Learning communities devote energy to discover & rediscover their place and how to honour it. A central purpose is to devise ways of bringing learning and people together, in order to develop the social and economic fabric of the community.
Extending beyond the traditional definition of health, wellness focuses on achieving physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. Walking is the best way to help acheive wellness and improve our quality of life by connecting us with others, enhancing positive moods, relieving stress, aiding sleep & improving cognitive performance. Promote wellness by designing walkable communities and promote walking.
Our stock of social capital – the glue that binds us together, has plummeted, impoverishing our lives & communities. We need to reconnect with family, friends, neighbours, and our democratic structures. Develop social spaces that draw people together, enhancing social cohesion.
Communities can draw upon social capital and civic engagement to provide a myriad of supports that enhance social safety nets and drive community building via a philosophy of sharing & caring. Through democratic participation in community building we can reduce inequality & create inclusive societies.
Cultural planning is essential to the development of a vibrant, innovative and prosperous community. We need to capture and learn the stories of our place that shape our identity while celebrating our rich and diverse natural & cultural heritage. Through festivals, events and venues it is fundamentally important to support our creativity industries and developing a greater appreciation for, and participation in the arts.
Envision a just and vibrant local food system that creates economic opportunties, nurtures a healthy food culture, celebrates diversity and ensures that nutritious food is accessible to everyone.
Promote a wildly diverse mix of alternative housing types and living arrangements, support affordable housing & social housing. Promote green building techniques and site planning to develop appropriate shelter for a post carbon future.
Increase the diversity of local economies and the degree of local ownership that equitably distributes the benefits and the duties.Promote reinvestment in the local community.
Mix land-uses, increase density and create walkable communities that provides access to transit. Create an ecological infrastructure based on living systems that protects water, & reduces waste, materials & energy.
Seek energy security by generating energy via distributed renewable sources. Through good design, conservation and careful use meet fundamental needs and provide the same level of service with two to ten times less resource use.
Learning Communities