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Understanding and applying the concept of innovative communities, to achieve sustainable development | Sustainable Development: Innovative Communities
The Four Visions of an Innovative Community
There are four essential visions in the innovative communities approach:
- Building on people's energy and creativity at all levels, requiring empowerment and building the capacity of people in households and communities to take action, and applying technologies that respond to actual needs.
- Holistic approach, acknowledging basic human needs, and relating it to human development, the elimination of poverty, environmental sustainability and the integrated management of environmental resources.
- Committed and compassionate leadership and good governance , changing long-accustomed roles, leading to new responsibilities of authorities and institutions to support households and communities in the management of their local environment, and in being accountable to users as clients.
- Synergy among all partners, encouraging shared commitment among users, politicians and professionals; requiring people within the community to combine technical expertise with an ability to work with users and politicians and with other related sectors.
What can an Innovative Community do?
he diagram illustrates the characteristics of an Innovative Community. At the center is a green circle labeled Innovative Community, from which nine arrows radiate outward, each representing a defining feature or attribute.
- Strong identity and clear forward-looking vision - The community has a shared sense of purpose and direction.
- Encourage and respect diversity within the community's homogeneity - It values both shared identity and individual differences.
- Possess broad localized intellectual capacity - The community draws upon diverse local knowledge and expertise.
- Awareness and decision-making capacity - It is informed, reflective, and capable of making sound collective choices.
- Strong collaborative linkages and networks - Partnerships and relationships are fostered within and beyond the community.
- Understanding the available local natural and man-made resources - The community knows how to effectively utilize its assets.
- Reflect and articulate desires, needs, and wishes - It can clearly express its collective aspirations.
- Initiate/sustain political dialogue at the city and national levels ? It engages actively in governance and policy discussions.
- Look at communities as a part of the local ecosystem - It understands its interconnectedness within broader environmental and social systems.
Together, these characteristics define a community that not only fosters innovation but also sustains it through participatory, informed, and collaborative processes.
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