Building Sustainable Communities

closed

The URBACT Study Building Sustainable Communities aimed to identify and address the factors contributing to the balanced and sustainable development of urban communities and to the successful tapping of the potential of deprived city neighbourhoods. A particular focus was given to the impact of mobility in the provision of services. The following main aims were outlined: >To analyse trends in mobility of population >To promote a joint reflection on issues of population mobility >To provide recommendations to improve strategic planning and responsiveness to local services It was noted that ’mobility’ can be considered in both a positive and negative sense. For those mobile persons who have a choice to move due to a life change it is positive but for those persons in vulnerable situations such as asylum seekers they are often moved with no choice. The aim of the study was to focus on these vulnerable groups. The study started by defining “what is a sustainable community?”. The following points were considered to help define this concept all of which are linked to quality of life: >Active, Inclusive and Safe >Fair for Everyone >Well Served >Well run >Environmentally sensitive >Well designed and built >Well connected >Thriving The methodology for undertaking the study was to analyse statistical data, to carry out surveys and to focus on groups of key stakeholders such as community organisations. There was a different approach in each partner area, the scale of the analysis varied for example in Berlin the focus was on two deprived neighbourhoods. The availability of data at the same level varied and the perspective also varied, in Berlin the focus was on residents whereas in London and Brussels the focus was more on the service provider.

Medium