A Holistic Approach to Revitalizing Neighborhoods

Affordable housing is one piece of a larger, interconnected approach.

1 minute read

February 27, 2024, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Multistory concrete apartment building under construction behind green construction fence.

Richard / Adobe Stock

In an excerpt from Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time published in Next City, Seth D. Kaplan calls for a more holistic approach to solving the related problems of poverty, housing insecurity, and a lack of economic opportunity.

Whether in an urban or suburban neighborhood, a suitable habitat should include a commercial center — an avenue, cluster of shops, or plaza — as well as parks, libraries, and houses of worship, which provide everyday facilities and services as well as places for people to gather and interact. And it should include transit points, connecting residents to people and opportunities outside the neighborhood, as well as contiguous sidewalks affording residents walkable access to other areas within the neighborhood.

Quoting sociologist Emily Talen, Kaplan notes that many “neighborhoods in the US are overwhelmingly not well serviced.” Residents with means move to other areas, leaving poor neighborhoods even more underresourced. For Kaplan, “Without healthy neighborhoods, school systems cannot improve educational results, health care agencies cannot improve health outcomes, and police cannot make streets safe. Yet the great majority of public and private interventions are not structured to address the underlying social dynamics that produced these problems in the first place.”

Monday, February 26, 2024 in Next City

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Affordable housing

Commentary: How Can We Solve America’s Affordable Housing Crisis? CDFIs are the Key

As financial institutions whose mission is to support underserved communities, community development financial institutions can be key partners to ensure public-private efforts to build affordable housing pencil out.

October 31, 2024 - Bernel Hall

Downtown Denver as seen from behind Union Station roof sign.

Denver Voters Approve Downtown Revitalization Bonds

The city wants to bring new projects and residents to the downtown core, where 13 million feet of vacant office and retail space await new tenants.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

View of multistory buildings under construction in downtown Seattle, Washington with Space Needle and Mount Rainier in background.

Seattle Has No Plans to Ditch Parking Requirements

An update to the city’s comprehensive plan will reduce, but not fully eliminate, parking mandates for housing developments.

3 hours ago - The Urbanist

Bears Ears National Monument

Future of Public Lands Looks Litigious Under Trump

Experts say monuments and “unappropriated” federal lands will likely be the target for expanded drilling, mining, and other development under a new Trump administration.

4 hours ago - Bloomberg