Seven cultural descriptors are used to describe a community. The seven descriptors are geographic boundaries and natural features, networks (both formal and informal), publics, recreational activities, settlement patterns, supporting services and work routines. The figure above illustrates the seven cultural descriptors and their relationship to the community.
Discussion of the descriptors
Jump to a section:
- Geographic Boundaries
- Networks
- Publics
- Recreation Activities
- Settlement Patterns
- Supporting Services
- Work Routines
Geographic Boundaries and Natural Features
A geographic boundary is any unique physical or cultural feature that defines the extent of a community. Cultural and physical features generally separate the cultural identity and daily activities of a community from those living in other geographic areas. Cultural features are usually established by people or agencies over time and are based on historical, ethnic or social events.
Examples of cultural features include school district boundaries, ethnic settlement patterns forming distinct neighborhoods (e.g., Chinatown or a Polish community), and differing income levels (e.g., Nob Hill). Physical features include geologic, biologic, and climatic features, distances, or any other characteristics that distinguish one area from another.
Examples of physical features include mountain or hill ranges, valleys, roads, railroads, distances separating rural communities or areas, and rivers or streams. Geographic boundaries may be either permanent or temporary; over time, boundaries may dissolve as new settlement patterns develop and cultural/physical access to an area changes.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- What geographic area do people consider to be their home turf? What is the area
- which people identify as “theirs”? Are there any particular social or physical characteristics which people say are unique to their area?
- Within what general area do most of the routine activities occur? How far do networks which people use on a daily basis extend?
- Are there any physical barriers that separate geographical areas? Are there any cultural or economic barriers?
Networks
Networks are comprised of people who support each other in predictable ways because of their commitment to a common purpose, their shared activities, or similar attitudes. Networks share information and ideas. Networks function at different levels: within a neighborhood or community, across several different communities, or throughout a region. There are two types of networks: formal and informal.
Formal: A group of people committed to an activity or purpose. People usually join a formal network to represent their interests. Formal networks are usually identified by the vertical structure of their organization and management system. However, formal networks also refer to situations where several formal groups which have banded together for a common cause or purpose. These formal types of networks are usually not permanent and exist only as long as needed to work on their common goal. Formal
networks meet in specific locations at a scheduled time and usually follow an agenda. Examples of formal networks include cattlemen’s associations, homeowner associations, a preservationist or recreational club, and groups united to support/fight a common cause (such as Yucca Mountain). Read more about network structures.
Informal:An informal arrangement of people who join together to express their interests. Informal networks have a very horizontal structure and may only exist to help
people communicate with others who share common interests (e.g., a phone tree). Informal networks usually gather in familiar places where the people feel comfortable. These places are called gathering places and include restaurants, feed stores, bars, parks, etc. Examples of informal networks include ranchers who assist each other in times of need, grassroots citizens with a common cause, or families who recreate together. Read more about network structures.
It is important to note that networks are linked to other networks at different levels both formally and informally since people are often members of more than one network. Networks are important for identifying and validating issues and for monitoring the effectiveness of decisions.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- What networks do people use to express their interests? What is the function of each network? Who are the key contacts or respected leaders in each network?
- When and where do the networks gather to share information or services? How do the members of the network communicate with each other?
- Which networks function in an on-going manner? Which networks function temporarily around particular events or issues?
Publics
A segment of the population or group of people having common characteristics, interests, lifestyle, or some recognized demographic feature (e.g., average age, income, or ethnicity). The publics descriptor identifies a group of people who influence the community locally or who live elsewhere and have an interest in the way the community functions. Sample publics include ranchers, casino workers, farmers, homemakers, landowners, horse owners, recreationalists, senior citizens, small business owners and youth.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- What is the demographic make-up of the community? Are people defined together in understandable demographic groups?
- Who do people associate with that share common values or lifestyles? Are there common characteristics or lifestyles within the community?
- What are the on-going interests of each public? What publics outside of the community influence activities within the community?
Recreational Activities
A recreational activity is the way in which people spend their leisure time. Recreational activities include what recreational opportunities are available, the seasonality of these activities, the specialized equipment or resources involved in these activities, and the money and time required to pursue the activities. The frequency of local/nonlocal uses of recreational resources, the preferences of local/non-local users, and the location of the activities are also included.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- What are the principal types of recreational activities? Which activities, sites or facilities are most preferred? Are there recreational activities in which a wide range of people participate?
- What is the orientation of leisure time activities? Do these activities center around the family, team, church, school, etc.? How do the disabled or elderly recreate or spend their leisure time?
- How much time and money is spend on recreational activities? What kinds of recreational vehicles or equipment are used?
Settlement Patterns
A settlement pattern is the distribution of a population in a geographic area, including the historical cycles of settlement. Settlement patterns identify where a population resides and the type of settlement categorized by its centralized/dispersed, permanent/temporary, and year-round/seasonal characteristics. It also describes the major historical growth/no-growth cycles or benchmarks and the reasons (with dates) for each successive wave of settlement (e.g., 1977-78 pre-casino boom settlement pattern). Settlement
patterns will help identify times of change within a community.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- Where do people live and how is the population distributed in a community?
- What is the history of settlement? What types of people have moved into the community with each wave of settlement? Why did people settle in the community?
- Have there been significant increases or decreases in population in the past? Is the current settlement stable, increasing or decreasing? What major changes have occurred during past settlement cycles?
Supporting Services
A supporting service is any arrangement people use for taking care of each other. Supporting services include institutions serving a community (formal) and people’s individual caretaking activities (informal). Supporting services emphasize how these activities are
provided and enhanced in a community. Formal supporting services include commercial businesses, religious institutions, social welfare agencies, governmental organizations, and educational, medical and municipal facilities. Informal supporting services center on the family, the neighborhood and/or on friendship. People use these informal supporting services on a dayto-day basis to satisfy their caretaking needs.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- Where are the major support services located? What is the geographical area that these services support? Which services are routinely used by people in the community?
- How are the support services operated? What services are provided seasonally?
- How do people care for each other on a day-to-day basis? How do families, friends, church or volunteer groups provide support? How are the elderly, youth, disabled, poor and others taken care of? To what degree do people take care of their own problems or rely on formal supporting services?
Work Routines
A work routine is the way in which people earn a living, including where, when and how. The types of employment, the skills needed, the wage levels, and the natural resources required in the process are used to generate a profile of a community’s work routines. The
opportunities for advancement, the business ownership patterns and the stid=”wor”ability of employment activities are also elements of work routines.
Some questions to use when completing this descriptor include:
- What are the ways in which people earn a living? What kinds of skills are required of people in the various types of employment? What is the level of pay? Has there been significant shifts in employment activities or income levels in recent years?
- How stable are the employment activities? How significant is unemployment? What is the average age of the work force? Are youth and the elderly able to find employment?
- Are the majority of businesses owned locally or by corporations/people from outside the community? Do people commute to work or work within the community? What work routines are seasonal in nature?