Desmond A.’s Post

🚀 Calling all city leaders and change-makers! The Centre for Public Impact's latest article is a must-read for anyone passionate about driving positive change in their community. Explore real stories and insights from cities across the nation, and discover how they're harnessing the power of innovation to address systemic issues and build stronger, more resilient communities. #CityLeadership #InnovationCulture #CommunityDevelopment #ChangeAgents https://hubs.ly/Q02wmz1P0

💡 Innovation isn't just a buzzword – it's a catalyst for change. Join us as we unpack the essential practices driving meaningful innovation in city governance. From building trust with communities to breaking down entrenched silos, learn how cities are embracing a mindset of continuous improvement to tackle complex challenges head-on. #InnovationLeadership #CityInnovation #ChangeManagement #ContinuousImprovement https://hubs.ly/Q02wmdwr0

When it comes to innovation, communities, public leaders, and organizations trust @urbaninstitute as their go-to source for solutions. As a trusted advisor and convener, Urban has made a significant impact across the nation. Our 2023 Impact Report showcases the difference we've made, from helping families put food on the table to ensuring safety from train derailments and promoting access to college for students of color in a post-affirmative action world. Join us in making a difference. Read our 2023 Impact Report and share. urbn.is/2023ImpactReport

Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and the bond between city leaders and their communities is no exception. Cities thrive when there's a high level of trust between local government and neighbors. Projects move forward smoothly, challenges are tackled collaboratively, and a shared vision for the future takes shape. But in many cities that critical trust is lacking. Residents may feel disconnected from decision-makers or skeptical of their motives. Leaders might struggle to engage citizens or incorporate diverse perspectives effectively. This erosion of trust creates friction that holds cities back from reaching their full potential. The good news is that trust can be rebuilt and strengthened through intentional efforts on both sides. This post will explore why trust between city leadership and community members is so vital and provide actionable tips for both groups to foster deeper connections. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/e_Mj_PTE

As our city continues to grow towards a population of over 9 million by 2050, we have an opportunity now to collectively explore research data that may help us collectively steer a course to maintain our enviable reputation of being a liveable and loveable destination to visit, do business or call home. Next week GHD will dive into our global research exploring intergenerational equity through an infrastructure lens. Viewed from multi-generational perspectives, we will learn from other jurisdictions about global concerns of balancing sustainability aspirations, cost of living pressures and transportation challenges. If you are in any way curious about what we may learn from other global regions, please register to join our Crossroads webinar next week. #FutureCommunities #Crossroads #Mobility #PowerofCommitment

I'm just picking-over the (fish)bones of the High Streets Task Force like a city centre seagull! Those of you involved in one of the 149 High Streets that the Task Force assisted -and those like me, who provided some of the assistance- should be familar with this fishbone diagram summarising causes and solutions for town and city centre upheaval. One of the things that I most liked about the Task Force since the outset, was its focus on the 'how' of town and city centre revitalisation, as well as the 'what'. Words like 'data', 'activation', 'communication' and 'governanace' in the fishbone summary are testimony to this. As it closes its virtual door, I find it fascinating to reflect about how and if this focus might live on. It has been great to see the focus on place leadership and inclusive partnerships as a constant throughout the Task Force’s activity. This is what I will most look for in the forthcoming sharing of lessons learned that can hopefully inform future support for the renewal of our town and city centres. It is great that the work of the last five years has championed and gathered evidence about the important role of place leaders, whether from the community, sympathetic businesses, or public services. Such local leadership can be key to developing and delivering compelling town centre visions and the creation and evolution of successful place partnerships. Evolving and resilient local partnership models can hopefully provide the framework for the ongoing reimagining and revitalisation of our town and city centres.  Community empowerment and close working relations with local authorities, backed by mentored organisational development, have been strengths of the Task Force’s focus that I would like to be prominent in its legacy. My burning question now, is how will this foundation of learning be built-on? Contrary to myths proported in so many 'succession strategies', my experience is that the impacts of even the most successful initiatives, will wain without some continuity or championing of the cause. I would like to see some 'flesh put on the bones' of what a successor approach might involve. After all, it is no less than we would expect from a resiliant, local partnership! #towncentres #highstreets #citycentres #revitalisation #communityempowerment #localleadership #learning #succession

We have seen a lot of benefits since converting the streetlights in Memphis to LED. MLGW's Director of Electric Construction Brad Gates spoke as a panelist on the May 28 webinar Transforming Urban Infrastructure: Public Safety, Equity and Environment.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this report from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. Having spent over 20 years in the field of 'public innovation', I know firsthand how challenging it can be to bring large-scale projects to fruition. What stands out to me is the incredible impact the Bloomberg Center is making by empowering communities to transform their neighborhoods. The skills they’re fostering—like #capacitybuilding, #dataanalysis, genuine #communityengagement, and the application of #digitaltools—might not always make headlines, but they are the foundation of meaningful, equitable, and lasting change. #economicdevelopment #communitydevelopment #highereducation #publicpolicy #publicprivatepartnership

Lately, my friends and I have been having conversations about ideas we’ve been aware of for a while, especially regarding how we can build fairer and more #sustainable systems. As we learned more, a few key concepts have stood out as important for reshaping our economies. #Economic #Democracy - giving more control over resources to communities, so the benefits are shared more widely instead of being concentrated in the hands of a few. #Cooperative Ownership - encouraging shared ownership of businesses and other commercial entities, making sure wealth is distributed more fairly. Decentralised Planning - allowing local communities to manage resources and set priorities that meet their specific needs. One such concept we aim to explore is #PROUT (Progressive Utilization Theory), which focuses on fair and efficient use of resources, cooperation over competition, and local planning for community well-being. To dive deeper into these ideas, we are organising a reading group in #Dublin on 9th November from 18:00 to 19:30 in Mud Island Community Garden, North Strand, Dublin 3. It’s a great opportunity in a great environment, to discuss these concepts and consider how they can be applied in our communities. If you’re interested in these ideas and want to be a part of this reading group, you can attend in person, it is a free event and only limited seats (registration link below). If can't make it and would like to chat about these ideas or would like more details, feel free to reach out to me! https://lnkd.in/ddGk_MzH

Stephen Hilton writes about being a creative bureaucrat ahead of our Bristol Ideas creative bureaucracy day, 23 April 2024. 'It seems evident that the era of small, incremental changes has passed. Instead, substantial “paradigm-level” shifts are now imperative to shield communities from the harmful effects of excessively extractive, market-driven approaches that pervade all aspects of life and imperil the planet. 'Transitioning towards a public-commons partnership model of governance is essential, avoiding the commodification of public services and resources. This shift underscores the necessity of fostering collaborative relationships between the public sector, communities, and civil society. By embracing this approach, local authorities can re-prioritise citizens’ long-term well-being. Through co-investment in community-led initiatives, participatory decision-making processes, and resource-sharing, communities are empowered to co-create solutions tailored to their unique needs. This strategy aims to amplify impact by nurturing interconnected networks of locally-driven approaches, departing from traditional top-down solutions that struggle to adapt to the swiftly changing landscape.' Read more. Other speakers include: Robyn Bennett Sir Geoff Mulgan Imandeep Kaur Poku Pipim Osei FRSA Cleo Lake Gabriella Gomez-Mont Nikki Linsell Melissa Mean Idoia Postigo Fuentes Johanna Sieben Sophie Howe.