Cities are the engines of America’s growth, accounting for 85.4% of the nation’s output of goods and services, up from 84% in 1994. This trend is expected to continue through the next 25 years as the focus of economic growth and activity in the nation remains in the metro areas.
What keeps metro areas vibrant? Recent research indicates that the social networks of neighborhoods are incredible catalysts to creating and sustaining livable cities and resilient metro economies.
This conference will put a magnifying glass to the layers of activity and connectivity in American neighborhoods – those in cities, suburbs and in “edge city” communities.
Elected officials and library directors from 150 urban areas (serving populations over 100,000) will be invited to meet at the downtown Chicago Public Library to share experiences and explore the varied, rich world of neighborhood vitality.
- Contribute to the knowledge about building and sustaining vibrant neighborhoods;
- Convene a gathering where local officials and library leaders can share vision, experiences and successful strategies for neighborhood-based initiatives;
- Connect elected officials and library leaders with successful programs and partnerships, including those with public libraries, that enrich the living and working experiences of neighborhood residents and that contribute to safe, creative and successful cities; and
- Stimulate thinking about the contributions neighborhood libraries make to urban living.
In addition to a keynote presentation from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, conference highlights will include the observations and experience of:
- public officials from a variety of national and international metropolitan areas who have led successful civic initiatives that build and enhance neighborhood life, and
- national experts from private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors who are working with diverse community dynamics, civic engagement strategies, and model projects that build safe and thriving neighborhoods in all parts of the metropolis – inner city, suburbs, boomburbs, and exurbs.
Report released at Partners for Successful Cities Conference says
libraries are working outside the walls for stronger, safer communities
(Full Press Release) December 2, 2005 (Chicago) -- A new report from the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University shows that cities can build more vibrant neighborhoods by challenging their public libraries to get more involved outside the library walls and in the community. The report, entitled The Engaged Library, identifies libraries as key public places for bringing people together and supports a growing body of research that shows healthy, safe neighborhoods are rich in community connections. View the .pdf here
Partners for Successful Cities 2000 - Chicago |
