Residents are encouraged to be creative in their interpretation of "neighborhood improvement." Some turn to beautification and landscaping; others run workshops, organize neighborhood festivals, or cultivate neighborhood pride. From the beginning, the city turned over control of the program to residents‹a key ingredient for achieving sustained neighborhood improvement‹and it continues to provide staff support if residents request it.
Since its origins in 1993, the program has increased resident participation in neighborhood activities, empowered citizens and local associations to initiate and carry out small neighborhood improvement projects, fostered cooperation between residents and city departments and staff, and identified and trained new local leaders. |
The workbook describes the program's history, operation, and outcomes. It offers perspectives from neighborhood participants, city staff, and city officials, and shares lessons learned in Savannah about the process of developing and administering such a program.