The mission of the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) is to create livable and viable communities by providing pro-bono design, planning, and technical assistance in support of grassroots initiatives that directly improve neighborhoods. NDC takes on projects that fit within this mission and serve to achieve the following community revitalization goals: 1) Strengthen citizen participation in neighborhood initiatives; 2) Educate the public about the value of good design as a tool for community revitalization; and 3) Increase investment in the rebuilding of neighborhoods. We believe that design and planning are tools for community engagement, empowerment, and investment, tools that help people improve the places where they live, shop, work, and play.