Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation’s Post

The key factors in ensuring sustainable community development are food security, access to clean water, resilient infrastructure, and empowering the members to adequately participate in building the economy. Using these parameters, we can identify which communities require urgent attention. #communitydevelopment

Community development encompasses a multifaceted approach that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of a small village to the broader concept of an area where fundamental needs are sustainably and adequately met. Central to this vision is sustainable infrastructure, which empowers communities to thrive within a framework that supports long-term viability and resilience. To ensure that the economic state of a community is stable, it is key to empower the youth, who represent the future and can drive forward innovation and progress. Providing opportunities and structures that propel the youth and include minorities, such as women, ensures holistic community development. Moreover, ensuring a stable source of food is indispensable, as it not only addresses basic nutritional requirements but also contributes to the economic and social health of the community. Food security and access to clean water influence a shift from poverty to a higher quality of life for individuals. Adapting to these aspirational changes is seldom easy, requiring collective commitment and incremental efforts; it takes each individual's participation to incite a revolutionary shift in understanding what community truly embodies. Recognizing that community development is defined by its ability to meet the diverse and evolving needs of its members rather than the confines of a geographical location is the foundation of creating communities that are robust, adaptable, and forward-looking. #communitydevelopment

Community engagement In the dynamic landscape of UK real estate, community engagement isn't just a buzzword—it's a cornerstone of responsible development. Studies show that communities with high levels of engagement and social cohesion enjoy better health outcomes and economic resilience. For instance, a recent survey by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence highlighted that developments with active community involvement see an average increase of up to 7% in property values. From listening to local voices to creating spaces that serve diverse needs, fostering strong community ties is at the heart of our projects. Whether it's through inclusive design workshops or partnerships with local organizations, we're committed to building more than structures; we're nurturing vibrant communities. Let's continue this journey together, shaping spaces where everyone feels heard, valued, and at home.

An inclusive city is one where everyone can thrive regardless of their abilities. After the Accessible British Columbia Act went into effect in September 2022, Urban Matters worked closely with the District of West Vancouver to usher this systems change into their community. Through thorough community engagement, we identified six actionable areas centered around the principle “nothing about us, without us”—emphasizing that accessibility work must be done in collaboration with the people it most directly affects. Resulting suggestions range from fostering more inclusive cultural attitudes to improving the public realm and built environment. Read more about our recent projects at https://lnkd.in/gK8Y6y6P #westvancouver #socialplanning #accessibilitymatters #accessiblebc

"We're fortunate in the fact that with the rent-roll from the Enterprise Centre, we're using the profit from that to put it back into the community. And we've been very successful at that." Part of the back story to the recent opening of the new Enterprise Hub in Ballinasloe, in the words of Seamus Duffy, Chairman of Ballinasloe Area Community Development Ltd (BACD). The newly opened Enterprise Hub in former high street bank premises, provides space for 45 jobs in the town centre, adding to the 180 employees of 28 companies already based in BACD’s fully-let Enterprise Centre on the edge of town. As BACD Manager Lyn Donnelly explains in my video about "being back in Ballinasloe", the benefits from the Hub will spread beyond the businesses hosted, to those in the surrounding streets too: "Our main aim will be to obviously support those businesses, but also it's going to be a massive spin-off for the other businesses in the town centre as well." Good communication is key to making people feel involved and giving them a strengthened pride in place. In Ballinasloe this is exemplified by the bi-monthly publication and distribution of the 64-page, self-financing, colour Ballinasloe Life magazine. As you can hear from our chat in the town square with the Ballinasloe Life’s Editor-in-Chief, Colm Croffy, the town’s very own “inflight magazine” serves as a barometer for people’s sense of place and individual affinity with the town. On our walk-about in Ballinasloe town centre, Seamus elaborated on how the evolution of a “town team” and projects born-out of The People & Places Partnership Ltd. baseline survey work and action plan, operated in a cascading way through project sub-groups and 250-300 volunteers that could be called upon to help with delivery. Certainly, in our work supporting the town team, we found that an early success was a measurable increase in stakeholder confidence and belief across the town. Though they would never be heard to say it, much of BACD's success -at least over the last 15 years- is down to the leadership, effectiveness and inspiration provided by Seamus, Lyn and Colm. To coin a phrase, it's always about the people and the place!

