https://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Flor+AvelinoUrban Arena Wiki - User contributions [en]2026-06-14T21:04:48ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.37.2https://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Right_to_housing&diff=2273Right to housing2020-06-16T21:59:46Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>The right to housing indicates the right of all individuals to have access to adequate shelter.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions. <br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Right to housing advocates that anyone should be provided with access to housing. As Michalis Goudis from [http://www.housingeurope.eu/ Housing Europe] stated “when comes to just and sustainable cities, housing is the first topic that needs to be addressed. To solve social exclusion first, you have to give people a roof, then you think about the rest. If you see it as a ladder, housing is the very first step”. On paper, right to housing is granted by several international and European laws. The network [http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights Housing Right Watch], categorizes these laws into three clusters: United Nations housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/un-housing-rights </ref>, Council of Europe housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/council-europe-housing-rights </ref> and EU housing rights <ref>http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights </ref>. In addition, each European country has its national laws on housing <ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/content/country-info </ref>. The EU funded project [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW], for instance, explored and summarized all EU member states laws to inform citizens about their rights as tenants. If on the one hand housing can be provided through formal procedures (e.g. existing law enforcement), on the other hand there are multiple informal practices (e.g. squatting vacant spaces) which attempt to provide shelter. There are numerous existing initiatives where citizens, social movements and non-governmental organizations act to fill the gaps of a state unable to fully enforce right to housing.<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
These a three examples of EU-fundend projects concerning the right to housing. <br />
<br />
Anti-gentrification toolkit ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/188216/brief/en AGAPE] 2014-2016): This approach responds to the increasing episodes of evictions, speculation and privatization on the urban European housing market. The anti-gentrification toolkit for policy makers and activists collects anti-eviction, anti-speculative, anti-privatization practices performed mainly in Southern European cities. For instance, tenants union lobbying has proved to be a successful practice in mitigating evictions. Similarly, social centers and housing movements have resisted displacement by squatting and re-claiming the right to use vacant urban spaces.<br />
<br />
Tenancy and housing law ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW] 2012-2015): In a number of cases around Europe national tenancy and housing law ensures citizens with housing rights. However, it often occurs that these laws are not enforced because of the inaccessible language or tenant’s lack of knowledge. The project TENLAW has developed an accessible brochure “My right as a tenant in EU” to inform citizens about their rights. Existing housing law is a legal and effective approach for citizens to see their right to housing respected. However, it might also be a limited one given that the legal system is not always a just one. <br />
<br />
Household resilience ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/111253/brief/en RESCuE] 2014-2017): A large number of vulnerable households in Europe has proven to be successful in mitigating poverty through self-initiatives which replace the absence of government’s support. Networks such as family, friends, church and other religious associations, schools, urban gardening, foodbanks, cultural events (and the list is still long and can be viewed on [http://rescueproject.net/exhibition/ RESCuE online exhibition] can strengthen household resilience against poverty. The project RESCuE was able to prove that housing is a fundamental aspect from which a great number of household resilience actions can be started or can take place.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The right to housing addresses living conditions of vulnerable urban citizens which either have no access to housing or no access to adequate housing. As such, the right to housing has an inherent strong focus on social justice as the end goal is to provide vulnerable citizens with decent living standards, ultimately reducing the gap with wealthier classes who are able to fulfil their needs. The underlying message is that social justice can be achieved through formal government interventions. When such interventions are lacking, governments risk to create socially unjust dynamics: lack of housing, lack of affordable-habitable-safe housing, gentrification, evictions and privatisation of the public urban space.<br />
<br />
