Students from the Community, Environment and Planning (CEP) program at the University of Washington designed an intercept survey to explore the perceptions of neighborhood residents about issues in their community. Such issues include environmental quality, safety and crime, access to services, vibrancy of their business district, and community involvement.

In late 2004, students developed the survey to explore key neighborhood sustainability issues.  In early 2005, students developed a sampling plan to sufficiently capture a representative sample of the neighborhood's population.  Students collaborated with community volunteers to plan and conduct the surveys.

The CEP students had hoped to conduct surveys in four SUNI neighborhoods, but due to limited time, were only able to collect data in the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge community.  In April 2005, students conducted intercept surveys using hand-held electronic survey equipment. The electronic equipment was donated to the project by SurveyMagic. This equipment simplified the data collection and tabulation.

This project provides the CEP students an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with designing and developing a survey, understanding citizen concerns, engaging with community members, and analyzing and reporting on findings.

The Quality of Life survey research enables Sustainable Seattle to capture the views of a representative cross section of each neighborhood. For Sustainable Seattle and its community and city partners, the information provided by the survey can be used to understand citizen perceptions and priorities at the neighborhood level. This information can inform policy decisions and help focus actions that lead to neighborhood improvements.