Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations
Statement of Vision For Albany
CANA's Statement of Goals: The underlying principle in our stated goals is this: "What is good for the residents of Albany's neighborhoods, is good for the vitality, well being and growth of the entire community."
The standard of life in any community is only as good as the quality of living in all its neighborhoods. Our principle resource- people- should be afforded the proper environment and the opportunities to grow and improve their quality of life.

On January 5, 2005, the Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations adopted a statement of vision for the City of Albany with the following goals:

I. Albany must be supported in its development as an urban center with a focus on maintaining the highest possible quality of life:
" Walking, cycling and other forms of transportation that are clean and healthful alternatives to the automobile must be encouraged and promoted, through the development of safe, affordable and attractive facilities;
" All neighborhoods should be developed to include a range of housing opportunities and essential and complimentary business enterprises to promote their safety, diversity and vitality. Residents must feel safe in their homes and on the streets;
" Downtown development must include residential opportunities, as well;
" Infill development opportunities must be promoted/pursued to maximize taxable value, eliminate blight, and encourage vital neighborhoods of appropriate density to support necessary neighborhood services;
" Housing, educational, and cultural opportunities must be offered within Albany that are fully competitive with those offered in other communities, so that the City is considered a desirable place to live;
" The urban character and vitality of Albany must be publicly promoted and celebrated:
" Neighborhoods are the core strength of the City, and neighborhood associations are vital to the health and well-being of each neighborhood. Neighborhood associations must be recognized as partners in future development within their jurisdictions, both for guidance, vision, and support;

II. Albany must be treated as a capital city:
" Development proposals for locations in the City must be designed to reflect the significance of a location in the capital of the State of New York;
" The publicly-owned facilities of the City must be maintained and improved to reflect the grandeur incumbent upon a capital city;
" The historic significance and importance of Albany as the capital of the Empire State must be publicly promoted and celebrated.

III. Albany must celebrate the diversity within:
" The diverse backgrounds and heritage of Albany's people need to be recognized as a source of strength. All members of the Albany family are to be respected and nurtured to their fullest potential, and provided the fullest opportunity to participate in the civic realm through unfettered access to and understanding of, the governmental decision-making process. Albany must protect and defend democracy. All citizens should have the opportunity to be heard and to participate in City government and in their neighborhoods;
" The full resources of Albany's educational, cultural and financial institutions must be brought to bear to ensure full and equal opportunity for all residents of the community;
" The diversity of Albany must be publicly promoted and celebrated, including the diversity of its people, its architecture, and its institutions;