KeepSpace Communities

KeepSpace is only possible if we recognize that our communities reach beyond borders and improvement must happen at many levels. To create a Rhode Island that is sustainable and vibrant for our children and their children, we must expand our understanding of our community and our role in it.

What is Community?
It seems like such a simple question. In the same way that a home is more than just four walls and a roof, a community is much more than the geography of where we live. Although our understanding of community may be centered around our street or neighborhood, area or town, KeepSpace recognizes that community is much greater than that.

It is true that one understanding of community is based on proximity – those who live close-by are considered part of our community. But a community reaches beyond borders. Our community also is comprised of others with shared interests; infrastructure or economic ties; or common needs, beliefs, cultures or history, regardless of where we all may live.

Improving Communities at Many Levels
In order to improve communities, we must look at them through many lenses. One looks from the grassroots level - what is happening to the people, homes, businesses, environment and infrastructure on any given street. Next we look through a wider lens – are there safe play areas, recreational areas, accessible schools, services and churches, local businesses and jobs? The next wider lens looks at how people, goods and services get from one place to another – do people need a car to easily get to jobs, services or recreation; are pathways friendly to car alternatives like walking or pedaling; how do utility services flow in and is waste transported out? The next is an even wider lens – how is the community being affected by and effecting the surrounding areas and the state as a whole, and how can statewide projects and funding be applied to the community? Moreover how do the decisions made at one level of community impact the community at other levels?

In recognizing that no community can exist in economic and social isolation, KeepSpace Partners continually work together to refocus and look through as many lenses as possible.

Integration of Elements
To create strong, sustainable communities, KeepSpace works on improving and integrating the six KeepSpace Elements.

•  A Good Home
•  A Healthy Environment
•  Strong Commerce
•  Sensible Infrastructure
•  Positive Community Impact
•  Integrated Arts, Recreation, Culture and Religion

By looking at communities through several different lenses, KeepSpace examines how each Element of a community works and integrates with others at every possible level - from grassroots to aerial perspectives. KeepSpace seeks to create strong communities through built environments: homes, jobs, environment, land usage, infrastructure etc. Although KeepSpace does not specifically address the issues of public safety, healthcare and education, it seeks to facilitate processes and partnerships to integrate and improve these critical but highly complex issues.

Connecting the Dots
An important part of building successful communities is about successful connectivity. Every neighborhood is geographically connected to other neighborhoods, shopping areas and commercial centers. Community members are also connected to each other through friendship, camaraderie, work, culture, arts, religion, politics and other beliefs. These connections go beyond geographic boundaries. Similarly, community members are connected through infrastructure: people may walk to visit neighbors or drive to their jobs.  They may take mass transit to neighboring towns and distant areas. They may bike from one area to another, for recreation or transit. They share public systems, utilities and other services with other members of multiple communities. Community members rely on and influence each other. In sustainable communities, these connections are expanded, improved and utilized efficiently and the interaction among people is productive. 

What do KeepSpace Communities look like?
KeepSpace Communities are where neighbors meet, people work, children play. Members of KeepSpace Communities have good jobs and the opportunity to own or rent attractive, safe, healthy homes that they can afford to keep. They know their neighbors and feel connected to the greater community, through arts, culture, religion, government and/or recreation. The air and water are clean.  Neighborhood kids play together in yards or at safe playgrounds or community centers. Grocery stores and churches, daycare centers and schools are nearby. Local businesses and jobs are supported whenever possible. There are fewer cars on the road because many destinations are closer. People walk more, ride bikes or perhaps even use new, electric vehicles that connect them to neighbors as well as neighboring towns. Neighbors can conveniently connect with community members who are farther away because buses and/or trains are more accessible. A walk to a local business, a bus ride to purchase locally-grown produce, a bike ride to the next town, saving the car for when it is really needed…these are all parts of a KeepSpace Community.

With pride of place and interaction with others, community members share greater personal health and happiness as members of a greater community.

To learn more about the unique nature of a KeepSpace Community, view the KeepSpace video.

The communities selected as the first four KeepSpace Communities are located in Cranston, Olneyville, Pawtucket/Central Falls and Westerly.