Windshield Survey : I. Community Core
Windshield Survey : I. Community Core
Windshield Survey : I. Community Core
Windshield Survey*
Observations Data
I. Community Core
1. History—What can you glean by looking (e.g., old, established
neighborhoods; new subdivision)? Ask people willing to talk: How
long have you lived here? Has the area changed? As you talk, ask if
there is an “old-timer” who knows the history of the area
2. Demographics—What sorts of people do you see? Young? Old?
Homeless? Alone? Families? What races do you see? Is the
population homogeneous?
3. Ethnicity—Do you note indicators of different ethnic groups
(e.g., restaurants, festivals)? What signs do you see of
different cultural groups?
4. Values and Beliefs—Are there churches, mosques, temples? Does
it appear homogeneous? Are the lawns cared for? With flowers?
Gardens? Signs of art? Culture? Heritage? Historical markers?
II. Subsystems
1. Physical Environment—How does the community look? What do you
note about air quality, flora, housing, zoning, space, green areas, animals,
people, man-made structures, natural beauty, water, climate? Can you find
or develop a map of the area? What is the size (e.g., square miles, blocks)?
2. Health and Social Services—Evidence of acute or chronic conditions?
Shelters? “Traditional” healers (e.g., curanderos, herbalists)? Are there
clinics, hospitals, practitioners’ offices, public health services, home
health agencies, emergency centers, nursing homes, social service
facilities, mental health services? Are there resources outside the
community but accessible to them?
3. Economy—Is it a “thriving” community or does it feel “seedy?” Are there
industries, stores, places for employment? Where do people shop? Are there
signs that food stamps are used/accepted? What is the unemployment rate?
4. Transportation and Safety—How do people get around? What type of
private and public transportation is available? Do you see buses, bicycles,
taxis? Are there sidewalks, bike trails? Is getting around in the community
possible for people with disabilities? What types of protective services
are there (e.g., fire, police, sanitation)? Is air quality monitored? What
types of crimes are committed? Do people feel safe?
5. Politics and Government—Are there signs of political activity (e.g., posters, meetings)?
What party affiliation predominates? What is the governmental jurisdiction of the
community (e.g., elected mayor, city council with single-member districts)? Are people
involved in decision making in their local governmental unit?
6. Communication—Are there “common areas” where people gather? What
newspapers do you see in the stands? Do people have TVs and radios? What do
they watch/listen to? What are the formal and informal means of communication?
7. Education—Are there schools in the area? How do they look? Are there
libraries? Is there a local board of education? How does it function? What
is the reputation of the school(s)? What are major educational issues?
What
are the dropout rates? Are extracurricular activities available? Are they used?
Is there a school health service? A school nurse?
8. Recreation—Where do children play? What are the major forms of recreation?
Who participates? What facilities for recreation do you see?
III. Perceptions
1. The Residents—How do people feel about the community? What do they identify
as its strengths? Problems? Ask several people from different groups (e.g., old,
young, field worker, factory worker, professional, minister, housewife) and keep
track of who gives what answer.
2. Your Perceptions—General statements about the “health” of this community.
What are its strengths?
What problems or potential problems can you identify?
Note: Supplement your impressions with information from the census, police records, school statistics, chamber of commerce data, health
department reports, and so on to confirm or refute your conclusions.Tables, graphs, and maps are helpful and will aid in your analysis.
*This survey form was renamed “Learning about the Community on Foot” to underscore the necessity of walking around the com-
munity. Also, when one of the authors (Elizabeth T. Anderson) used it in rural Mexico, the area being assessed was not accessible by
automobile. For ease of citation and referral, we will continue to use “windshield survey” as its title.
I. Inti Komunitas
1. Sejarah —
Apa yang dapat Anda kumpulkan dengan melihat (mis., Lingkungan lama, yang sudah
mapan; subdivisi baru)? Tanyakan kepada orang-orang yang mau berbicara: Sudah
berapa lama Anda tinggal di sini? Apakah area sudah berubah? Saat Anda berbicara,
tanyakan apakah ada "orang tua" yang mengetahui sejarah daerah tersebut
2. Demografi —
Orang macam apa yang Anda lihat? Muda? Tua? Tuna wisma? Sendirian? Keluarga?
Ras apa yang kamu lihat? Apakah populasinya homogen?
3. Etnisitas —
Apakah Anda mencatat indikator berbagai kelompok etnis (mis., Restoran, festival)?
Tanda-tanda apa yang Anda lihat dari kelompok budaya yang berbeda?
II Subsistem
1. Lingkungan Fisik — Bagaimana penampilan masyarakat? Apa yang kamu
perhatikan tentang kualitas udara, flora, perumahan, zonasi, ruang, area hijau,
hewan, orang, struktur buatan manusia, keindahan alam, air, iklim? Bisakah
Anda menemukan atau mengembangkan peta area? Berapa ukurannya (mis.,
Mil persegi, balok)?
2. Layanan Kesehatan dan Sosial — Bukti kondisi akut atau kronis? Tempat
penampungan? Penyembuh "Tradisional" (mis., Curanderos, jamu)? Adakah
klinik, rumah sakit, kantor praktisi, layanan kesehatan publik, lembaga
kesehatan rumah, pusat darurat, panti jompo, fasilitas layanan sosial, layanan
kesehatan mental? Apakah ada sumber daya di luar komunitas tetapi dapat
diakses oleh mereka?
3. Ekonomi — Apakah ini komunitas yang “berkembang” atau apakah itu merasa
“kumuh?” Apakah ada industri, toko, tempat kerja? Di mana orang berbelanja?
Apakah ada tanda-tanda bahwa kupon makanan digunakan / diterima? Berapa
tingkat penganggurannya?
6. Komunikasi — Apakah ada “area umum” tempat orang berkumpul? Koran apa
yang Anda lihat di tribun? Apakah orang-orang memiliki TV dan radio? Apa
yang mereka tonton / dengarkan? Apa cara komunikasi formal dan informal?
II. Persepsi
1. Penduduk —
Bagaimana perasaan orang tentang komunitas? Apa yang mereka
identifikasi sebagai kekuatannya? Masalah? Tanyakan beberapa orang dari
kelompok yang berbeda (mis., Tua, muda, pekerja lapangan, pekerja pabrik,
profesional, menteri, ibu rumah tangga) dan catat siapa yang memberikan
jawaban.
2. Persepsi Anda —
Pernyataan umum tentang “kesehatan” komunitas ini. Apa kekuatannya?
Masalah apa atau potensi masalah yang dapat Anda identifikasi?