3c hapter - Index of

44 Locavesting
Americans know most of their neighbors by name, and 28 percent
know none, according to a Pew Research poll. Vibrant neighborhoods
are key to shaking us out of our increasingly atomized existences.
They also provide relief from a soul- crushing monoculture of
strip malls and highways. A study by CEOs for Cities found that,
even in the midst of a housing slump, houses in areas with greater
levels of walkability—measured by their proximity to stores, restaurants,
and other amenities—had higher values, commanding
premiums of $4,000 to $34,000. 10
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Soul of the
Community project interviewed 43,000 people in 26 communities
over three years to determine what makes a community a desirable
place to live. The answers are important, the foundation notes,
because communities that inspire a strong sense of attachment
among their residents have higher local GDP. What did they fi nd?
The most desirable qualities are the presence of social gathering
spots, openness and a welcoming spirit, and an area’s physical beauty
and green spaces. 11 It seems we are nostalgic for the idyllic small
town. There is a deep sense that we have lost something vital, that
the forces of corporate- led globalization have eroded the character,
independence, and cultural diversity of our towns and communities.
That is true in the world’s most remote villages as well as its biggest
metropolises. In response, grassroots organizations around the world
are forming to counter that trend with “economic localization.”
The signs are everywhere. Cooperatives, community gardens,
and community- supported agriculture are fl ourishing. Slow
Money, a national network modeled on the Slow Food movement,
is attempting to fi nance the rebuilding of local food systems. The
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a coalition
of citizens and entrepreneurs passionate about building strong local
communities, is making an impact in every corner of the country.
Meanwhile, hundreds of “transition towns” across the United States
and other countries are marshaling grassroots resources to build
resilient communities that can withstand severe ecologic or economic
shocks and offer a higher quality of life.
Communities are taking control of their economic destiny.
Many have created local currencies, such as Detroit Cheers or