“Good things happen when you pay attention.”
John F. Smith
Identifying community values can commonly be addressed through a Community Impact Assessment (CIA). A CIA is the process that evaluates the potential impacts of proposed transportation projects on a local community and its sub-populations throughout the transportation decision-making process. The goal of CIA is to focus on the quality of life of the community. An overview of GDOT policy and procedures for a CIA can be found in the GDOTEnvironmental Procedures Manual, Section 5.0 Community Impact Assessment.
Topics that commonly fall under a CIA include: access, mobility, connectivity, social isolation/splitting of neighborhoods, history of the community, new development impacts, changes in the quality of life, changes in neighborhood identification, changes in property values, separation of the neighborhood from community facilities, displacements, impacts on community centers of activity whether formal or informal, noise, urban renewal, removal of urban blight, joint land use, and disruption of the natural and human environment.
A CSS project will strike a balance between tradition design values and community values:
Table 2.1 |
Traditional Design Values |
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Community Values |
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Table 2.2 lists a number of stakeholders who can assist the project team with identifying values that are held in highest regard by a community:
Table 2.2 |
Social and Cultural Compatibility |
Local & Regional Planning Civic Organizations Residential Community Recreational Groups Business Groups |
Environmental Sensitivity/Impacts |
Environmental Community: Environmental Interest Groups Dept. of Natural Resources NPS/US Forest Service Watershed Districts |
Livability / Aesthetics / Urban Design |
Civic Organizations City/County Planning Redevelopment Authority Historic Preservation Society Residential Community and/or |
Economic Impacts / Enhancements |
City/County Planning Redevelopment Authority Chambers of Commerce Business Community Ports Authority Tourist Industry |
Transportation Needs / Mobility |
Local Transit Providers City/County Public Works City/County Planning Agency Facility Users/ Area Traffic Generators |
Source: Adapted from FHWA, Road Best Traveled Report - Resources for Identifying Context (Zimmerman, 2001)
