By Andres Viglucci

Pick a city block in a great American urban neighborhood. What comes to mind?

Soho, Times Square or Park Slope in New York, perhaps? Or Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and Wicker Park? Maybe San Francisco’s North Beach, or Georgetown and Adams Morgan in D.C.?

Very different places all. But what do they have in common?

They’re great to walk along. There’s lots to do and look at, not least of all the people going about their day. The buildings on the block are tightly packed, and a variety of shops, restaurants and other spaces display any number of interesting things and activities.

Now think about South Florida. There are places like those here, too. Maybe they’re not as well known as the above, or so iconic, and maybe there are not quite so many and those we do have are scattered around.

But they’re here, and we’re asking you to find them.

The Miami Herald is holding an open competition to identify the best urban block in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties.

The idea: to engage South Floridians in a discussion about what makes for a rich urban texture as downtowns and urban districts, once all but left behind in the rush to the suburbs, spring back to life across the region.

The Herald is sponsoring the contest in conjunction with WLRN/Miami Herald News, El Nuevo Herald, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Townhouse Center, a new Miami non-profit that promotes the development of urban neighborhoods in the manner of classic cities — through small, attached buildings that can be adapted over time to different uses.

We are soliciting photographs and short videos of your favorite urban block in the three counties, accompanied by a brief explanation of why it’s the best. Entries will be judged by five expert jurors. The winner will get a block party. Individuals will get cash prizes for best photo and video presentations.

Read more at MiamiHerald.com