Digital transformation represents a fundamental shift in how housing services leverage technology to meet the evolving needs of residents and communities. This transformation is reshaping the landscape of housing and community development, ushering in an era of efficiency, accessibility, and innovation. Read more... ➡ https://lnkd.in/gNeg43Ak #nidhousinghq #digitaltransformation #community #development

Community engagement Furthermore, community engagement not only enhances property values but also fosters a sense of belonging and social connectedness. According to a report by the Office for National Statistics, neighbourhoods with strong community ties experience lower crime rates and higher levels of well-being among residents. Additionally, a study by the University of Warwick found that every 10% increase in community cohesion is associated with a 3.5% increase in local economic growth. By actively involving local stakeholders in the development process, we not only create spaces that meet their needs but also contribute to the overall resilience and prosperity of the community. Through initiatives like inclusive design workshops and partnerships with local organizations, we're not just constructing buildings; we're nurturing vibrant, sustainable communities where everyone feels heard, valued, and at home.

Ralegan Siddhi and its inspiring leader, Anna Hazare: Visit to Ralegan Siddhi: A Model of Community Development During our study tour, we had the opportunity to visit Ralegan Siddhi, a village that stands as a testament to the power of community involvement, largely due to the efforts of Mr. Anna Hazare. His vision has transformed the village through various initiatives driven by public participation. Key Contributions: -Community Participation: Citizens actively participated in building the school through collective labor. -Support for Students: Establishment of a hostel for underprivileged students to prevent dropouts. -100% Alcohol Ban: Successful implementation of complete prohibition to promote a healthier environment. -Water Conservation Initiatives: Various projects aimed at improving access to clean water for the village. Anna Hazare serves as a significant inspiration for many youths, instilling a sense of purpose and energy to work towards community development. Key Insights: 1. Strength through Struggle: Challenges are essential for growth; just as stone must endure blows to become a sculpture, we too must embrace our struggles to find shape and purpose. 2. Community Empowerment: Collective effort can bring about remarkable changes and improve the quality of life in the community. 3. Inspiration for Action: Seeing real-world examples encourages individuals to take initiative and contribute to societal progress. Ralegan Siddhi is a brilliant example of how determination and teamwork can lead to sustainable development. Let us draw inspiration from this village and work towards a better future!

A great piece by Meg Holden and Meridith Sones was published in the Tyee today, describing how the City's lack of community engagement can perpetuate disadvantages in neighbourhoods. Within the article, there is a link to the "South Vancouver and Marpole Neighbourhood Equity Report" done Meg Holden, Caislin Firth, PhD MPH and and Farina Fassihi also worth reading, for those interested in digging more deeply into the analysis. https://lnkd.in/gQSSBnUV

📣 A wonderful funding opportunity from Bloomberg Philanthropies for #artists involved in #public #arts! 💰 The #art #grant application is open to cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States with populations of 50,000 or more. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2025.  🎨 While this exciting #AsphaltArtInitiative focuses on improving pedestrian safety, revitalizing public spaces, and fostering community engagement through #streetart, why not explore using earth-friendly, #sustainable materials as you plan your project? 🌎 Consider #ecofriendly paints (perhaps to cool the earth?), recycled or locally sourced materials, and designs that incorporate greenery or improve storm-water management. These small choices can make a big #environmental #impact while enhancing #urbanspaces. It’s a wonderful way to unite #art, #community, and #sustainability, making your project not only beautiful but also beneficial to the planet. #art4development #communityart #ecoart #ecoarts #ecoartists #sustainableart #sustainableartist