Neighborhood Horizons Program (Archive)
Orlando's Neighborhood Planning Process

Neighborhoods Horizons was a City-sponsored planning initiative designed to engage our residents in the process of planning for the next millennium.  The program provided residents, property owners and business operators with an organized, focused way to identify, prioritize and record the issues that affect their neighborhoods most.  With the help of City staff, residents came together to develop a strategy for improving the appearance, value, safety, livability and desirability of their neighborhood, while at the same time helping to achieve the City's vision:

"Orlando is a safe city with a strong local economy and livable neighborhoods that support and strengthen our diverse businesses, individuals and families."

All neighborhood associations listed with the City's Neighborhood Services Office were eligible to participate in the Neighborhood Horizons process.  Once selected to participate, the neighborhood association's planning committee worked with City staff to schedule and conduct a neighborhood training workshop, a neighborhood tour, a neighborhood planning workshop, and any necessary follow-up meetings needed to arrive at a strategy for addressing the neighborhood's future.  Potential benefits were as follows:

• Individual residents, property owners and business operators had the opportunity to voice their concerns;
  

• Neighborhood association built consensus regarding key issues and priorities within their neighborhood;
  

• City staff and policymakers became better informed about the issues affecting the participating neighborhood; and
  

• Strong partnerships were forged between neighbors, the City civic groups and the business community.

By participating in Neighborhood Horizons, residents could better understand the needs of their neighborhood and be more efficient in channeling their limited time and energy to the issues that mattered most.  All neighborhoods were encouraged to participate in the Neighborhood Horizons program.

Neighborhood Horizon Strategy Documents (Archive)