-> Citizens regularly participate in making their public spaces better and local leaders and planning professionals routinely seek the wisdom and practical experience of community residents.
-> Residents feel they have responsibility and a sense of ownership for their public spaces.
-> Neighborhoods are respected, fostered and have unique identities. There is a sense of "pride of place."
-> Public spaces are planned and managed in a way that highlights and strengthens the culture of a particular community.
-> Pedestrians and bicyclists are more numerous than vehicles (on at least some streets).
-> Streets function as “places” and have numerous attractive destinations along them.
-> Transit options are available to get to places where people want to go and are used by all kinds of people.
-> Parking does not occupy most of the public space; free parking is difficult to find.
-> There is a walkable commercial center convenient to every neighborhood that provides everyday needs and services (grocery store, pharmacy, library, medical services, coffee shop etc.)
-> New developments, both public and private, are designed to include mixed uses and to be easily reached without using a private vehicle.
-> Developments are human scale and connect with places to cut through rather than mega scale, internalized and islands unto themselves.
-> There is a mix of new housing types and layouts that allows and encourages people to grow old there.
-> There are public places within both neighborhoods and downtowns where people can gather informally and regularly.
-> Parks feature attractions for people of different ages and are used at different times of day; they are more than simply recreation facilities.
-> The waterfront allows people to actually reach the ocean, lake or river.
-> Amenities (benches, transit waiting areas, etc) are comfortable, conveniently located and designed to support the intended use.
-> Negative uses or users do not dominate the public spaces.
-> Both children and seniors can easily and safely walk to where they want to go (e.g. children can walk to school, seniors can walk to movies, grocery stores).
-> Schools are centrally located to support other neighborhood activity.
-> The library is a multi-purpose and popular place where people go for many different types of activities.
-> Civic institutions (museums, community centers, hospitals, government buildings, etc.) have resources and activities that appeal to people of all ages and all cultures in the community.
-> There are many locally owned businesses-markets, mom-and-pop stores, street vendors, and larger independent stores; these local businesses are encouraged by the city; people know their retailers by name.
-> The mix of locally owned businesses is such that at least some of them are "third places" -places where people can just spend time.
-> Local businesses work with schools to provide internships or part time jobs.
-> The public realm is managed to maximize community interaction and to facilitate public outcomes.
-> Spaces are managed to provide opportunities for generations to mix.
