Character Towns - Part Two: Why they matter

I have spent the better part of two years working on building character neighborhoods. Planner and author Bill Kercher, in his books Character Towns and Character Main Streets (available from Amazon and the Orange County Public Library) speaks about the critical factor of a city, or in my case, an unincorporated area, being strong and engaged physically and economically. He also expounds on why communities need quality, social infrastructure.

I often quote that no man is a prophet in his own town, as is the case in my own neighborhood. I only have about 25% of the residents liking my District 2 Facebook page. If you saw the problem with storm debris, you could easily recognize that my neighbors are not hooked into the page. On it I shared that the trick is to bundle the debris with twine, or put it properly in the six-can maximum until the regular lawn debris service picks it up. Just throwing debris in a big pile and waiting for the FEMA-paid special contract though public works could take 5-6 weeks. These crews are focusing on the worst hit areas, and that certainly wasn’t District 2. 

District 2 Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore

If my neighbors were more socially connected, however, it would be a cinch to have the community cleaned up in a matter of a few weeks. I even knocked on a few doors, and those that opened their door, received a one-on-one explanation. Yet, still about 40 percent of my neighbors don’t know. What is the issue? Suburban neighborhoods are poorly-connected socially. Socialization must improve in all neighborhoods if we wish to experience character neighborhoods and downtowns.

For example, the team that won my recent Corridor of the Year Friendly Contest was the best socialized. It is interesting to watch them. They successfully use text blasts, Facebook page announcements, e-mail communication, and more. For the competition,  they mounted successful volunteer days with a dozen or two volunteers every Saturday morning. Just about every resident saw their neighbors pressure washing, raking, trimming trees, painting walls, and more. So, consequently, more people joined in the effort!

Why doesn’t this approach work in my neighborhood then? I believe it’s because there are few regular projects or activities. HOA and regular neighborhood leaders must develop multiple opportunities for residents to interact and engage. It is hard work and can be disappointing in the beginning, but, even if the first event starts small, have faith that you’ve started on the right path by engaging neighbors. 

I believe, together, we can build character neighborhoods, areas, corridors, and main streets. The charge is to build active social networks which build stronger bonds through community projects and action. 

To read part one of Character Towns, go here.