PITTSBURGH CIVIC HEALTH INDEX ABOUT THE PARTNERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CITIZENSHIP topics as same-sex marriage, climate change, good governance, At the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), we believe and the challenges of the Marcellus Shale. It has also facilitated everyone has the power to make a difference in how their deliberation at the campus and neighborhood level. community and country thrive. We are a dynamic, non-partisan nonprofit working at the forefront This project was made possible by the generous support of The of our nation’s civic life. We continuously explore what shapes Pittsburgh Foundation. today’s citizenry, define the evolving role of the individual in our THE PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION democracy, and uncover ways to motivate greater participation. Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the Through our events, research and reports, NCoC expands our nation’s oldest community foundations and is the 14th largest of nation’s contemporary understanding of what it means to be a more than 750 community foundations across the United States. citizen. We seek new ideas and approaches for creating greater civic health and vitality throughout the United States. As a community foundation, our resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations CENTER FOR METROPOLITAN STUDIES with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment The Center for Metropolitan Studies at the University of to the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation currently has Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs more than 1,800 individual donor funds and, together with its undertakes its research and community engagement on the supporting organizations, assets of approximately $900 million. emerging need for effective, participatory, and democratic Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of community life within decision making at the metropolitan level. It is currently focused Pittsburgh and beyond. on creating a sense of urban core by integrating and connecting the central city and its surrounding municipalities. The Foundation has strengthened its focus on community and the positive impact it strives to achieve through its grantmaking, PROGRAM FOR DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY the engagement of its donors in critical regional issues and its The Program for Deliberative Democracy strives to improve activities around convening and leadership, in collaboration with local and regional decision-making through informed citizen funding and civic partners. deliberations. Founded in 2003, it is an independent, non-partisan organization housed at Carnegie Mellon University under the Center for Ethics and Policy. It has utilized Deliberative Polling® and other forms of community conversations to cover such Cover photo credit: Left: VisitPittsburgh; Center: The Pittsburgh Foundation; Right: VisitPittsburgh Above photo credit: VisitPittsburgh TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgments: Key Findings ..............................................................................................................................................................................................4 Special thanks to The Pittsburgh Key Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................................................5 Foundation for their support and their continued civic commitment to be Background: The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Region ...................................................................................................7 a true force for transformation and Demographic Profile of the Region ...........................................................................................................................................8 positive growth. Regional Attitudes about the Public Space of Government and Community ...................................9 Pittsburgh Regional Quality of Life Survey ........................................................................................................................9 Authors: 2010 Temple Poll .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Robert Cavalier is Director of Carnegie 2010 Allegheny County Deliberative Democracy Poll ........................................................................................ 13 Mellon’s Program for Deliberative Civic Health Index Findings ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Democracy and author of Democracy Volunteering and Giving .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 for Beginners (For Beginners, LLC Voting and Registration ............................................................................................................................................................... 14 2009) and Approaching Deliberative Democracy: Theory and Practice Interactions with Neighbors .................................................................................................................................................... 15 (Carnegie Mellon University Communications with Friends and Family ................................................................................................................... 15 Press, 2011). Political Involvement ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Group Membership ..........................................................................................................................................................................17 David Miller is a Professor at the Confidence in Institutions ..........................................................................................................................................................17 Graduate School of Public and Findings .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 International Affairs (GSPIA) at the Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 University of Pittsburgh. He is the Technical Notes ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 author of The Regional Governing A Word About Recommendations .......................................................................................................................................... 25 of Metropolitan America (Westview Press, 2002) and America’s Newest Endnotes ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Frontier: The Metropolitan Region Civic Health Index and Partners ............................................................................................................................................. 26 (with Raymond Cox, M.E. Sharpe, 2014). Use your smart phone to download and learn about the Pittsburgh Civic Health Index EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) began America’s Civic Health Index in 2006 to measure the level of civic engagement and health of our democracy. In 2009, NCoC was incorporated into the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and directed to expand this civic health assessment in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Census Bureau. NCoC now works with partners in more than 30 communities nationwide and uses civic data to lead and inspire a public dialogue about the future of citizenship in America and to drive sustainable civic strategies. Civic health reflects the degree to which residents talk to neighbors, spend time with friends or family, participate in community groups, vote, talk about politics, and act to further a civic interest. Civic health also relates to the overall well-being of neighborhoods, communities, states, and the nation. Strong civic health is vital to a democracy. Active citizen engagement builds consensus for policy that reflects the needs of the community and “promotes effective governance by fostering transparency and accountability of public institutions.”1 Moreover, strong social cohesion – defined as talking to neighbors, doing favors for neighbors, trusting neighbors, and seeing and hearing from family and friends – and civic health have been linked to better public health outcomes, including improved child development and adolescent well-being, improved mental health, lower violent crime rates and youth delinquency, and reduced mortality.2 Citizens in the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s civic health is strong. Citizens