Comprehensive Community Planning: An Example from Delawarewritten by Cara Robinson
During fall 2007, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBP) formed an innovative partnership with the Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) at the University of Delaware aimed at engaging in a training initiative targeting small communities/neighborhoods across the state of Delaware in comprehensive community planning. The initiative – Blueprint Communities Delaware (BCD) – was modeled after similar programs conducted by FHLBP in 32 neighborhoods across Pennsylvania and West Virginia. According to the FHLBP, Blueprint Communities is “…designed to serve as a catalyst to revitalize older communities and neighborhoods by fostering strong local leadership and collaboration, focusing on planning and goal-setting strategies, and building local program capacity to sustain community growth.”
In January 2008, after a rigorous grant-application process, nine communities across Delaware were designated as official Delaware Blueprint Communities. These areas are urban and suburban, growing and declining, and each maintains a diverse, unique set of factors that contribute to their potential as innovative revitalization centers*. The Delaware Blueprint Communities are Belvedere/Cedar Heights and Vicinity; Dover Community Partnership; East Side, Wilmington; Edgemoor; Hilltop/Little Italy; Historic Overlook Colony Vicinity; Riverside Initiative; Rose Hill, New Castle County; and Second District, Wilmington.
BCD differed from its predecessors, however, by establishing the University partnership. As a community planning leader across Delaware, CCRS has been able to use its internal expertise and external relationships to facilitate a series of training sessions and strategic learning opportunities for the nine Delaware Blueprint Communities. CCRS was charged with designing and implementing a nine-month training and coaching program that guided participating communities through the basics of planning, including stakeholder outreach, program development, program evaluation, and organizing. The community revitalization training aims to “…provide the educational component necessary for communities to begin developing long-term, comprehensive community plans. Focusing on such fundamentals as leadership, capacity, goal-setting and strategic planning, the revitalization training will provide the necessary base for communities to begin growth.”
In January 2009, each group will present a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at revitalizing their community. Each community presenting a plan with a clear focus for the future will be eligible for additional training, support, and funding to achieve their goals.*Blueprint Communities Delaware include Riverside (Wilmington), Eastside (Wilmington), Second District (Wilmington), Hilltop/Little Italy (Wilmington), Edgemoor Revitalization Cooperative (New Castle County), Historic Overlook Colony and Vicinity (New Castle County), Belvedere/Cedar Heights and Vicinity (New Castle County), Simonds Gardens (New Castle County) and Dover Community Partnership (Dover).
