For Communities — CityBloks

Small, neglected needs that affect daily life

CityBloks focuses on coordination failures and maintenance gaps—problems that are observable, bounded, and solvable, but fall below the threshold of institutional response.

Maintenance Gap

Faded crosswalk repainting

A high-traffic pedestrian crossing has faded markings. The city acknowledges it but it's not prioritized. Community coordinates temporary high-visibility markers until official repainting.

Coordination Failure

Bus stop shelter repair

Broken glass at a shelter makes it unusable. No entity claims responsibility. Community verifies the issue, coordinates temporary boarding, and documents for transit authority follow-up.

Accessibility Issue

Overgrown sidewalk clearing

Vegetation blocks sidewalk access for wheelchairs and strollers. Property responsibility is unclear. Community coordinates clearing and establishes maintenance pattern.

Safety Concern

Non-functioning streetlight

Dark section of path creates safety concern. Reporting to utilities hasn't resolved it. Community sets up temporary lighting and escalates through verified documentation.

Civic Friction

Missing park bench

Bench removal leaves elderly residents without rest stops on walking route. Community documents need, verifies usage patterns, and coordinates interim solution.

Information Gap

Unclear recycling schedule

New residents consistently miss collection due to unclear signage. Community creates clear visual guide, verifies reduction in missed collections.

Blok lifecycle stages

00
Registered

Boundary Established

A geographic Blok is registered in the network with defined boundaries.

  • Boundary exists in registry
  • No treasury deployed
  • Participation tracking begins
  • Community can start identifying needs
01
Activated

Treasury Deployed

Participation threshold met—local treasury is activated with provisional oversight.

  • Participation density threshold achieved
  • Treasury smart contract deployed
  • Provisional role-based signers (sunset by design)
  • Can begin funding small civic actions
  • Network Steward maintains backstop authority
02
Autonomous

Community-Controlled

First binding decision executed—steward signers removed, full local control.

  • Demonstrated capacity for self-governance
  • Network Steward signers removed from treasury
  • Community retains full decision authority
  • Optional governance tools available
  • Steward only intervenes for standards violations

What local treasuries can and cannot do

Allowed Uses

  • Small civic improvements with public benefit
  • Community coordination efforts
  • Cultural or neighborhood activities
  • Temporary solutions to coordination failures
  • Materials for verified civic actions
  • Documentation and memory preservation

Not Allowed

  • Profit distribution to individuals
  • Business operations or commercial activity
  • Hiring staff or creating employment
  • Personal projects with incidental public value
  • Partisan political activity
  • Converting participation into cash payments

Interested in bringing CityBloks to your community?

We're currently working with early communities to refine the model. If you're interested in participating, reach out to discuss whether CityBloks is a good fit for your context.

Get in Touch