Feature Story:

Changing the World One Block at a Time



Volunteers dig into some mulch at New York's Tompkins Square Park.

The neighborhood is a powerful--but often overlooked--tool for social improvement. Issues that seem overwhelming at the international or even municipal level can often be effectively tackled close to home. That's because the people who live in a particular locale are the experts on that place, with the wisdom and commitment to get things done.

Read the full article »

A word from Kathy Madden, PPS Senior Vice President

When we decided to produce The Great Neighborhood Book: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Placemaking, we knew that we would be tapping into a well of grassroots interactions, solutions, and collaborations in the neighborhoods that we examined. The richness, and simplicity, of the stories we encountered opened our eyes to the opportunities for people everywhere to turn their neighborhood into a Great Neighborhood.

When it comes to revitalizing communities, the importance of the average citizen cannot be over-estimated. That's one of the main reasons we created this book -- to highlight the success stories of everyday people that can inspire you to do similar things in your own communities...

Read more »

Also in this Issue:

Make a Difference in Your Own Backyard

Practical ways to make your neighborhood come alive from The Great Neighborhood Book.

Five of the Best Neighborhoods in North America

From a Kansas City shopping center to a small town Main Street, these success stories can inspire great things in your community.

Be a Local Hero in Four Easy Steps

It's easier and more rewarding than you can imagine.

Build on What's Good to Make Your Community Better

Even the most hard-hit neighborhoods can draw upon their assets to make improvements. Jody Kretzmann of the ABCD Institute explains how.

Home, Sweet Neighborhood

In the latest installment of "Traveling in Place," Jay Walljasper tells the story of how he got hooked on neighborhood activism. Jay is the author of The Great Neighborhood Book.