Do we have community in St. Louis?
A quote I recently read in the December 2008 issue of Urban Land which is published by the Urban Land Institute, made me think about St. Louis. The author Patrick Hanlon, a community branding expert, wrote “The strength of community lies in spirit-shared values, trust in one’s neighbors, and a vision filled with hope and dreams.” Do we have these elements of spirit Hanlon outlines?
He later outlines 7 elements that are strands of a community’s culture: creation story, creed, icons, rituals, lexicon, non-believers, and leaders and claims cities with a rich cultural heritage relish all of them. Do we have these elements?
I think we are stronger in the elements of community culture than the strengthening elements of spirit Hanlon outlines. I would like to know how you feel. Where are we strong? Where are we lacking? What is our creation story, icons, lexicon? Who are our leaders?
