Neighbourhood

The concept of a neighbourhood unit is used in urban planning and in other areas, and has also become a basic term in community development, as neighbourhoods are the physical space for local community activities as well as a psychological space in terms of relations.

Neighbourhoods are therefore viewed in space but also often as a local group offering togetherness in a locality. They have special architectural, economic and cultural focuses, which are clearly distinguished from other urban areas by their architectural character. In the minds of the inhabitants, neighbourhoods are seen as transparent, liveable units.

This kind of articulation is built on the fact that neighbourhoods can serve to raise a feeling of belonging, domesticity and responsibility in the inhabitants. The term neighbourhood has therefore become a basic concept in community development.

Neighbourhood work: comprehensive, complex, and self-initiated work processes, occasionally assisted by experts, conducted in the communities of a given settlement (or part of it) in coordination with local (county or state) authorities, organizations and institutions, and also with each other, which are expressions of the system of relationships within the community. [1]

References:

[1] Varga, A. T. – Vercseg, I.: 1998 and 2001 – Közösségfejlesztés. [Community Development]
Budapest, Hungarian Institute for Culture. http://www.pafi.hu/_Kozossegi_Adattar/Azadatt.nsf/99b0698cd023d1018525670c0080e328/ec68caea967c3c04c125679f005b84b7?OpenDocument

This article based on the following document: Community development methodological guide