The Pratt Center for Community Improvement was founded in Brooklyn in 1963 by Pratt Institute. Its aim was to help equalize the knowledge level of city and community representatives concerning issues in urban renewal, and to gain the confidence of local residents and enhance their participation in decision making. Participant education and technical assistance, local and city-wide conferences, a survey of Stuyvesant Heights, a vest-pocket park program, and steps toward a Model Cities program have been among the principal activities to date (1967). The chief result has been that, of all New York City ghetto areas, Bedford-Stuyvesant is the one most ready to receive a Model Cities program. Results have also underlined the importance of consistency of purpose, comprehensive goals, community organization, political neutrality, flexibility in rate of progress and in funding, concentration on operational rather than basic research, improved communication with the municipal bureaucracy, and the special position of the Center within Pratt Institute and in relation to city departments. (ly)