Restoring Community Self Determination

During the past century, the world-wide transition from rural to urban life accelerated at an unprecedented rate. Humanity can now be characterized as an urban species. Eighty-three percent of all people reside in urban areas. Eighty-five percent of all jobs are created in urban areas.

Yet there is a concern about the quality of life in our cities. Many neighborhoods, and indeed whole cities, face complex and difficult issues. All too often "at risk" neighborhoods are characterized by concentrated poverty, racial separation and isolation, low levels of academic achievement among children, a poor economic base for industry, weak social ties, and a sense of powerlessness and isolation. Lack of self-sufficiency and self-determination undermines restoration of neighborhood, community, and perhaps, American democratic values.

While no single approach can magically transform "at risk" communities into "thriving" ones, some models are approaching community change from a new and promising perspective. These models, referred to as comprehensive community-building initiatives (CBIs) or community-based participatory research (CBPR), recognize that change in individuals is fundamental to development of community self-determination and transformation.

From "at risk"...to "thriving"

CBIs focus on the core components of social networks—engagement in communities at the personal, social, educational, and economic levels. They involve building self-determination, self-confidence, personal skills, relationships among and between neighborhoods and institutions, a sense of power over personal and neighborhood life, and access to and control of resources.

Thus, transforming communities requires transformation of neighborhoods, which in turn requires transformation in residents by creating a sense of community, organized participation, formal and informal neighboring, and a belief in collective efficacy (the ability to achieve change). All of these are foundational to creating a sense of well-being, both individually and collectively.

Such changes in attitudes and behavior are achieved by participation in block, neighborhood, and building associations; faith-based community service or advocacy committees; and coalitions, school-based associations, and other grass-roots community organizations.

As noted by John W. Gardner (2006), psychologist, founder of Common Cause, and former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, "The surest cure for the sense of powerlessness that afflicts so many citizens today is to take action on the problems of their own communities, restoring belief in their capacity to make a difference."

Comprehensive community-building initiatives (CBIs) and self-determination approaches to community change research are effective approaches to enable citizens, neighborhoods, and communities to restore their belief that change is possible. Such programs require commitment from funding agencies, universities, and other societal institutions to partner with citizens over significant time periods to enhance the quality of community life.

References

Foster-Fishman, P. G., Cantillon, D., Pierce, S. J., & Van Egeren, L. (In press). Building an active citizenry: The role of neighborhood problems, readiness, and capacity for change. American Journal of Community Psychology.

Foster-Fishman, P. G., Fitzgerald, K., Brandell, C., Nowell, B., Chavis, D., & Van Egeren, L. (In press). Mobilizing residents for action: The role of small wins and strategic supports. American Journal of Community Psychology.

Gardner, J. W. (1994, September). There is more than a ray of hope for America's future: Rebuilding America's sense of community. Journal for Quality and Participation, 17(5). Retrieved July 8, 2007 from www.worldtrans.org/qual/americancommunity.html