Sense of Community

Seen today, and based on our online survey, the legacy of the Brownstoners has translated into a community that strongly values preservation. Between the community groups and some passionate individuals, maintaining the historic architecture and low-scale homogenous nature of the area is extremely important and collaborative work. A strong and deep sense of community unites these stakeholders in their efforts to oppose large-scale development.

From the online survey results, we found that in addition to historic architecture, the three most important community features are the sense of community, accessibility of location, and cultural diversity. The protection of these values will be discussed later on in our recommendations.

To take another a approach at looking at the current community we wanted to understand who has a strong voice, power and stake in the neighborhoods. We therefore identified some of the key stakeholders and divided them between community groups, government, commercial, institutional and individuals.

There is a very active community group presence in the neighborhoods. This includes groups such as the Atlantic Avenue BID, Boerum Hill Association, and Cobble Hill Association. Community Groups 2 and 6 also help bridge the gap between community and government.

233 Court Street Source: student photograph

State Street Source: student photograph

In terms of governmental groups, Landmarks Preservation Commission plays an active role in the community because of the presence of historic districts as well as individual landmarks. With the new development happening on the edges of the study area, City Planning is also an important governmental group that has a strong stake in the community. Another group includes NYCHA, which deals with affordable and low-income housing, such as the public housing projects of Gowanus and Wyckoff housing. For commercial stakeholders, there are business owners and renters as well as developers. Institutions include schools, religious organizations and the YWCA. There are other cultural institutions, such as Barclays and BAM that fall somewhere between the developer and institutions. Finally, individuals in the neighborhoods are important stakeholders. They include homeowners, home renters, and different ethnic groups.

Our online survey indicates that the study area community strongly values preservation. Between community groups and passionate individuals, maintaining the historic architecture and low-scale, homogenous fabric of the area has emerged as a priority.

From the online survey results, we found that in addition to protecting the historic architecture of the study area, the three most important community features are the sense of community, accessibility of location, and cultural diversity.

Community Stakeholders Source: student created infographic

Important Community Features Source: student made infographic

We also tried to determine what type of values these stakeholders have. To understand their values, we spoke to different stakeholders in interviews, sent a community survey, looked at their websites, and read newspaper articles. While not every stakeholder in each category has the same values, for this exercise we pulled out some of the key values shared by most of them.

We looked at economic, social, educational, aesthetics, and historical values. Most groups value the increase in property values and economic growth, as well as transportation and maintaining an active street life. Some value the low-scale, historic architecture more than others, although most groups find the neighborhood’s aesthetics important.

In our online survey, we asked respondents to estimate the percentage of retail and service needs that they purchase in the neighborhood. We found that nearly 72% of those that responded to the survey purchased more than 50% within the neighborhoods. This is a good sign that the stores and services offered in the neighborhood are still attracting and satisfying the community, and might also suggest the potential for increased small business activity in the study area. Community Stakeholders' Values source: student created infographic

Retail and Service needs met locally source: student made infographic