The Sustainability Shaper defines sustainable communities as:
‘healthy, productive, resilient, socially just and living within environmental limits'
Some typical ingredients of sustainable communities would include:
- a low carbon, resource efficient approach to service delivery
- a vibrant, low carbon, resource efficient economy which meets local needs for rewarding employment, learning and leisure opportunities
- sustainably constructed (or regenerated) affordable housing
- extensive use of locally-generated micro renewable energy and ‘Combined Heat & Power' to fuel publicly owned sites and buildings, private dwellings and business sites
- local sourcing of goods and services
- a ‘preventative' approach to health & well-being and social care
- a well connected and accessible 'green infrastructure' supporting biodiversity, community well-being and self-sufficiency
- social inclusion and empowerment - including programmes to involve everyone in solutions to both local and global challenges
- a sense of common identity and of what makes this place 'special'
Government's aim to devolve power to the local level is reflected by the new focus on Sustainable Community Strategies which are designed to take forward a sustainable vision for an area. Local Area Agreements are the intended delivery mechanism for the priorities of Sustainable Community Strategies and both are central to the work of Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). These emerging processes and policies provide a major opportunity to take a more integrated and sustainable approach as we make the shift to genuinely sustainable and resilient communities. That is not to say, however, that other activities don't have an equally important role. Community-led initiatives, for instance, are increasingly having a real impact and often have the advantage of broad community support - for more information see ‘Community-led initiatives' (see right hand menu).
Sustainability South West (SSW) - the charity championing sustainable development in the region and the coordinator of the Sustainability Shaper - has been working with a number of LSPs on integrating sustainability into the evolving area of Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements. SSW is using this experience to develop free resources for anyone seeking to maximize sustainable outcomes through these processes. If you're involved in (or wish to influence) your Sustainable Communities Strategy, Local Area Agreement or Local Strategic Partnership please browse the module resources (right).
Shaper modules (specialist guidance for particular ‘activities’ in the South West) are being developed in response to demand and support from a number of regional agencies. If your organisation (or its partners) is interested in commissioning/ sponsoring a particular module please let us know when you feedback.
