Communities: The City, the Suburbs, and the Country

Living in a community of some type is an important part of one’s life. The feeling of community exists everywhere and in a variety of forms - from urban communities based in a big city to a small, close-knit rural ones, or anywhere in between. Community groups such as those of the police, hospitals, and others, provide strength, service, and support to the members who live within that community. It is natural that one feels at home and involved with one’s community, and wishes to engage with them in some way.  Learn more about community living, types of communities, and what makes them unique and special.

A community is essentially a group of people living in a place governed by similar laws, who share common rights, privileges, and interests. Living in a community often gives people a sense of security and allows them to live life socially with a sense of belonging. One reaches out to a community in times of happiness and distress, and for education, medical assistance, financial help, protection, and social entertainment. The community engages and embraces an individual and symbolizes that man is truly a social animal.

• Healthcare Community Services: Information about community-oriented healthcare initiatives.
• Ideas for Serving the Community: 366 ideas on how to serve your community and make it a better place to live in.
• Schools and Community Service: Role of service-learning and community service in K-12 public schools.
• Schools and Students with Disabilities: Comprehensive document on how schools can improve opportunities in athletics for students with disabilities.
• Hospitals and Support: Detailed article on how hospitals with chaplains can provide support and counseling to people who are critically ill.
• Community Policing: Information about community policing and problem oriented policing along with links to some community policing programs and activities.
• Community- Driven Police Services: A list of links on community-oriented police services provided by the Rockville Police Department.
• Community Life for the Disabled: Resources for people with disabilities to engage and enjoy the same community activities as everyone else. Includes information on independent living, recreation, travel and more.

Urban communities center around the city. A city is usually divided into the ‘old city’ which consists of historical buildings or architecture and then, the ‘new city’ which consists of modern buildings, skyscrapers, offices, apartment-style homes and the general buzz that surrounds city life. Living in the city can be a lot of fun and provide one with a comfortable and safe lifestyle. At the same time, there are several disadvantages to city living – costs are higher, pollution is more and the continuous fast pace of life may be detrimental for one’s health. However, as with every community, city life is exciting and engaging and one needs to experience it at least once.

• City Governments and Community Healthcare: Learn about the role that a city’s governments can play in improving health conditions in the city.
• How is a City Created: Detailed information on what affects city size, aspects and zones of a city as well as what makes a city successful.
• Most Livable Communities: Lists of the most livable and entrepreneurial communities in the US.
• Transportation in Urban Communities: Understand the evolution of the transport system to suit the urban community, types of transportation in cities and what comprises urban transportation areas, that is, roads, pedestrian areas, etc.
• Cost of Living Calculator: A useful tool for calculating the cost of living in different cities and comparing it with others.
• Fastest Growing and Shrinking US Cities: Learn about which cities are growing the fastest and which ones are shrinking financially and geographically.
• Health in Big Cities: Understanding the health conditions in big cities. Also, includes data on life expectancy in major cities of the world.
• Urban Development and Reconstruction: Information on how reconstruction and development of a city takes place in the form of urban quarters, the size and nature of the city and techniques for reconstructing the city.

Suburban communities are those that are formed on the fringes of cities. They provide families with the comfort of a city life and the peace of the country. Kids can play in gardens and neighbors can chat with one another. At the same time, suburban communities enjoy the benefits and services of the same community organizations as found in the city. Schools, hospitals, police, and fire departments are all an integral part of the suburban community life.

• Myths about Suburban Living: Clarifying some commonly held assumptions about suburban living.
• A History of Suburban Living: A virtual exhibition describing the development of the suburban community in Park Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
• Transportation in Suburbs: Information on the different types of suburban transport systems and how they differ from city transport.
• Suburban Government: Brief history of the suburban government system.
• Suburban Housing Shortage: Information on the shortage of housing facilities in the various U.S. suburbs.
• Postwar Suburban Homes: Photos and images of suburban homes in California, after WWII.
• Improving Suburban Health: Tips and ideas on how community planners, public health officials, schools and employers can work to improve health and fitness in the suburbs.
• Labor Force in City and Suburbs: A comparative study of the labor market outcomes between city dwellers and suburbanites.

Living the rural life is very different from both city and suburban life. Life in the countryside is more sustainable, with families often centered around agriculture and livestock. However, this does not mean that rural areas lack community in any way. Community organizations, such as police, hospitals, fire departments, and schools are all an active and involved part of the rural community. However, in rural areas, many of these services are often shared between multiple communities.

• All About Country Living: A comprehensive article on life in the country, things to consider regarding property, livestock, pets, utility services and more.
• Guide to Rural Living: Detailed information on how to live the rural life.
• A Guide to Owning Acreage: Information on owning an acreage in the country, factors involved and what to keep in mind.
• Rural Transportation: Facts about the rural transport system – who needs it? Who uses it? How to improve it?
• Rural Healthcare Reform: Brief description of the health insurance reform for rural areas in the US.
• Housing in Rural America: Detailed document on housing trends, problems and federal housing assistance for rural areas in the US.
• Rural Income and Welfare: Information with further links to the demographic features and poverty levels of rural America.

• Community Helpers for Grades K-1: Lesson plan and activities to teach kindergartners and first graders about the roles of different community helpers.
• The Community Fire Department: Lesson plans and more for parents and teachers to help kids learn about the role played by the Fire Department in the community.
• Teaching about Agriculture: A useful resource for teaching kids about rural communities and agriculture.
• Community and Business: Lesson plans and activities to help kids learn about different types of businesses in a community.
• Understanding Community: Lesson plans to teach kids about different types of communities.
• Community Helper Lesson Plan: A lesson plan to teach first graders about different community helpers.
• Teaching About Community Roles, History and More: Useful and practical lesson plans to help teachers build students’ knowledge about communities.

Community is what defines and binds everyone together. Made up of various institutions and people who perform a variety of roles and duties, a community is, therefore, central to life in human society.