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>The Problem: >In many urban settings, condo and aparment building >residents hardly know who their immediate neighbours >are, much less who lives in their building. > >The Social Invention: >Find a currently unoccupied or underused space in your >immediate vicinity. With help from your neighbours, >renovate it into a public living room with whatever >you fancy. Use it as a gathering space for holidays, >events, hobbies, politics or just chillin'. > >Project Objectives: >To create a more integrated environment in the urban >setting, leading to a healthier, more sociable urban >culture. > >Suggested Methods: >The only way to get this project off the ground is to >actively engage others in your apartment building, >condo, or other multi-unit housing system. Talking to >them in person is usually best, but leaving flyers >under doors which explain the project is another >option. > >Further thoughts: > >-I'd like to stress the importance of this being a >public space as well, and not wholly exclusive to your >immediate local. By starting your own Living Room, and >helping others to do the same, a whole network of >support can be built. > >-What sort of space you choose and its location are >entirely dependant on your situation. For example, I >live in a building with 12 2-bedroom units, there is a >condo next door, some houses across the street and >various other multi-unit places in the immediate >vicinity. There are also a few shopfronts which seem >to be good candidates. Alternatively, the entrance >area in my building would be rather suitable as well. > >-Your space may require some sort of public calendar >as well. A chalk/whiteboard, book, or electronic >scheduling system would be invaluable. If everyone can >easily see what's coming up, they're more likely to go. > >Resources Needed: >At first, just the time and willingness to see your >project through, and perhaps a few dollars for copies. >In the stages beyond planning, funds will need to be >allocated to rent or buy a space, refurbish where >necessary and supply desired furnishings and services. >Further maintenance costs should not be neglected >while finding a suitable location. > >Possible funding issues: > >- Most urban real estators would be loathe to give up >revenue generating property. > >- See if some of your immediate neighbours would >commit to helping foot a monthly bill initially, and >negotiate with real estators for lower fees based on >its community impact. > >- Alternatively, seek public funding through city >council, neighbourhood works projects, or possibly the >local parks department. > >- Various hurdles may exist, but a small group of >committed neighbours can accomplish a lot. > >Proposed Timescale: >This project could probably be completed in as little >as 2-3 months, but would probably become stale if not >signifcantly developed after a year. It may take some >time initially to talk to the people who live near >you, and to find a space that is really suitable to >your needs. > >Development: >The author wishes to develop this idea further. If you >would be interested in getting involved you can >comment.
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