Cities throughout the world have spent centuries trying to mold themselves into models of civic beauty, public safety, and high-functioning infrastructure that keeps its citizens happy and productive. Needless to say, most communities fall short of these aspirations.
The larger cities here in Ventura County, such as Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks are typical American cities, continually struggling to balance their lofty ambitions with economic realities on the ground. Conflicting world views among a city’s leaders determine the direction of that city’s growth and development. Is there a common blueprint that cities such as ours can follow to maximize their potential?