planning to stay
A concept from Bill Morrish. Planning a neighborhood is a participatory act of community membership and an expression of belief about the future of one’s community. Before residents and merchants can begin planning for their neighborhood, participants must make a sincere declaration about themselves: “We’re planning to stay.” Planning to stay in a neighborhood can be a transforming experience in which participants discover new dimensions of being a good neighbor and a good citizen. When coupled with planning, “to stay” becomes an active verb. Once this active role is embraced, two questions need to be addressed: 1) what is it about this place that draws us here? 2. What could we add to this place that will keep us here? (Fullilove, 2020, 218)