A strong, thriving neighborhood provides the resources and relationships for every person to reach their full potential. However, neighborhoods are complex and capturing the strength of a neighborhood can be challenging.
Below is one way to do so– The Strong Neighborhood Index. This index details the real life components thriving neighborhoods use, and the long-term outcomes this produces. The goal is not for this to be an academic tool, but a simple, practical tool for neighborhood leaders. This resource will help you map the strengths of your neighborhood and identity areas for growth to achieve lasting community-driven change.
Vital Conditions Framework
In 2017, a team led by ReThink Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation came together to fully describe the conditions that are essential to health and well-being. The result was the Vital Conditions Framework which details the community conditions necessary for each person to thrive. Vital signs, like heart rate and temperature tell us what is going on in our body. Vital conditions tell us what is going on in our community. When these conditions are active and accessible within a community, everyone thrives.
At the center of the graphic is “Belonging & Civic Muscle”, which is the foundation to achieve all other conditions. This condition creates the environment where people can effectively work together towards each of the other indicators.
The Vital Conditions framework has been instrumental in building strong, healthy communities. However, while many implement this work at the city, regional, or national level, we believe the neighborhood is the best place to start. Neighborhoods are a powerful unit of change. They are small enough for residents to be at the center of creating change while still being able to have a meaningful impact on each of the vital conditions.
Improving the vital conditions at the neighborhood level requires a new way to measure the strength of neighborhoods. One that captures the social, civic, physical, and economic factors that impact health and well-being.
Over the past 20 years, we’ve learned the five elements that transform neighborhoods from isolation and distrust to belonging and civic capacity. These are the elements that build strong neighborhoods where all people flourish.
The Strong Neighborhood Index
Strong, thriving neighborhoods provide the resources and relationships for every person to reach their full potential. They are a mixture of physical infrastructure, civic infrastructure, and social infrastructure– which while each unique, work to support and reinforce one another.
Neighborhoods are at their strongest when they activate the following five elements and develop a culture and infrastructure where residents own these as a part of their lives. The basis for this index is rooted in asset-based and relationship-driven approaches, which are the approaches used to activate each of these components.
1. Neighborhood Story
A Neighborhood Story shares who we’ve been, what we value and how we come together. This also includes the neighborhood having a name, boundaries, and identity. Residents know the history and are actively a part of shaping the identity of the neighborhood.
2. Block-Level Social Connection
At the block level (8-12 houses), neighbors know one another, communicate, and choose to spend time together. This creates a sense of belonging where neighbors support one another regularly and in times of crises like natural disasters.
3. Associational Life
Neighbors create and join together in groups around shared interests and goals. The neighborhood has organizational capacity that is resident led and can access the funding and resources needed for long-term goals
4. Activated Third Places
The neighborhood has accessible, inclusive third spaces that neighbors can access via walking or bike riding. The spaces are activated through programs and events that bring neighbors together across different socioeconomic statuses, backgrounds, and life stages.
5. Healthy Economic Engine
The neighborhood provides everyday services and facilities within or nearby it. Neighbors choose to spend their time, money, and assets within the neighborhood and support the local economy.
When residents leverage the assets of their neighborhood to co-create these five elements, there is a shared sense of belonging and ability to shape the future together. These neighborhoods flourish because people are engaged where they live, are contributing toward its vibrancy, and are co-creating a better future for all.
Want to learn more about the Strong Neighborhood Index and how to apply it in your community? Schedule a Discovery Call today.
* At CommunityWorks, there’s a real person behind these blogs. While we may use AI for specific information or content, the materials we produce are created by our team.