Community Resilience
Cohesive communities are forming (international trend)
There is growing evidence that (Western) communities are become more aware of the need to draw together. There is no proof as to why, however speculation includes the shock of the World Trade Centre attack, the perceived threat of global climate change, and the concern over the limit to the world's oil supplies. No doubt the current international economic situation will also contribute to an increased need to become more self-sufficient.
New Zealand lags behind the rest of the world in this movement but is quickly playing catch-up.
(2007) Building cohesive communities: The crucial role of the new local performance framework. UK: Department for Communities and Local Government.
Sustainability
This is a huge topic - but we need to have signifcant discussions and debate around this area. Specifically what impact planning/development has on the environment and how this feeds into the democratic process (how poeple can become involved in the planning process or make their voice heard in order to retain a green space or park in the face of development).
Loose networks are forming
Loose networks in communities are networks of people who have a loose association with one-another. These networks are important not so much in what they provide directly, but what they provide when called upon. For example, if a person required someone to look after their pet whilst away for a week they would find it easier to get help as a member of loose network, because they would know a person who knows a person etc.
Loose networks are an important ingerdient for community resilience. This is "forming up" with the creation of the Transition Town networks around the world. New Zealand's TT network is growing rapidly. www.transitiontowns.org.nz
