Urban Environment

One of the major themes that is dominant in academic literature and policy publications is the need for a more holistic, overall approach to the urban environment, in order to provide a framework for appropriate decision making. Two such approaches that are repeatedly discussion in literature, but which still remain uncertain, are those of sustainable development and the participation of communities. Other approaches that are present in literature, but are not afforded as much attention, are those of self-sufficiency, urban metabolism, and the ecological footprint.

Studies show that whilst community involvement is vital to successful regeneration, improvements are needed as to how this is done. Communities need help and training to understand processes and contribute effectively to developments. Additionally, as the term community is often used in public policy as it conveys connotations of empathy and localness and harnesses a new relationship between state and society; one of partnership and shared responsibility, but there in fact exist many complications with term.

Communities are no longer simply territorially based and it is possible to belong to more than one community. Additionally, communities exclude those who are not classed as a member of the community, and the involvement of communities is based on the premise that there is internal cohesion within the community, which is not always the case.

In fact, communities that are at war with themselves, and are therefore unlikely to partake in community projects, are usually communities that are deprived materially and socially. A US report found that 75% home ownership in an area is required to create cohesive communities as a sense of investment in a neighbourhood is needed for community spirit. There are therefore also issues of equity caught up with the use of community involvement as a means by which to drive the decision making process.

Source: Oxford Univ Environment Change Institute, Research project, www.eci.ox.ac.uk
http://www.rcep.org.uk/urban/literaturereview.pdf