add clutter to the streetscape.
Bus shelters and benches that now serve as product advertising should be considered for their possibilities for giving identity to neighborhoods or commercial strips.
| webmaster@partners.upenn.edu |