| Boundaries Are the boundaries geographical, political, or economic? Do neighborhoods have names? Are there sub-communities? How are these identified? | Notes (to make notes about the questions on the left) |
| Housing and Zoning What is the age of the buildings? Are the residences single-family or multifamily dwellings? What is the age and condition of housing in the neighborhoods you�re surveying? Are houses and apartment buildings kept up, or do they run down and need repair? Are yards neat or overgrown? Are other buildings mostly or entirely occupied? Do public and commercial buildings seem accessible to people with disabilities � ramped, street-level entries, etc.? What about housing for the elderly (SNF, ALF, Residential homes, Foster homes)? | |
| Signs of Decay Is the area well-maintained or in disrepair? Is there garbage strewn? Are there trashed/abandoned cars, places for rodents or other wildlife to hide, and vacant lots? | |
| Parks and Recreational Areas Are there play areas for children and adults? Are they safe and maintained? Is there a Community Center? Who uses them? Are there public spaces where people can gather? Are they well kept up? Do they have seating areas, trees, plants, attractive designs, cafes or food vendors, or other features to encourage people to use the space? Who uses these spaces? Is there diversity? Does a variety of people use parks? Are they well kept up? Are there sports facilities � basketball courts, soccer pitches, baseball fields, cricket pitches, etc.? Are they used at night? Any concerns about homeless people sleeping in the park or drug use creating concerns for safety at any time? Are they being used for their intended purpose? Are they accessible to all? | |
| Common Areas Where do people collect for social gatherings; where do they �hang out�? Are they for particular groups, or are they open to all? Are there signs posted? | |
| Stores What are stores (grocery, retail, drug, dry cleaning, etc.) in the area? How do residents travel to them? | |
| Environmental Quality How much usable green space is there, and is it scattered throughout the community? Is there smog or haze? Does the air smell of smoke, garbage, car exhaust, chemicals, industrial waste, etc.? Does the water in streams, ponds, lakes, etc., seem reasonably clear? Do you happen to have an industry in your community or city known to cause some issues with environmental quality? | |
| Transportation How do most people get around the area? Is there public transportation? If so, what kind and does it appear to be used? Who uses it? What is the condition of the streets, roads, and highways? Is there a functioning public transportation system? Is it well used? By whom? Does it allow relatively easy access to all parts & members (consider low-income, elderly & disabled) of the community? How easy is it to navigate and use? How much does it cost? Are its vehicles energy-efficient? How heavy is traffic in the community? Is it primarily commercial and industrial � vans, trucks, etc. � or mostly private cars? Is there much bicycle traffic? Are there bike lanes? | |
| Commercial Activity and Industry What kinds of businesses are there? Are there boarded-up or vacant storefronts? Is there a mix of large and small businesses? Are there grocery stores and supermarkets, pharmacies, and other stores that provide necessities in all parts of the community? What kinds of industry exist in the community? Does it seem to be causing pollution? Are they accessible and equitable (cost/transportation/architectural access)? What are the major industries located in the area? What types of occupations are evident? | |
| Communication Is there evidence of local and national newspapers to other media? Are there informational posters on streets, buses, billboards, etc.? | |
| Service Centers What services are available in the community � health care, social services, schools, employment offices, etc.? | |
| People in the Community Who is in the area during the day? What evidence is there of particular �classes� of people � upper, middle, working, lower? | |
| Public/Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities Are schools in different neighborhoods in noticeably different states of repair? Are schools well maintained? Are there colleges and universities in the community? Preschools? | |
| Protective Services Where are fire and police stations located? Is there evidence of police and fire protection in the area? | |
| Streetscape and Street/Alley Use The streetscape is the environment created by streets and the sidewalks, buildings, trees, etc., that line them. Are there trees and/or plants? Are there sidewalks? Are building facades and storefronts attractive and welcoming? Are the streets and sidewalks relatively clean? Are there trash cans? Is there outdoor seating? Are there people on the streets at most times of the day? In the evening? How late? Do they interact with one another? Are streets and sidewalks well-lit at night? | |
| Community Safety Where are police and fire stations located? Are they in good repair? Is the community well-lit at night? Other areas of safety concern specific to your community? | |
| Race/Ethnicity What is the predominant ethnic group? Are there residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, or is the community mostly one group? Which one? Are stores, restaurants, churches, schools, or languages indicating a particular ethnic group(s)? Who lives in the community? Are there identifiable racial and ethnic groups? Do particular groups seem to live in particular areas? What kinds of religious institutions are there? Do the institutions of one particular religion or sect dominate? Are there separate houses of worship for people of different ethnicities or races, even if they share the same faith? Do all feel welcome through the food, worship, and acceptance in the community? How do they fit in your community? Often times many offer support through food boxes, clothes closets, or group sessions (AA/NA)? | |
| Religion/Faith Communities What churches and church-run schools are in the area (denomination)? How many are there in each denomination? | |
| Health and Morbidity Is there evidence of any health problems such as drug/alcohol abuse, communicable or chronic diseases, mental illness (etc.)? | |
| Health Services and Community/Public/Social Services How many hospitals and clinics are there in the community? Where are they located? How big are they? How easy are they to get to? Are there identifiable community service providers and organizations in the community � mental health centers, food banks, homeless shelters, welfare offices, etc.? Are they concentrated in a particular area? Are they easy to reach by public transportation? Are they accessible to those that may not have medical insurance? Where are the nearest services (medical, dental, vision, hearing) if not in your immediate community? Where are the nearest government social offices, such as the public health department that provides WIC and financial aid or the social security offices? You don�t need to drive just google it and include it in your report. | |
| Pride for the Area, Engagement, and Entertainment Are there museums, libraries, theaters, restaurants, clubs, sports stadiums, historic sites, festivals or group celebrations, etc.? Are they accessible to all parts of the community (centrally located, reachable by public transportation)? Do they reflect the cultures of community members? Libraries, senior centers, public pools, and youth centers are very important to communities and often offer more equitable access to community residents. | |
| Politics/Political Activities Is there evidence of political activity? Are there any signs that indicate a predominant political party (parties)or concern(s)? Is it clear that political activity is allowed and/or encouraged? |