GUIDE FOR OBSERVATION OF AN URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD
(©l986 by Malcolm Collier)
LOCATION: Where is it? Location, boundaries, landmarks, geographical features,signs, anything that defines location.
APPEARANCE: What does it look like in a general sense? Note the visual character of locale, range of building types, character of streets, visible subsections. Hilly? Flat? Both? Are streets straight, winding, a mix? Are buildings short, tall, wide, narrow, new, old? In repair or run down? etc.
ORGANIZATION: What are the components of the neighborhood? How is it arrange Where are businesses, public places, religious institutions, residences, etc?
FUNCTIONS: How is the neighborhood used? Observe and note range of activities, services, functions. Businesses, residences, restaurants, schools, recreation facilities, etc., do they serve? Local population, the city, the region7 Particular ethnic groups, ages ranges, sub-cultures, men, women, social classes, occupational groupings, etc. How do businesses present themselves to their clientele and what is the character of who comes, goes, for what, where, when?
PEOPLE: Who lives here? Who comes here? Works here? Is the population homogeneous? Mixed? Young? Old? Transient? Note the range of peoples top be seen and other evidence of the human mix of the area. Examine store signs, goods for sale, club names, decor, etc.
TRANSPORTATION: How do people get around? What are the major transport arteries, pedestrian routes? Are there pedestrians, who are they? Bus lines, crossroads, transfer points, parking lots, congestion?
RESIDENTIAL AREAS: What do they look like? Character and condition of buildings, sidewalks, streets? Mix of business and residences? Transition zones? Range building styles, age, nature of units (single, double, multiple etc). Who are residents? Look for details that may provide clues as to the cultural and economic character of inhabitants, age ranges, living styles.
DAILY CYCLES: What is the cycle of the day in this place? Who goes, comes, when and where? Record the flow of people, activities, functions. Extend to larger cycles of and months. When and where are the peaks of activities?
HISTORY: What can be seen that reflects the past? Old buildings, signs, sidewalk markings, stores with declining patronage, physical characteristics of past functions, evidence of past populations incongruent with the present mix of people and functions.
CHANGE: Where is this place going? What is its future? What is changing, what is not? New construction, what is it for? Demolition, of what, where? Store clearances, closings, openings, relative mix and character of old and new businesses, institutions? Liquor license details, permits posted? People moving in, out? What things are constant? Active older institutions, stores, functions? Old time people, new time people, who has children, who does not, age distribution of different groups?