Mapping neighborhood needs by local voices: Community-academic partnership surveys in two NYC districts

This presentation describes the process and results of an academic-community partnership having the goal to produce locally useful planning data based on the voiced needs of constituents. Results of two recent, representative community-based social/health research surveys , one in Brooklyn with over 500 participants and one in Manhattan with over 1000 participants are displayed in detailed maps. Working with local Community Boards (BkCB14, MnCB09) on specific questionnaire items, with the City College of New York institutional review board, PSC-CUNY --the union representing faculty/staff, with available survey and mapping technology, with commercial and public institutions, and dozens of adult student interviewers enrolled in service-learning courses, the two community-based surveys demonstrate a methodology that may be successfully and inexpensively replicated in other neighborhoods where timely census tract-level information is pertinent. For example, this includes scientific sampling for representative public opinion on such issues as placement of new afterschool resources, mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities, programs for the elderly or anti-violence programs. One lesson learned is the vital importance of responsibly communicating research results to the lay public and activists, besides to the Community Boards and committees. Another lesson learned is the community leadership's perceptions of need can be better informed by carefully analyzing the community's voices. Also, ethnic and religious diversity did not override consensus on top issues at the census tract level in these neighborhoods. For 2013-2014, the project is examining feasibility and sustainability for expanding the service-learning and academic-community partnerships to all New York City's 59 Community Districts.