Windshield Survey Template

Housing and Zoning

Description:
What is the age of the houses, architecture? Of what materials are they constructed? Are
all the neighborhood houses similar in age, architecture? How would you characterize their
differences? Are they detached or connected to others? Do they have space in front or
behind? What is their general condition? Are there signs of disrepair-broken doors,
windows, leaks, locks missing?
Don’t forget senior housing, subsidized housing and housing such as assisted living
centers.

Open Space
Description:
How much open space is there? What is the quality of the space – green parks or rubble-
filled lots? What is the lot size of the houses? Lawns? Flower boxes? Do you see trees on
the pavements, a green island in the center of the streets? Any parks, are they in use or
empty and desolate? Is the open space public or private? Used by whom?

Boundaries
Description:
What signs are there of where this neighborhood begins and ends? Are the boundaries
natural---a river, a different terrain; physical---a highway, railroad; economic-difference in
real estate or presence of industrial or commercial united along with residential? Does the
neighborhood have an identity, a name? Do you see it displayed? Are there unofficial
names?

“Commons”
Description:
What are the neighborhood hangouts? For what groups, at what hours (e.g. schoolyard,
candy store, bar restaurant, park, 24-hour drugstore)? Does the “commons” area have a
sense of “territoriality,” or is it open to the stranger?

Transportation
Description:
How do people get in and out of the neighborhood---car, bus, train, bike, walk, etc.? Are
the streets and roads conducive to good transportation and also to community life? Is there
a major highway near the neighborhood? Whom does it serve? How frequently is public
transportation available?

Service centers
Description:
Do you see social agencies, recreation centers, signs of activity at the schools? Are there
offices of doctors and dentists, rehab centers, hospitals, etc.? What about child care centers
or adult medical day care centers?

1
Stores
Description:
Where do residents shop---shopping centers, neighborhood stores (eg. local bodegas),
outdoor markets, eg. farm markets? How do they get there, by foot, car, public
transportation?

Street People
Description:
If you are traveling during the day, whom do you see on the street-an occasional housewife,
mother with a baby? Do you see anyone you would not expect-teenagers, unemployed
males? Any homeless visible? Is the dress of those you see representative or unexpected?
Along with people, what animals do you see-stray cats, pedigreed pets, “watchdogs”?

Signs of Decay
Description:
Is this neighborhood on the way up or down? Is it “alive”? How would you decide? Trash,
abandoned cars, political posters, neighborhood-meeting posters, real estate signs,
abandoned houses, mixed zoning usage?

Race
Description:
Are the majority of the residents Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native
American or Pacific Islander? Does the area seem to be integrated or does one racial group
predominate?

Ethnicity
Description:
Are there indices of ethnicity---food stores, churches, private schools, information in a
language other than English?

Religion
Description:
Of what religion are the residents? Do you see evidence of heterogeneity or homogeneity?
What denomination are the churches, synagogues, temples, etc.? Do you see evidence of
their use other than on Sunday mornings?

Health and Morbidity

Description:
Do you see evidence of acute or of chronic diseases or conditions? What about substance
use/abuse, mental illness, etc.? How far it is to the nearest hospital or multi-purpose clinic?
Any clinics designated for particular purpose, eg. infectious disease, planned parenthood,
etc.

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Politics
Description:
Do you see any political campaign posters? Is there a headquarters present? Do you see
an evidence of predominant party affiliation?

Media
Description:
Do you see outdoor television antennas; satellite dishes?
What media seem most important to the residents-radio, television, print, internet based ?

From:
Anderson, E.T., & McFarlane, J. (2010). Community as Partner: Theory and Practice in nursing
Philadelphia Pa.: J.B. Lippincott.
(Reviewed and revised 9.5.18 Gboseman)
_____________________________________________________________________________

Use the following website for additional information related to windshield surveys:
 http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-
resources/windshield-walking-surveys/main

 After completing the walk-through or drive-thru of the neighborhood you are surveying
(part 1), please obtain formal data related to the various subsections (part 2), then do a short
analysis of the findings. This analysis is the basis of the community problem paper required
in the theory component of this course.

 The windshield survey is best done in a table format- suggested 3 columns

o Column 1 list the areas to be observed, eg. Housing and zoning, etc.
o Column 2 – list your observations (what you see – the subjective data)
o Column 3 – include pertinent data related to what you have observed
o Follow with short 1 page analysis where you identify any strengths and weaknesses
related to your community of interest.

 Community of interest must be approved by clinical faculty.

You may also find these references helpful:

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-
resources/windshield-walking-surveys/main

https://www.scribd.com/doc/25455756/Windshield-Survey-Tool

09/18 Gb