It is written from the perspective of the future, as if these utopian neighbourhoods were already in existence and life were one long community festival. It was hard to imagine whilst reading it how any unemployed person could survive with apathy intact the hundreds of schemes for economic development, or how anyone would have time to slump in front of the TV with all the good works expected of them, or where somebody who was even temporarily fed up with neighbourliness could hide their head. But that is more the penalty paid for writing the book imaginatively, as if all the schemes were taking place in one region, rather than simply providing an encyclopaedia of ideas, as in the present volume.
There are some 800 schemes for improving the quality of life in the book. Here are two of the more striking ideas:
- I have always thought that there should be parts of tube platforms and other public places where it would not be considered eccentric to do one's exercises whilst waiting. Similarly, Bill Berkowitz writes:
- 'Scorecard is a watchdog group chosen by the neighbourhood associations. Scorecard holders walk the streets, and record police responses, cleanliness levels, code violations, fire waiting times. They grade on pre-set criteria, worked out in advance with the department in question.
'They put out a quarterly report card with numbers. Their grades mean money. They are bribed and threatened, which is a good sign. They are tough and controversial, and meant to be. A lot of people don't like them, and partly for that reason they are going to be around for a while.'
Berkowitz is the best sort of visionary, one with his feet on the ground, busy earthing his visions, and he is realistic as to limitations: 'tear-stained limits bound any intervention. Reformers will meet their wailing wall. Most interventions fail, or fade away fast. Only a handful yield enduring and desired change; only a thimbleful change which is also widespread. It is hard, rock-bottom hard, to leave a lasting mark on one's community, much less society. And so it may be wise to honour any actor, simply for acting.'
Bill Berkowitz, 12 Pelham Terrace, Arlington, MA 02174, USA (tel 617 646 6319). 'Community Dreams - ideas for enriching neighbourhood and community life' is published by Impact Publishers, Post Office Box 1094, San Luis Obispo, Calif. 93406, ISBN 0-915166-29-1, price $8-95.