4. Remain True to the City's Uniqueness

Cities are unique creatures. Though cities may share many similarities with other cities size, street grid, governmental structure each is distinct from all others. That is an asset. In our homogenized society where you can eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same stores and buy the same brands in virtually every city in the country, individuality counts. People seek it; they celebrate it.

Henry Cisneros confirmed what many participants said: To succeed, cities must build on who they are and what they have.

What doesn’t work is when communities all want to be the next Silicon Valley, he warned.

Remaining true to yourself also means remaining true to your people. After all, one of the most important assets of any place is its people. And all too often, the benefits of development (or more accurately, growth) go not to long-time residents but rather to newcomers. New jobs may require skills and education that residents do not possess. Increasing property values may push residents out altogether. A rising tide may not lift all boats. We need to ask ourselves development for whom? Current residents all of them must be included in the answer.


Principle In Action

A community only allowed a fast food restaurant to build after it agreed to alter its facade to preserve the character of the town.