GROUP # 1 - Chris Smith, Chris Andrews, Amanda Davis, Robert Kelly, Carmen
Herold-Lind, Mara Cohen, Caitlin Reeves, Heather Dudley
Definition of Built Capital –
Any human made environment with in a neighborhood which is based on its condition
either as a benefit or detraction to the quality of life of those with in the community. This
human capital can be either public or private; private consists of houses, cars, and other
personally owned technology etc… Public encompasses the water treatment plants,
sewers, infrastructure, street lights, streets as well as any other mechanism, building or
technology that helps the community function.
Capital Investing:
1) Do you belong to a bank that is owned and operated locally? Or do you belong
to a regional bank?
2) If you had $5,000 to invest in a business would you a) invest in a national
business such as Walmart or would you b) invest in a local technology company?
3) What do you think is better: a) rebuilding the communities electrical lines
underground, which is safer but more expensive. Or b) maintaining the
electrical lines above ground, which is cheaper but vulnerable to ice and snow
storms.
4) Do you invest in alternative sources of energy, such as solar power, wind
power, and water power? If so please list.
Housing:
Housing concerns have risen to the top of the lists of many (as gathered
through a Burlington Free Press article and hearing what people have been saying in this
group) as the top detraction from their quality of life. Included are survey
topics produced by the Legacy Project dealing with housing, as well as some
origional questions pertaining specifically to sewers.
-Septic Concerns. Private/Public? Inspected?
-Storm Drains. Do they back up/Flood? Effectively Placed?
-Are there any unpleasant smells?
In order to gauge housing concerns The Legacy Project based thier questions
around the following topics:
- # of beds in use; -# of Emergency shelters; -# of affordable housing
units; -% of owner occupied units; -% of population spending greater than
30% of their income on housing costs; -Estimated number of houses with in a
.25 mile of open space/parks.
Is there a grocery store within walking distance to you?
Is clean water readily accessible for your use at your current location (home)?
Do you believe that the current location of your home, the surrounding
neighborhood and the air quality in this area is polluted due to busy roads,
buildings and factories? (could use a scale of 1-10 for this question)
Technological Capital –
1) Do you want a bigger home?
2) How many TVs are in your home?
3) Are you happy with the amount of technology in your home (e.g. computers,
TVs, stereos, etc.) ?
4) How many cars are owned by your family or household?
Open Spaces/Recreation:
1) On average, how much time each week does you family spend utilizing your
yard?
2) Do you feel there are enough public gardens and parks in your neighborhood?
3) Is there a place in the neighborhood where children can go to play?
(playground, park, recreational facilities)...If not, would you like to see a
place like this constructed?
4) Does your neighborhood have a recreation center/senior center available to the
public? Would you use one if there was one available?
Infrastructure –
1) Would it be beneficial to build more parking garages in Burlington?
2) Do you find the roads in your neighborhood in good driving condition? (No potholes,
bumps, dips, etc)
3) Are the roads well-laid-out, so that you can easily get where you want to go without
encountering traffic problems?
4) Are the roads well-lit and inviting, with good visibility and adequate sidewalks, so
that you feel safe walking along them?
Schools & Daycare
1. Are there adequate day-care and pre-school facilities in your neighborhood?
2. Does this affect your ability to work?
3. What about grade schools?
4. Do you feel that these schools are physically safe and adequate—i.e., handicap
accessibility, no asbestos in walls and ceilings, everything up to code?
Manufacturing & Factories:
1. Do you know of any manufacturing plants in your area?
2. Does the use of heavy equipment facilitate work at your work place?
3. Does the use of heavy equipment have a direct correlation with health problems or
does their use aid you?
4. Do you think that your neighborhood is in a highly polluted area?
5. Do you believe that pollution is negatively affecting your health?
Savings:
1. For What reasons do you save money? (Eg. retirement, children’s education, “a rainy
day”, business purposes, etc…)
2. Where and how do you save money? (Eg. Local baking, Trading on the stock market,
real estate, etc…)
3. Would you consider you savings enough? Is the cost of living here in Burlington low
enough to support your desired or necessary savings?
Water Systems:
1. Do you live on or near any local water system or body of water?
2. Is your water treated before you drink it?
3. Do you buy bottled water?
4. Does your street or neighborhood ever flood during storm periods?
5. Do you use any body of water (such as Lake Champlain) for recreational use?
6. Do you think your water bill is reasonable? Unreasonable?