Section

Neighborhoods

Explore the unique character and charm of our city's diverse neighborhoods.

Diverse neighbors discussing community safety and the Neighborhood Watch program on a suburban street at dusk.

How to Start a Neighborhood Watch Program in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before a single meeting is scheduled or a sign posted, the most crucial step in starting a Neighborhood Watch is simply talking to your neighbors about it.

Aaron Blake· Apr 28· 4 min
A vibrant city intersection with safe pedestrian and cyclist pathways, alongside a community center, representing the positive impact of urban planning on public health.

What is the role of local councils in urban planning and health outcomes?

More than 20 people were struck and killed daily while walking in 2022, a 40-year high for pedestrian fatalities, according to Purposebuiltcommunities .

Derek Molina· Apr 26· 3 min
A picturesque historic city neighborhood with beautiful architecture, showcasing community pride and economic prosperity.

What are the benefits of designating a local historic district?

The average current value of houses in Baltimore's local historic districts exceeds twice the average value found in the rest of the city.

Aaron Blake· Apr 26· 4 min
A diverse group of people actively working and socializing in a lush, vibrant community garden situated amidst tall city buildings.

What Are The Benefits of Community Gardens for Urban Development?

New York State committed $2.

Derek Molina· Apr 24· 3 min
A diverse group of community members engaging with a public health professional, symbolizing the supportive role of local health services.

What Are Local Public Health Services and How Do They Help Residents?

To maintain accreditation, local health departments must satisfy about 90 percent of 148 specific activities, ranging from ensuring safe food and water to providing family planning and vital records r

Derek Molina· Apr 24· 4 min
A split image of a modern city skyline juxtaposed with a historic neighborhood, illustrating the impact of zoning on urban landscapes and property values.

What Is Zoning and How Does It Shape Neighborhood Character and Property Values?

Eliminating restrictive zoning in major urban areas could boost the U.

Aaron Blake· Apr 23· 4 min
Community members mourn the demolition of a historic African-American schoolhouse, symbolizing the loss of tangible local history and cultural narratives.

The Struggle to Preserve Local History

The demolition of a preserved schoolhouse erased a tangible part of the African-American community's history.

Derek Molina· Apr 22· 3 min
A diverse group of people enjoying a sunny day in a lush urban park, with city buildings visible in the background.

What Are Urban Green Spaces and Why Do They Boost Neighborhood Health?

Homes located within a quarter-mile of protected open space increased in value by an average of $13,119, according to uniqueplacestosave .

Aaron Blake· Apr 21· 4 min
Community members discussing zoning maps and blueprints, representing the crucial role of local zoning boards in neighborhood development and decision-making.

What is the Role of Local Zoning Boards in Neighborhood Development?

In 2026, local zoning boards hold immense power to approve or deny new housing and preserve wetlands.

Aaron Blake· Apr 19· 4 min
A visual representation of a city divided by zoning laws, showing the contrast between dense multi-family housing and exclusive single-family neighborhoods.

How Zoning Laws Shape Neighborhoods and Affect Housing Costs

Approximately 75 percent of land in American cities is constrained by zoning practices that exclusively permit single-family residences, a statistic that profoundly shapes urban living.

Aaron Blake· Apr 19· 3 min
A happy family enjoys a sunny day in a picturesque, tree-lined suburban neighborhood with children playing in the background.

How to Choose a Family-Friendly Neighborhood in 2024

In 2024, Niche.com declared six Orlando-area suburbs among Florida's top 20 best places to raise a family, according to FOX 35 Orlando . While such rankings offer a starting point, they often overlook

Aaron Blake· Apr 17· 3 min
A picturesque historic neighborhood street with detailed architecture, symbolizing the intersection of heritage and property owner regulations.

What is a Local Historic Preservation District and How Does it Affect Property Owners?

In Flatbush, New York, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) recently designated two new historic districts, Beverley Square West and Ditmas Park West, immediately placing hundreds of properties

Derek Molina· Apr 14· 3 min
A lush, blooming meadow filled with pollinators contrasted against a neatly mowed lawn, symbolizing the debate between No Mow May and Low-Mow practices.

No Mow May vs. Low-Mow: The evolving science of pollinator support

In a unanimous 13-0 vote on July 18, 2024, Appleton, Wisconsin's city council removed 'No Mow May' from its municipal code, reinstating grass height restrictions.

Derek Molina· Apr 11· 4 min
A diverse urban neighborhood scene depicting the process of gentrification, with old and new architecture blending, and residents from different backgrounds interacting on a bustling street.

Gentrification Unpacked: How Neighborhoods Change in Three Key Stages

Gentrification is a complex process of neighborhood change driven by reinvestment and the influx of wealthier residents, often leading to rising property values and rents. The article unpacks this phenomenon through its three key stages, exploring its drivers, consequences like displacement and cultural shifts, and potential policy solutions.

Aaron Blake· Mar 30· 4 min