Approaches aimed at granting the right to housing do not necessarily seek to achieve environmental sustainability as the end goal. Yet, sustainability proves to go hand in hand with the pursuit of social justice when comes to provide everyone with a home. In urban areas, for instance, speculation and privatization often occur with the development of new city districts which require extensive input of natural capital; whereas most housing movements (e.g. housing for all) advocate for the reuse (and when needed the renovation) of existing vacant spaces as a solution to allocate social vulnerable citizens. In this sense, there is no need for further natural resources input, but rather the desire to “recycle” existing vacant spaces or revisit the way in which existing housing is unjustly tenured on the free market. There is also a considerable amount of research on the drivers of injustice that can directly or indirectly cause housing inequalities. Green gentrification, for instance, suggest hoe urban regreening or re-naturing in distressed neighborhoods can contribute to residents’ exclusion, marginalization, and displacement. [http://www.bcnuej.org/projects/greenlulus/ GREENLULUS] (Green Locally Unwanted Land Uses) by [http://www.bcnuej.org/ Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability] stands as a unique project that explores if, and to what extent, greener cities are less racially and socially equitable or whether greening projects tend to increase environmental inequalities.<br />
<br />
Overall, approaches to achieve right to housing for all can be implemented sustainably or can directly promote sustainability. The end goal, however, remains achieving social justice.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
Homelessness is the most severe form of neglection of the right to housing. However, as Michalis Goudis points out “nowadays professionals who cover fundamental roles in our urban centers, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to live in the cities where they work because of the high prices”. As the private market owes an increasing number of housing stocks, it becomes harder for public institutions to enforce the right to housing by, for instance, keep rent prices affordable. This also has an impact on social and public housing as co-operatives or local municipalities themselves struggle to create housing opportunities for vulnerable citizens because of the large dominance of real estate market on urban housing stock. Pilar Garrido, lectures in Constitutional and Autonomous Community Law at the UPV/EHU University of the Basque Country, talks about the need for a “change of paradigm” (Garrido, 2012) <ref> https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/127089-the-effective-exercising-of-the-right-to-housing-is-calling-for-a-new-relationship-between-ho/en </ref>. A new paradigm is needed where all individuals and families, with no discrimination, have access to affordable, habitable and safe housing and where they are protected from evictions.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
On a conceptual level, right to housing challenges the model of neoliberal economy which seeks to reduce government spending for public purposes (e.g. social and public housing) in favor of private sector interventions. The concept of "housing for all" is in inherent conflict with the ebbs and flows of a speculative neoliberal market. To challenge this, does not necessarily mean to abolish individuals’ and companies’ right to property, it rather puts pressure on public institutions to intervene and redefine the rules and boundaries under which the housing market operates.The increasing number of social movements demanding action in this direction indicates that the transformative potential of public institutions in very high (see for instance Berlin protests in April 2019 again rise in rent prices<ref> https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47839821 </ref>).<br />
Beside public institutions, there are many non-governmental actors which in a way or another try to grant vulnerable citizens the right housing. These are housing movements, churches, charity associations, unions, cooperatives, family and friend’s networks, and NGOs. These informal actors seek to provide housing based on a solidarity alternative view, which is opposing the dominant neoliberal and capitalist logic of providing housing services for profits. An example is the [https://moba.coop/ Moba cooperative], further explained in the next section. See also [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Illustration of approach==<br />
'''Cooperatives'''<br />
<br />
The nature of housing cooperatives varies greatly across Europe, for this reason one cannot easily generalize on the role and the work they do. An interesting network of housing cooperatives which shares a similar model is the [https://moba.coop/ MOBA Housing Cooperative Network], located across eastern and southern Europe. Their final goal is to make housing more affordable and accessible to poorer residents. Their strength lies in holding responsibility for all processes involving the properties (e.g. contract, payment, construction works...). As they explained, the model "is centered around a cooperative of inhabitants that collectively develops, finances, maintains and operates a multi-apartment building. Because it controls the entire trajectory (and does not need to make profit), the resulting apartments are much more affordable for the inhabitants”.<ref> https://moba.coop/ </ref><br />
<br />
'''Social housing'''<br />
<br />
Across Europe, social housing works in a number of different ways, it can be either provided by public institutions or by the private sector. Similarly, access to housing changes from country to country. In Sweden and Denmark, for instance, all citizens can apply for social housing, whereas in countries like Italy, citizens must fulfil certain requirements. In line with this, Denmark's social housing makes up 19% of their stock market, while Italy's social housing only represents 5% of the total housing market. A on-point review of Europe's social housing situation was published by Housing Europe in 2012 and can be read [http://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-105/the-housing-europe-review-2012 here]. <br />
<br />
Other solutions to ensure right to housing go into the direction of [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
''Links''<br />
*European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and to the City: https://housingnotprofit.org/<br />
*The Shift #Right2Housing: https://www.make-the-shift.org/<br />
*Rent Strike 2020: https://thenewinquiry.com/rent-strike-2020/<br />
