The ultimate goal should be for all neighborhoods to be a good place to live. The city's existing neighborhoods vary widely in their character and needs, but new development should be sensitive to the existing uses in the neighborhood. The capacity of neighborhood organizations should be strengthened. Neighborhood organizations themselves can be the most powerful and effective tool to preserve and revitalize neighborhoods. The city, educational institutions, and non-profits should work to expand the knowledge and skills of residents in order to empower them to handle neighborhood issues as they develop.
Neighborhood character is difficult to define and can be different for every residential area.
It is an important factor that gives a neighborhood its identity and its sense of place. Character is often a complex set of perceptions based on the location, geographic features, landscaping, building types and other unique aspects of the area. Traffic within neighborhoods, particularly cut-through traffic, is one of the most important issues to Phoenix residents. People are concerned about the noise and safety problems associated with living on or near major streets. There should be safe, direct, pleasant paths for pedestrians, bikers and riders on horseback to use.