Community Development Introduction
Community development and the strategic investment of public resources in the built environment are directly related. The restoration of Pennsylvania’s community centers is an integral component to reinvigorating our older rural, suburban and urban communities. Through the use of sound land use strategies such as residential and commercial infill development, the reuse of former industrial sites, preservation of our historic and natural assets, and park and open space creation, community reinvestment relieves development pressures on green and open space. 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is working with community developers from across the state to connect local revitalization efforts with the policies and tools necessary to competitively position communities for growth and investment.
News
Brookings Report: Two Steps Back: City and Suburban Poverty Trends 1999-2005
by Alan Berube and Elizabeth Kneebone
During the first half of the current decade, the proportion of the U.S. population living below the poverty line rose, albeit with key differences across metropolitan areas. Notably, a new report from the
Brookings Institution — which includes additional analysis on child and first suburban poverty — finds that for the first time in 2005 there are more poor residents of suburbs overall than in central cities. For the report,
click here.
Vacant Properties
Introduction:
The loss of population in cities and towns and the movement of businesses and people to the fringes of our core communities are producing thousands of abandoned properties and vacant land across Pennsylvania. As our core communities hollow out, residents and policy makers are presented with both challenges and opportunities. Challenges include increased public safety costs, increases in the number of nuisance properties and declining tax revenues from what are now “non-performing” properties. Meanwhile, abandoned buildings and vacant properties can provide attractive residential, commercial and environmentally friendly reinvestment opportunities.
10,000 Friends works to encourage local opportunities for the reuse of vacant and abandoned land in Pennsylvania’s communities by working with policy makers to design and implement public policy that removes barriers to reinvestment and make available these valuable assets. Please
click here for more information.
Regional Initiatives
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania has organized two regional initiatives to aid regional and local advocates and leaders in southeastern and southwestern Pennsylvania. Please follow the links below for more information.
Community Development Toolkit
Please
click here for articles, papers and useful links in community development.
