The purpose of this research was to explore and explain the role housing plays in rural community vitality. Community vitality refers to economic strength and social well-being. In spring 2002 we collected primary interview data from informants in 134 small rural communities in nine north-central states and identified related secondary data from…

Outlines a practical application of Dillman's "synchronized survey model" within a community case study context. Presents step-by-step approach to integrating preference survey data with other data sources in development of a comprehensive land use plan. Considers problems and trade-offs of fitting a research process into practical…

The Community Design movement advocates that mismanagement of the physical environment is a major factor contributing to social and economic ills of a community. This book provides the proven tools and techniques for bringing community members into the community design process successfully and productively. It offers 15 case studies chronicling…

Most city planners and governmental agencies are White and have a "laissez faire" attitude toward poor Blacks. Black citizens, professionals, city planners, and social change agents can and must play an active role in the Black community's self-planning efforts. (Author/MC)

In changing economies, local leaders need guidance in collaborative, multicommunity approaches to problem solving. This book is comprised of three sections organized around the steps necessary to develop and manage a comprehensive leadership program. The first section describes the mechanics of organization. A series of questions is presented to…

THESE ABSTRACTS OF CONFERENCE PAPERS INDICATE FORCES AND ASPECTS OF URBANIZATION. ANYTHING CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG SOCIAL TIES IS HEALTHY AND ANYTHING DESTROYING VIABLE NEIGHBORHOODS IS UNHEALTHY. SINCE MINIMUM SIZE OF MARKET AND SUPPLY AREAS ARE PRECONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINED URBAN GROWTH, NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES WOULD INCREASE…

The 9 papers in this compilation on rural industrial development are titled as follows: (1) "U.S. Employment Shifts Through 1985" (gains, regional losses, relation to per capita income and economic activities, geographic concentration, and national basis of regional projections); (2) "Large Industry in a Rural Area: Demographic,…

The 2.5-day workshop described in this manual was designed to meet the growing concern that small projects administered by the Peace Corps were not truly community projects or priorities. To foster more community involvement in the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects, this workshop is geared to the training of Peace Corps volunteers…

Small town community improvement planning is often subjected to urban type analysis. When concepts applicable to the largest cities are grafted onto small towns, a misunderstanding of small town problems and prospects is often the result. Social ecology offers a framework for understanding what a small town is, how it functions, and what is…