University of Texas Arlington

ARLINGTON - The University of Texas at Arlington's School of Urban and Public Affairs is working with the City of Arlington and residents of the Town North community to develop a neighborhood plan.

Associate Professor Jianling Li and Assistant Professor Colleen Casey's graduate students surveyed residents of the area - bounded by Randol Mill Road, Sanford Street and Cooper and Collins streets - to assess the neighborhood's assets and challenges. Students presented the survey results at a recent Town North community meeting.

The survey targeted 630 of the 1,743 total households in Town North; 191 residents responded. The sample population reflected the demographic characteristics of the community overall based on census data.

The survey identified neighborhood concerns as

• crime,
• employment and training
• public transportation
• and public disturbances.

Although the neighborhood has experienced problems with gang activity, prostitution and other public safety issues, the students found that its assets include location, convenience to work, affordability and social cohesion. The survey indicated that 45 percent of the residents know a neighbor by name, 35 percent had been invited into a neighbor's home and 21 percent knew someone in the neighborhood before moving there. The findings will be used in the coming months to develop the neighborhood plan.

For more information, contact Casey at colleenc@uta.edu or 817-272-3356.

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