New Book: Organizing for Community Controlled Development

Posted by on May 30, 2003

[posted from Comm-Org]

From: patricia murphy

NEW BOOK OFFERS ROADMAP FOR REBUILDING COMMUNITIES, STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY

Organizing for Community Controlled Development: Renewing Civil Society by Patricia W. Murphy and James V. Cunningham (Sage Publications, February 2003, 360 pages). For more information, go to http://www.sagepub.com/book.aspx?pid=9175

Reach us at: Pat Murphy (sswpm@pitt.edu) and Jim Cunningham (ritajim@bellatlantic.net)

We are pleased to announce the publication of Organizing for Community Controlled Development: Renewing Civil Society. Our book is about people renewing and revitalizing their local living places through efforts that focus on stimulating racial unity, community participation and economic security. We present a comprehensive model of neighborhood development that is grounded in residents taking action. It is designed to be an essential resource for students in Social Work, Community Organizing, Community Development, Urban Studies and Urban Planning and for professionals and volunteers who work in community development and community building.

An increasing number of small communities are searching for ways to reduce the family isolation, racial exclusion and economic hurdles that inhibit civic vigor and community well-being and our book provides a practical framework for understanding and easing these strains. We set out a detailed model for analyzing communities, organizing volunteers and claiming resources. We also examine effective ways to implement community regeneration activities emphasizing the widespread inclusion of those residents impacted by community development decisions – a crucial component for success.

Combining theory and practice, we provide the “how to” advice to ensure quality community life, including:
– Proven techniques for recruitment, planning, fundraising and leadership growth
– Suggestions for designing successful long-range organizational and community plans
– Community analysis and decision-making procedures
– Rebuilding strategies – capital formation, affordable housing, business district renewal and workforce development
– Implementation activities and evaluation methods
– Cutting-edge case studies

“The authors lay out a compelling vision and a comprehensive organizing strategy for revitalizing local communities. Packed with rich case examples, this book presents a model for neighborhood planning and includes cutting-edge ideas for drawing on a community’s strengths, assets and resources. This community-driven approach offers new hope for addressing problems stemming from America’s growing racial divide, public indifference, broken social contract, and economic disinvestment in low and moderate income communities. This is a must-read for community organizers, urban planners, public officials, economic developers, and neighborhood activists.” –Lee Staples, Boston University School of Social Work