I’ve always been fascinated about how neighbourhoods and communities develop. When I was a reporter at the Brooks Bulletin, my favourite beat was town council because I could have discussions with municipal planners regarding the concepts for new neighbourhoods.
Last night, I had the opportunity to hear Jim Diers, who works across North America with cities and towns on community engagement.
The City of Edmonton held three community building workshops and invited representatives from community leagues, churches and non-profits to attend these sessions.
Diers wrote a book, Neighbour Power, and outlined his concepts to over 200 people at the Mayfield Inn.
Many of his points struck home with me. I grew up on a tree-lined street in Montreal where we knew the majority of our neighbours. Society has evolved to the point where we barely talk to the people next door and we have lost the sense of community.
“Community can’t be a spectator sport. Everyone has to be involved,” said Diers.
He led us through a cheer where half the room shouted “neighbourhood” and the other half would respond, “power!”
It felt awkward but it also was a very free thinking moment.
Neighbourhoods need gathering places so people in the community can “bump” into each other repeatedly. By doing so, we develop relationships and common interests. These interests can bloom into passions we share about our neighbourhood and community. It becomes a vehicle for collective action as Diers phrases it.
He illustrated many stories as examples of how these bumping places blossomed into positive community projects, including the revitalization of 118 Avenue in Edmonton.
Diers also emphasized that while residents or community leaders must take action themselves instead of waiting for government to solve problems, they should also make it fun by luring others with food, music and activities.
“Why have a meeting when you can have a party?” asked Diers.
Another point that hit home with me is we should be asking people what their strengths are and recognizing their gifts of what they can bring to the community.
He told of a story about a soup kitchen where the homeless were served. One of the people running the soup kitchen asked the men lining up for food what their gifts were. A homeless man said, “I can cook.” So he and others began cooking at the soup kitchen and developed their talents.
We should toss aside labels of unemployed, at-risk youth, single parent, disabled, said Diers.
Dig deeper and discover what talents or passions these people have to help develop our community.
“Discover the buried treasure in your community. Look inside your neighbourhood for the solution,” he added.
Many of the reasons why people opt out of building or developing their communities is because they are not shopping or using services locally. Many Edmonton neighbourhoods do not have bumping spaces.
Over the years I’ve also come across these concepts through the work of Avi Friedman and Jeremy Sturgess who also encourage community development.
So think about why you are passionate about your neighbourhood. How do you want to see it develop? How can you create “bumping spaces”?
Start with a block party. Find out the strengths of your neighbours. Perhaps create a labour exchange where people help each other with home improvements or a babysitting exchange.
Then watch community conversation grow.
I don’t think we have “evolved” to the point where neighbours hardly talk. We have devolved to the point where we don’t talk.
Social Media, public and rapid transit, and other forms of communication have made it possible for us to communicate effectively with people all over the city, province, country or world. We are no longer tied directly to the small group of houses around us.
I have absolutely nothing in common with my neighbours. There is no cultural or social glue binding us together. This is most apparent when the people I communicate or fellowship with are spread out across the entire city, province, country and even the continent.
I don’t think, in my particular neighbourhood, there will ever be a meeting to discuss anything. Sad but true, and I can live with it. What I would not want to lose are the relationships built with people who have common interests, be they local or not.
It’s unfortunate that you haven’t connected with your neighbours. In my experience, neighbours are a very worthy resource.
Don’t you also care what happens in your immediate neighbourhood? This is your common interest with your neighbours. Otherwise, if no one cared, we would all have rundown areas, garbage strewing everywhere and turn a blind eye to all sore points surrounding our homes.