Actions
groundwork
4

Map Community Assets

Community asset mapping is a process of identifying a neighborhood’s most significant strengths, which can include physical, economic, cultural, and environmental resources, in addition to local traditions, history, and events that shape the neighborhood’s identity.

Activities

Conduct a neighborhood-wide asset mapping exercise

Using the Asset Map Template, identify key assets within the neighborhood by the following categories:

  • Individuals
  • Local Economy
  • Physical Spaces
  • Institutions
  • Associations
  • Events
  • History and Traditions
Assess the impacts of racial equity and climate resilience in the asset mapping
  • Identify and mark assets that help to mitigate or perpetuate racism or racial bias.
  • Identify and mark assets that help to support or weaken climate resilience.
Categorize each asset by the five Just Communities commitment areas
  • Belonging
  • Opportunity
  • Wellbeing
  • Mobility
  • Environment
Create a physical map of the assets

Transpose the physical assets identified in the asset mapping exercise to a map of the neighborhood.

Engagement

  • Engage and interview key organizational, business, and resident leaders and relevant public and elected officials to create and refine the asset map.
  • Share preliminary findings and solicit feedback with the community, with a focus on collaborating with members of historically marginalized communities that have been impacted by development and growth.
  • Solicit feedback through online surveys and post results.
  • Consider where the community has gaps relative to the Just Community Commitments areas.

Certification Templates

Certifciation Templates are only available for active APs and Certification candidates.

Resources

Asset-Based Community Development Institute
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Other Actions in This Phase

1

Convene Working Group

The process of launching a Just Community starts with bringing together local leaders who share a common vision and are committed to collaboration.
2

Preliminary Scoping

To assess a community’s interest in becoming a Just Community, preliminary assessment is necessary. This action provides guidance in identifying drivers for change, conducting a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, and defining the geographic boundary of work.
3

Listen & Heal

Many communities have endured significant trauma and harm from the cumulative impacts of unjust and racist land use polices and development practices.
5

Summarize

To understand the potential pace of growth (or lack of) in a neighborhood, it is important to understand the underlying drivers of change from land use plans to proposed projects that could spark gentrification.
3
Previous: Listen & Heal
5
Next: Summarize