Nashville residents to weigh in with their ideas in survey

Imagine Nashville, a community-led effort, has develop a bold and actionable vision for the future of Nashville and has launched a community-wide survey with the aim of collecting input about what should come next for the city of 1.3 million. Along with a survey, the group will visit neighborhoods, host events and have discussions all over the city.

Anyone who lives or works in Nashville is asked to weigh in. The survey can be taken online and is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic. In the coming weeks, paper copies of the survey and physical drop-boxes will be placed at area Nashville Public Library branches with additional locations coming soon.

Organizers write: “Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. That has brought both big opportunities and challenges. Imagine Nashville is rooted in the belief that to be successful long-term, we need a shared vision and actionable plan driven by everyday Nashvillians. Our efforts will ensure everyone has a voice in the future of our city.”

“Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, bringing with it both new opportunities and new challenges. As we look ahead, we need a ‘North Star’ – a shared vision and actionable plan rooted in the values and aspirations of all Nashvillians,” said Imagine Nashville Co-Chair Dr. Alex Jahangir. “The community survey is one of many ways we’re asking Nashvillians to weigh in. We want every neighborhood, every voice, every idea.”

The survey is one of several strategies being deployed over the course of the next several months, culminating in the creation of a concrete, specific, actionable plan with transparency and accountability for results. The idea is to have one, unified vision that can harness the resources of government, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, the business community and more.

The survey link is https://imaginenashville.org/#survey.

Imagine Nashville efforts involve not just adults but also young people. There is a parallel youth survey underway (for Nashvillians under 18) and they can weigh in at https://youth.civicdesigncenter.org/high-school/dream-city.

Phase 1 underway now is about digging deep to really understand what everyday Nashvillians think is working and not and, more importantly, to identify a set of shared values that cut across traditional geographic, socioeconomic, ethnic and age differences. The community survey is one of several different attitudinal tools being used.

Phase 2 is about working together to identify the path forward. This will come from many different community engagement efforts in neighborhoods all across Nashville to brainstorm for solutions and agree upon a set of ambitious but achievable “ideas for action” to guide the work of many across the city. Every Nashvillian is being asked to give five minutes to share their thoughts on what’s working and not in the city, what makes an ideal neighborhood, and how to best tackle issues of affordability and housing, transportation and mobility, education, and more.