The Success of DSNI

Extraordinary “Investments”

If a community is unified, organized, and can participate in a planning process, even one as unique as DSNI, enough political will can be created that the government will cease being an obstacle. In order to get support of their plan from Mayor Flynn, extraordinary investments were required from all involved. DSNI members knew that political will and having enough power was what was important in getting the Mayor on board with the plan.

The choice of a planning firm like DAC was crucial in realizing this plan, and shows definite wisdom on the part of DSNI in choosing a firm committed to a resident-driven process. DAC indicated their commitment, and competence with such a situation in their original proposal by noting that, even when dealing with low-income residents, planners are hired, above all, to serve their employers and not involve the community in the process.

Mayor Flynn’s and the city’s support for the DSNI plan stemmed not so much from the details of its contents, but the organized political power of the Dudley community. Organizing community and creating a vision for the neighborhood in decline were both keys to the plan’s success; to “translate caring into control.” The people already cared about their neighborhood, and they realized their need to get involved to push a plan such as DSNI through. It takes a large investment of energy on the part of community leaders and organizers to organize a community into a political movement destined to make a difference. The residents clearly had a commitment to the success of DSNI because it was their neighborhood, and livelihoods, that hung in the balance.