My Community

The above map shows my interpretation of my current community. I define community as the area in which I interact on a daily basis, which includes neighbors, businesses, services, buildings, streets, and the overall environment. My view of community is constantly changing just as landscapes tend to change as well. My idea of community shapes the way I go about my daily activities. I rarely travel east or south of my home, which is why I placed myself in the southeast corner of the map. I tend to remain in my community to meet my daily needs except when another area provides a better service. For example, I leave my community every day to attend school, but still use public transportation, which is offered only a few blocks from my home to get there. I will also venture to other areas of the city to visit friends or family, shop, run, ride bike, or just get fresh air. My community does not offer most of these benefits, but since I do not interact with them on a constant basis I do not consider them a part of my community.

My community, specifically, encompasses approximately 8 city blocks in the Italian Market neighborhood of Philadelphia also known as Bella Vista. When depicting my community I did realize that I only know the names of three of my neighbors. I still include all of those people that live within “my community” since we all share most of the same services and environment. We have many things in common. Many residents in the area are homeowners and take great pride in the Bella Vista neighborhood. Bella Vista is home to a very active town watch and civic association. Both organizations are committed to making and keeping the neighborhood, which in this sense is used only geographically as being bound by South Street, 11th Street, 6th Street, and Washington Avenue, well organized, safe, and clean.

Understandably juxtapositions are everywhere, but I struggled to find one of significant importance. There are a few things in my neighborhood that are puzzling. There is an amazing piece of property on Montrose Street between 8th and 9th Streets. It was formerly a swimming pool with large brick walls. It is a gorgeous structure that has sadly become run-down. Another interesting aspect of my community is that it was previously comprised of primarily an Italian population. Currently there is quite an array of residents. There are a number of Asian businesses and residents that have become a part of the Italian Market and the surrounding area. This is just an indication that the cultural history of the area is changing. Another interesting fact about Bella Vista is that in Italian the term means beautiful sight, which at the time the neighborhood is anything but. There is a massive amount of construction, which in turn is blocking views of the city skyline. There is trash, awful smells, and rodents from the outdoor market on 9th Street.

I have also decided to base my community project on the Italian Market area, so I will be elaborating on many of the points I brought up in this entry.