Civic Unity

Posted by on June 15, 2006

Watching the Heat-Mavs game tonight, I am struck by the sea of white in the arena. Heat fans all dress in white to show their unity. It reminds me of my visit to Pamplona, Spain, during the San Fermin Festival, when participants wear white with red kerchiefs around their necks. Visitors who do the same instantly feel like they belong.

A review of the latest CEOs for Cities survey of college-educated young adults shows that a welcoming community is very high on the list of attributes they seek in cities. How can urban leaders translate the feeling of unity gained from wearing a "uniform" or cheering for a favorite team to everyday life in cities?