What Makes Cities Successful

Posted on June 1, 2007 by Tariq Nelson

This was an extremely interesting interview on SmartCity Radio with Sean Safford who talks about how a particular city’s social networks (or the lack thereof) is key to a city’s ability to grow and/or renew. Some cities are extremely insular and has a population that is not very involved in the wider community and thus have no ability to grow and become stagnant. Others have a pro-active attitude, have social networks and can and do grow.

Article: Civic Involvement has hit critical low in many communities 

Filed under: Changing World, Posts of no Benefit, Practical Solutions

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7 Responses to “What Makes Cities Successful”

  1. Scott Bell, on June 1st, 2007 at 10:54 am Said:

    Any community that doesn’t understand that it must be involved will fall behind and lend itself to crime, corruption and lawlessness.

  2. Marvelle, on June 1st, 2007 at 10:58 am Said:

    Particularly in the black community we have a “gotta get mine…you gotta get YOURS” attitude that extends with the excessive materialism and “bling bling” culture

  3. LP, on June 1st, 2007 at 11:06 am Said:

    It’s the growth of selfishness in our culture

  4. Sabant, on June 1st, 2007 at 11:17 am Said:

    I hate the petty selfishness and materialism I see. Materialism will only destroy us. In about 100 years or so I think that all the smart people will get sick of the selfish mooches living on them and go live on the moon or on Mars because of the worsening conditions on earth

  5. Irving, on June 1st, 2007 at 2:00 pm Said:

    A good article and great points in it. Thanks for sharing it. I love the information I get on this great blog :)

    Ya Haqq!

  6. Umar Lee, on June 1st, 2007 at 8:38 pm Said:

    One that that Muslims should realize is that local Muslim communtties are products of the city-at-large and if we live in cities that are vibrant chances are the Muslim community will be vibrant and vice-versa. My city of St. Louis was once a great American city but from the 1960’s to the 1990’s progressively got worse due to people fleeing the city for suburbia, crime, racial tensions, and job losses and hence the Muslim community has not been that great. In the last decade though we have seen educated professionals moving back into the city and rehabbing houses and old building in large numbers and became active members of the community and the city has really benifitted from their commitment to a community spirit and the Muslim community has bennifted from this as young educated Muslims now are more likely to stay in a city they see as improving.

  7. Mother Of Aminata, on June 2nd, 2007 at 3:13 pm Said:

    “Sabant” I like your sense of humor : )

    “Irving ” I agree Brother Nelson has a very informative blog and so Brother Lee : )

    This actually reminded me I need to renew my voter registration with the county I just relocated to!! Thanks

    “Brother Lee”

    1) Let’s not forget the segments of the ummah who believe voting is Shirk Akbar.

    “Brother Nelson”

    1) Many African Americans even those who are “educated” are uneducated about what their civic ogligations and rights are. Many do not know what a Mayor is or his role. Just thought I’d point that out.

    What I enjoyed most about that article was that it pointed out that politicians have little incentive to respect the wishes and goals of its constientcy( sure spelled wrong)

    Anyways

    Thanks

    Ma salaama : )

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