Future Communities

Future Communities

Seminar 1: Wellbeing and belonging in new communities

1 October 2010

Slide 2 The Young Foundation 2010


Designing in social sustainability

•New thinkpiece•Practitioner toolkit


New partnership with Malmö, Sweden

Exploring potential partnerships in China, Thailand & Australia


What makes new cities and communities socially sustainable?

SIX in the City, Singapore

Today’s discussion

• What do we mean by belonging and wellbeing?

• Why do they matter in new communities?• What are the practical implications for

our work?

Social infrastructu

reSocial &

cultural life

Voice & influence

Space to grow


•Need for services and support, not just buildings•Early provision is crucial•Lack of social infrastructure affects community wellbeing•Identity and reputation

Social infrastructure


Voice & influence• Giving voice and influence at the planning stage

• Shaping opportunities for influence

• Maintaining structures and initiatives for the long term


Space to grow• New communities evolve slowly as social networks develop & populations age & shift• Master-planning needs to be flexible and adaptable• New communities need flexible use of land & buildings• Informal spaces & temporary uses should be encouraged• Local engagement & governance structures also need time to develop


• Community identity & belonging• Tolerance, respect, engagement • Pro-social behaviour• Good design supporting social life

Social and cultural life

What makes us feel we belong?NationalGovernance of Britain• National identity and

shared values – i.e. liberal, secular, democratic

Collective• Wider networks – ‘Familiar

strangers’ • Where you are versus

where you are from • Profession/ethnicity/

religion/social class/school/university

Individual• Family/ Friends• Hometown – where you’re

from

NationalShared values and national identity

Collectiveneighbourhood/ local social

institutions

IndividualBelonging as

identity/ family/ where you're from

Feedback circuits

Family&friends

Power&politics

Economy

Religion and voluntary orgs

Home, neighbourhood &

physical environment


•Contact between neighbours and neighbourhood empowerment has the potential to improve resident wellbeing

• Wellbeing focus in community engagement policies, spatial planning and new housing developments, would place greater emphasis on social networks and belonging

The myth of neighbourliness?


Ideal neighbouring has three common aspects• Awareness of

situation of other residents

• Respect for their privacy

• Readiness to take action if help is needed

Modern-day neighbouring


Why belonging matters

•Takes time for local social networks to evolve•Often tensions between newly arrived and established communities•Shapes experience of public realm, perceptions of safety and fear of crime•Issues for stability, housing management•People that can leave, will leave


“… where these facilities were already in place when people began to arrive, the community came together and networks were formed more easily.”

CLG, New Towns Review, 2006


“ … planning for hard infrastructure alone would never build a community … it would only be done by a matrix of formal and informal opportunities or supported activities.”

Cambridgeshire PCT (2007)

Cambourne, New Town Blues


Three factors necessary for sense of community:

1. Length of residence2. Local character3. A shared common history

Michael Young, New Earswick

Small things matter – so does timing

Making connections – “weak ties”

• Greeters: idea from the New Towns• Micro-grants: help to get neighbourhood

activities started – toddler groups, dog socialising, exercise classes, street parties

• Places to meet: community houses, temporary spaces

• Lots and lots of information sources … newsletters, coffee mornings, hyper-local websites

Early interventions

Start to establish norms

Strengthening networks

• Timebanking: promoting mutual exchange and self sufficiency/sustainability

• Community champions: active residents who can advise and give out information to newcomers

• Local engagement opportunities – connections to power: community councils, residents associations, volunteering

• Celebrating culture: “people like me” – festivals and events

Small things matter – so does timingCommunity capacity

Building networks, local identity and opportunities

Feedback circuits

Family&friends

Power&politics

Economy

Religion and voluntary orgs

Home, neighbourhood &

physical environment


Afternoon workshop

•How are these feedback circuits working locally?•Which are the most important in your area?•Which circuits can you influence?


Saffron [email protected]

www.futurecommunitiesneveragain.wordpress.comwww.futurecommunities.net

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.futurecommunitiesneveragain.wordpress.com/

http://www.futurecommunities.net/


About the Young FoundationThe Young Foundation brings together insight, innovation and entrepreneurship to meet social needs.

We have a 55-year track record of success with ventures such as the Open University, Which?, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Healthline (the precursor of NHS Direct).

We work across the UK and internationally – carrying out research, influencing policy, creating new organisations and supporting others to do the same, often with imaginative uses of new technology.

www.youngfoundation.org

http://www.youngfoundation.org/

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Future Communities