Client: United Way
Public Interest was asked to develop an index for measuring neighbourhood vitality. Conducting an extensive review of literature on existing community-based measurement systems, our team developed the Neighbourhood Vitality Index, a tool that gives an in-depth portrait of neighbourhoods. This index guides the collection of specific kinds of data about neighbourhoods and provides a method for gathering and tabulating that data into a meaningful portrait of local service needs and gaps. It serves as a basis for getting residents involved in setting their own neighbourhood priorities and can be used to assess progress toward collectively set goals. Some of the measures that constitute the Neighbourhood Vitality Index include
- Residents' access to employment and distribution of employment
- Local business climate and activity
- Demographic cohesion and strength of social networks
- Educational attainment and skills development
- Residents’ access and connection to community services and facilities
