I have been thinking quite a bit lately about Fresno and even the larger regional area of the San Joaquin Valley.  Within that area there are dozens of towns and cities.  Specifically today, I have been considering just want makes an urban city or a town a community?

Of course I understand that there are several definitions of community.  There is community in relation to location.  Community can also be defined by shared culture.  One of my favorite definitions says that community is a unified body of individuals.  The last definition really got me thinking about whether we live in a city or a community?  Maybe it is just a argument over semantics but I have a hunch that it is something more.

I live in Fresno.  Here we are facing some of the most challenging times in decades.  The challenges range from underwhelming high school graduation rates, to a struggle with keeping our brightest talent in the area, to job creation and economic vitality, to problems with image and that just scratches the surface.  These challenges are compounded by what I believe is one of the most beautiful aspects of Fresno which is our diversity.  As beautiful as our diversity is, it is challenging due to issues of difference in language and culture.

So I wonder, if we use the definition that a community is a unified body of individuals,how do we get there?  Or are have we already arrived? Are we closer to the idea of community today than we were a year ago? Five Years ago?  Or are we further away from the idea of community?

I would love your feedback.  What are the things that help us to turn a city or a town into a community? What is the work that needs to take place?  What type of leadership is required?  What physical amenities help a city in this process?  I would love for you to leave your thoughts if nothing else,  a way for me to better think through this.