What's New at "A Good Community"
Here are the most recent important changes to our website, including new articles, visitor questions, and editors' answers. You'll also find links to significantly revised pages and time-sensitive or short items we want to bring to your attention. Sometimes we also add short items of interest, especially time-sensitive notes about conferences, webinars, or seasons.
Why won't people come to our community development meetings?
Visitor Question: When you ask people what is best about our little suburb close to the city, often they say it's the variety of people. When poked a little
Continue reading "Why won't people come to our community development meetings?"
Rural deed restriction
Visitor Question: People just bought a 4.146 acre tract rural property, and there's a deed restriction saying no mobile homes. The new owners just placed
17 Questions for Climate Change Planning
I think local climate change planning takes one of four pathways. Here we describe how your community can decide on an approach.
Continue reading "17 Questions for Climate Change Planning "
Nonprofit Housing Developers and CDCs Aid Revitalization
Nonprofit housing developers, or community housing or development corporations, build or renovate housing where markets fail to meet community needs..
Continue reading "Nonprofit Housing Developers and CDCs Aid Revitalization"
Commercial Corridor Redevelopment Boosts a City's Image and Finances
Commercial corridor redevelopment along major roads and highways improves a community's image and increases the likelihood of business success.
Continue reading "Commercial Corridor Redevelopment Boosts a City's Image and Finances"
Rural Community Development Requires Clever Use of Resources
Rural community development focuses on increasing problem-solving capacity, a sound economic base and school system, essential businesses, and clean-up.
Continue reading "Rural Community Development Requires Clever Use of Resources"
Community Development Grant Narratives Must Tug at Heart, But Use Data
To strengthen your community development grant narratives, you must engage both the heart and the brain if you want to receive funding for your non-profit.
Continue reading "Community Development Grant Narratives Must Tug at Heart, But Use Data"
Asset-Based Community Development Empowers Neighborhoods
Asset-based community development emphasizes identifying neighborhood strengths and talents instead of problems. This creates energy for change.
Continue reading "Asset-Based Community Development Empowers Neighborhoods"
Manufactured Housing Advantages and Disadvantages to Communities
Here is some help in deciding if manufactured housing, once called a mobile home or trailer, is an affordable hero or a blighting villain to the community.
Continue reading "Manufactured Housing Advantages and Disadvantages to Communities"
How to Organize Cleaning Up Your Neighborhood Park
Learn the steps for cleaning up your neighborhood park, starting with event preparation all the way to post-project activities.
Continue reading "How to Organize Cleaning Up Your Neighborhood Park"
Four Options for Dealing With Abandoned Buildings
Abandoned buildings and vacant lots threaten the integrity of neighborhoods. Learn about the best steps the community might take to find relief.
Continue reading "Four Options for Dealing With Abandoned Buildings"
Five Essential Principles in Planning a Community Mural
Learn the steps for painting a successful community mural. If you avoid pitfalls, this project can initiate revitalization or reinforce neighborhood identity.
Continue reading "Five Essential Principles in Planning a Community Mural"
Walkable Community Solutions
Devising a walkable community promotes health, sociability, and efficient transportation. Walking also supports local businesses.
"Front of lot" Interpretation
Visitor Question: Hello. I have some deed restrictions on my property. One of which says no residence or outbuilding can be 50 feet from the front of
Land Subsidence Can Cause Major Headaches for Taxpayers
Land subsidence, the term for sudden or gradual sinking, is a community planning issue. Development approvals can lead to dewatering.
Continue reading "Land Subsidence Can Cause Major Headaches for Taxpayers"
Join GOOD COMMUNITY PLUS, which provides you monthly with short features or tips about timely topics for neighborhoods, towns and cities, community organizations, and rural or small town environments. Unsubscribe any time. Give it a try.