Lupton Center
You’ve heard us talk about the importance of focusing on Place. In particular, we’ve been explaining the concept of Sense of Place and how it can supercharge neighborhood transformation. Today, we want to talk about related but distinct concepts: rootedness and...
We are celebrating BIG! Our first ever City Shapers cohort has nearly completed the 2-year curriculum. When the City of Bowling Green first approached us, they came with one glaring challenge: the housing crisis. In those early days, we had a lot of conversations to...
Why Sense of Place Matters to Development “A place is only a place.” If you are well-versed in traveling and experiences, you may cast doubt upon author Frank Herbert’s words. They are only true if you deprive a place of its character. Places carry...
You may recall that 18 months ago, we stepped into a tremendous opportunity: we received a $1 million grant to expand the work of the Lupton Center at FCS. Specifically, these funds would empower us to launch City Shapers cohorts in 12 cities over the next few years....
Sense of Place is a little bit like the elephant touched by various mice in the fable – lots of other concepts touch on pieces of it. Neighborhood identity, local pride, character, and vibe are all different terms and words you may hear people use when...
We all know what a thriving community looks like, but it can be tough to nail down WHY we know it’s healthy or what to look for. One of the key pieces we look for when assessing a neighborhood’s health is “Sense of Place.” Like the idea of...
Want to see this idea in action? Come to our Open House October 7 – 8. Our parent organization, Focused Community Strategies, is passionate about helping neighborhood practitioners move far away from toxic charity. In fact, our existence stems from the...
Recently, Lupton Center trainer and consultant David Park had the privilege to interview Dr. Dave Kresta to discuss community development. Kresta holds a Ph.D. in Urban Studies and is an adjunct assistant professor at Portland State University. In this interview, they...
Impact only matters if we know it’s happening. It is key to Community Development, community-based solutions to uplift the disenfranchised. It’s one thing to implement a plan, but it’s another to understand how a plan reflects your goals. Thus, community Impact...
Relationships are at the core of everything we do within holistic community development. At the foundation of every project are people who have a vested interest in the work. These stakeholders are all connected to each other. Each has their own dynamics and roles to...