2. Improvements to Existing Housing
   Improvements to the existing housing stock can be made to facilitate community interaction and to enhance the sense of security in the neighborhood. The existing plan configuration of buildings could be strengthened through the establishment of courtyards between groups of buildings. Improvements to the exteriors of homes, such as sidewalks, low fences, and porches could reinforce the courtyard concept. By grouping rows of homes in sets of twos, each group could incorporate an internal courtyard between the two rows. Additional parking could be provided on the back, or "between-group" side of the homes. Similar types of improvements could be made to housing developments across the country allowing for greater neighborhood pride and increased property values. For example, Diggs Town, a Norfolk, Virginia, housing development built in the 1950’s on big blocks with poorly defined open space between buildings, was redesigned 45 years later. The revitalization cost $45,000/unit ($28,000 for interior changes and $17,000 for exterior changes) and opened up access to interior spaces that had previously been isolated. In addition, community policing was also introduced and police calls in the neighborhood dropped to 2 or 3 a week from 25 to 30 a day.

Existing Layout	Sidewalk Improvements
Low Front Fences	Sheltered Porches

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