HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter II Community Vision & PII. COMMUNITY VISION AND PROFILE
A. COMMUNITY VISION
Every city needs a vision that not only inspires its residents but also provides a framework for
goals, objectives, strategies and outcomes for addressing community needs. At the end of this
chapter is a strategic planning model the City used in formulating vision and mission
statements, needs, goals, and objectives. The strategic goals fall into five main categories:
promoting decent affordable housing, increasing community development by improving
underserved neighborhoods, ending chronic homelessness, expanding economic opportunities,
and coordination of housing and supportive services for special needs populations (non-
homeless).
The Economic and Community Development staff conducted a written survey of perceived
community needs by residents between April and September 2004. The community survey
results in conjunction with information obtained from stakeholder workshops, meetings, and
secondary needs sources (i.e., census data, strategic plans, city general plan, annual reports,
and special community needs assessments), laid the groundwork for the community vision and
strategy.
Using a collaborative citizen approach to consolidated planning (see consolidated planning
process flowchart at end of this chapter), the following vision and mission statement were
generated for the Consolidated Plan 2010.
Vision - To become a safer, more attractive family-oriented community by unifying the City;
enhancing economic prosperity; and improving cultural, recreational, health, housing, and
educational opportunities for all residents.
Mission - To provide a suitable living environment by improving the safety and livability of
neighborhoods; expanding economic opportunities by creating jobs for low-income
individuals; and assisting residents in obtaining affordable and fair housing.
B. COMMUNITY PROFILE
The City of Bakersfield is located in the San
Joaquin Valley in Central California.
Incorporated in 1898, Bakersfield has
experienced significant population growth in
recent years. During the 1970’s, the population
increased 53% to 106,000. This was followed
by population increases of 66% in the 1980’s
and 41% in the 1990’s.
Bakersfield, which is named after Colonel
Thomas Baker, has continued to grow both in
population and in land annexations. According
to the California Department of Finance and
Census Bureau, since 1950, the population has grown nearly 700%, from 34,800 to 279,000.
The City’s land size since the early 1970s has increased fourfold to over 10 square miles to
accommodate this growth. With a variety of job opportunities and affordable housing prices,
Bakersfield continues to solidify itself as a major metropolitan area in central California.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 II-1 May 2005
The City is projected to continue its rapid population growth in the foreseeable future. Rapid
population growth brings new challenges and opportunities. Demographic change associated
with population growth presents different housing needs. Physical growth of the community
also brings forth the need to improve older areas of the City, extend and upgrade infrastructure,
and encourage new housing to attract and retain the local workforce. The City is investing
heavily in infrastructure and neighborhoods, economic and redevelopment projects, and public
services. The City is also slated as the future location of a high-speed rail line connecting to
Los Angeles and Northern California.
Even with rapid development Bakersfield is dedicated to ensuring equal treatment in housing,
employment, and municipal services. The City faces the challenge of encouraging the provision
of housing suitable to its diverse population, generating jobs which offer opportunities of all skill
levels, providing municipal services to all neighborhoods, encouraging reinvestment where
needed to clean up deteriorated areas, and ensuring that people are treated fairly in the rental,
sale, and occupancy of housing. See the Housing Market Analysis chapter which contains
additional information on the City’s community profile.
City of Bakersfield
Consolidated Plan 2010 II-2 May 2005