Скачать или смотреть Story of Place: Montbello Neighborhood

Montbello, a suburban development in Denver, Colorado, has remained largely unchanged since its inception in the late ‘60s. Since then, this community has become incredibly close because of their shared values and pride for their diversity and culture. Two prominent Registered Neighborhood Organizations in Montbello have brought the community together even more to identify and voice collective issues.

The main issues identified by Montbello residents are lack of connectivity throughout the neighborhood and to the rest of the City of Denver, and lack of access to healthy foods.

The City and County of Denver planners are working with the Montbello community to address issues and strategize ways to activate underutilize areas, like the Peoria corridor. These development plans are underway in the Far Northeast Plan, which addresses Montbello, as well as communities in Green Valley Ranch and Denver International Airport.

While the community is hopeful about the changes that are possible, there is a weariness about the inevitability of gentrification and involuntary displacement. The city planners have been working closely with the Montbello community and are committed to making conscious decisions about where to propose change that will address the community needs, while preserving the neighborhood character.

Here are some discussion questions:

One of the worries in Montbello is that any kind of change will bring gentrification. How are planners today working towards positive change in Montbello (or Denver as a whole) while avoiding gentrification? According to Forester’s description of types of planners, which role are they taking: the technician? Incrementalist? Progressive?

Montbello has several registered neighborhood organizations that have done a lot to benefit the neighborhood, yet there is still low connectivity to the rest of the city, and poor food access. Why is this, and is it even within the power of neighborhood organizations to help these conditions? Is it within the power of planners?

In the video, Val says that Montbello is helped by being in the city, but is incredibly strong on its own. What does it mean for a neighborhood to be both independent and integrated at the same time? Is this possible?