Community Survey (“Windshield Survey”)

  Community Survey (“Windshield Survey”)  

Your community survey should paint a vivid picture of your community to somebody who is unfamiliar with the area.  Windshield surveys are based on what you observe when you walk or drive through the community and should not be strictly based on pre-existing knowledge.  Be specific in your observations.  For example, instead of “there are three churches in my community,” name the churches that you see and describe their denominations.   (You will address all required areas of the community survey on the Power Point presentation as outlined in Module A (use headings for slides as listed in Module A).     A. Identification of Community/Neighborhood/Appearance/Location and Boundaries (Note: For assignment purposes, the term “community/neighborhood” does not strictly refer to your residential neighborhood.  It also includes the nearby community resources within a short drive/distance.)    What do you see as you drive through the community/neighborhood?  Is the area is rural or crowded, the amount of green space, the general upkeep, signs of decay, etc.  Is the area well maintained or in disrepair? Is there garbage strewn?  Are the boundaries geographical, political, or economic?   Do neighborhoods have names? Are there sub-communities? How are these identified? 

B. Economics/Housing/Zoning:         What is the age of the buildings? Are the residences single family or multifamily dwellings?          What is the median family income?           Does the community appear to be wealthy, middle class, or impoverished?           Is the area zoned for industry, agricultural, residential or shopping malls?           Is the community’s economy growing, declining, or stable?            What evidence do you see of growth, decline, or stability (i.e. new businesses, new residential          areas, dilapidated buildings, closing businesses, established businesses, etc.)?    C. Kinship/Gathering-Commons AreasParks &Recreation:         What observations can you make about family life?          Do you observe primarily singles, young families, or older adults?         Are there families at nearby parks, walking down streets, or working in yards?            Are there family events occurring in the community? Is there a community center?          Are there signs posted?         Are there play areas for children and adults? Are they safe and maintained?   D. Religion/Houses of Worship:       What houses of worship (with names) are available in the community?  (i.e., churches, temples,         and mosques)         How many are there of each denomination? 

E.   RaceEthnicity:             What is the predominant ethnic group?         Are there residents from a variety of ethnic backgrounds or is the community mostly one group?          Which one?           Are there stores, restaurants, churches, schools, or languages that indicate a particular ethnic          group(s)?