What signs are there of where neighborhoods begin and end?

The purpose of the windshield survey is to identify how the environment and resources within a community affect health and the needs of a community.

Instructions:

For this assignment, each individual will explore a selected neighborhood (if located within a large city) or small town by walking or driving through the area. Open your eyes to the neighborhood that is home to the individuals and families who community/public health nurses serve. Observe the information that is provided below and summarize your findings in a scholarly paper no more than 4 pages excluding the title page.

You do not need references within the body of the paper since this is considered original information, but may use them in the introduction.

Information for this assignment may appear as bullets. You do not need to use full paragraphs for the information.

Cite any references only as appropriate.

Describe the following information about the neighborhood you have selected:

Housing and Commercial Buildings:

What is the age of the houses, architecture?

Of what materials are they constructed?

Are all houses similar in age, architecture?

How would you characterize their differences?

Are they detached or connected to others?

Are there solar panels? Windmills?

Do they have space in front or behind?

What is their general condition?

Are there signs of disrepair—broken doors, windows, leaks, locks missing?

Are there signs of neighborhood pride such as well tended yards?

Is there central heating, modern plumbing, air conditioning

Open space:
Is the county primarily rural, suburban, urban or a mix? How much open space is there?

What is the quality of the space—green parks or rubble-filled lots?

What is the lot size of the houses? Lawns? Flower boxes?

Do you see trees on the streets or a green island in the center of the streets?

Is the open space public or private? Used by whom?

Boundaries:
What signs are there of where neighborhoods begin and end?

Are the boundaries natural—a river, a different terrain; physical—a highway, railroad; economic—difference in real estate or presence of industrial or commercial units along with residential?

Do the neighborhoods have an identity, a name? Do you see them displayed? Are there unofficial names

Transportation
How do people get in and out of the neighborhoods—car, bus, bike, walk?

Are the streets and roads conducive to good transportation and bicycle use and to community life?

Are there major highways through the county? Who do they serve? How frequently is public transportation available? Are gas stations available? Is there a train station or are there light rail stations.

Service centers:
Do you see social agencies, clients, recreation centers, signs of activity at the schools? Are there offices of doctors, dentists, and other such services?

Are there parks? Are they in use?

Stores:
Where do residents shop—shopping centers, neighborhood stores?

How do they travel to shop?

People out and about:
If you are traveling during the day, who do you see on the street—an occasional passerby, families, children?

Do you see anyone you would not expect?

Can you spot the purpose of those that you see such as a salesperson or postal worker?

Is the dress of those you see representative or unexpected?

Along with people, what animals do you see?—stray cats, pedigreed pets, “watchdogs”, birds, wild life?

Signs of community vibrancy:
Is this neighborhood on the way up or down? Is it “alive”?

How would you decide? Do you see street vendors? Do you see trash, abandoned cars, political posters, neighborhood-meeting posters, real estate signs, abandoned houses, mixed zoning usage, people tending their yards, sidewalks in good repair?

Race/Ethnicity:
Are the residents primarily Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Hispanic, or of another group or is the area integrated?

Are there indications of ethnicity—food stores, churches, private schools, information or signs in a language other than English?

Religion:
What religion are the residents?

Do you see evidence of diversity?

What denominations are the churches, temples, mosques? Do you see evidence of their use?

Health:
Do you see evidence of acute or chronic disease or conditions? Ie. Communicable diseases, alcoholism, mental health problems, homelessness, drug addiction?

How far is it to the nearest hospital, clinic?

Are there health offices located in the community?

Politics:
Is there evidence of local involvement? Signs of a particular party? Local headquarters?

Other Information:
What jobs are available in the neighborhood? Are these jobs likely to be held by people in the neighborhood or would the employees come from another neighborhood?

Is there any evidence that suggests whether people are moving in and out or staying here for a longer time?

Summarize this information and comment on the following:

Identify if you believe this is a vibrant community.

Identify if there is diversity in the community.

If the community appears safe.

If there would be any health issues that need to be addressed in the community.

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