What is Happening in Your Community? Why Community Development Matters
Talk, Q&A, and Book Signing
Description
In October 2024, the New Harmony community spent a week reflecting on the future of the town. As a way to continue those important conversations, Historic New Harmony invited Dr. Matthew J. Hanka, Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern Indiana, to come to New Harmony to discuss his book, What is Happening in Your Community? Why Community Development Matters. Join us for Dr. Hanka's talk on Thursday, November 21 at 6 p.m. in the Atheneum's Clowes Theater. There will be a Q&A and book signing afterward. This event is FREE and open to the public.
"Communities are not static or stationary organisms. They are fluid and dynamic and change over time. The role of community development in the change and transformation of a community is critical to improving and enhancing the quality of life of the community and its residents. This book examines how community development changes a community and why that change matters, while also examining the relationship between community development and social capital. When a community improves its social capital, change can happen because people can leverage their networks to produce better results for themselves. This book also looks at comprehensive community development and collective impact models and several case studies that utilize these models. It also looks at how the transformation and revitalization of a neighborhood through new housing creates opportunities for people everywhere, and how effective placemaking strategies empower diverse groups of people in a community to reimagine their public spaces and the built environment to be more livable, walkable, creative, and sustainable while fostering greater connections with people in their community." - Book Description