*Right to the City Alliance - Fighting for democracy, justice, and sustainability in our cities: https://righttothecity.org/<br />
*Homes for all: https://homesforall.org/<br />
<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
*Colau, A., & Alemany, A. (2014). Mortgaged Lives: From the housing bubble to the right to housing. Journal of Aesthetics & Protest Press. https://doi.org/https://www.joaap.org/press/pah/mortgagedlives.pdf<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). From Occupying Plazas to Recuperating Housing: Insurgent Practices in Spain. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 41(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.12386<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). Creating political subjects: Collective knowledge and action to enact housing rights in Spain | Community Development Journal | Oxford Academic. Community Development Journal, 52(3), 421–435. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsx025<br />
*García-Lamarca, M., & Kaika, M. (2016). ‘Mortgaged lives’: The biopolitics of debt and housing financialisation. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 41(3), 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12126<br />
*Roy, A., & Malson, H. (Eds.). (2019). Housing justice in unequal cities. Institute on Inequality and Democracy. https://doi.org/https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10141152<br />
*Anguelovski, I., Connolly, J. J., Garcia-Lamarca, M., Cole, H., & Pearsall, H. (2019). New scholarly pathways on green gentrification: What does the urban ‘green turn’ mean and where is it going? Progress in Human Geography, 43(6), 1064–1086. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132518803799<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Right to housing]]<br />
[[Category: Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]]<br />
[[Category: Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
[[Category: Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
[[Category: TENLAW]]<br />
[[Category: MOBA Cooperative]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Right_to_housing&diff=2272Right to housing2020-06-16T21:59:01Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>The right to housing indicates the right of all individuals to have access to adequate shelter.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions. <br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Right to housing advocates that anyone should be provided with access to housing. As Michalis Goudis from [http://www.housingeurope.eu/ Housing Europe] stated “when comes to just and sustainable cities, housing is the first topic that needs to be addressed. To solve social exclusion first, you have to give people a roof, then you think about the rest. If you see it as a ladder, housing is the very first step”. On paper, right to housing is granted by several international and European laws. The network [http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights Housing Right Watch], categorizes these laws into three clusters: United Nations housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/un-housing-rights </ref>, Council of Europe housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/council-europe-housing-rights </ref> and EU housing rights <ref>http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights </ref>. In addition, each European country has its national laws on housing <ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/content/country-info </ref>. The EU funded project [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW], for instance, explored and summarized all EU member states laws to inform citizens about their rights as tenants. If on the one hand housing can be provided through formal procedures (e.g. existing law enforcement), on the other hand there are multiple informal practices (e.g. squatting vacant spaces) which attempt to provide shelter. There are numerous existing initiatives where citizens, social movements and non-governmental organizations act to fill the gaps of a state unable to fully enforce right to housing.<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
These a three examples of EU-fundend projects concerning the right to housing. <br />
<br />
Anti-gentrification toolkit ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/188216/brief/en AGAPE] 2014-2016): This approach responds to the increasing episodes of evictions, speculation and privatization on the urban European housing market. The anti-gentrification toolkit for policy makers and activists collects anti-eviction, anti-speculative, anti-privatization practices performed mainly in Southern European cities. For instance, tenants union lobbying has proved to be a successful practice in mitigating evictions. Similarly, social centers and housing movements have resisted displacement by squatting and re-claiming the right to use vacant urban spaces.<br />
<br />
Tenancy and housing law ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW] 2012-2015): In a number of cases around Europe national tenancy and housing law ensures citizens with housing rights. However, it often occurs that these laws are not enforced because of the inaccessible language or tenant’s lack of knowledge. The project TENLAW has developed an accessible brochure “My right as a tenant in EU” to inform citizens about their rights. Existing housing law is a legal and effective approach for citizens to see their right to housing respected. However, it might also be a limited one given that the legal system is not always a just one. <br />
<br />
Household resilience ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/111253/brief/en RESCuE] 2014-2017): A large number of vulnerable households in Europe has proven to be successful in mitigating poverty through self-initiatives which replace the absence of government’s support. Networks such as family, friends, church and other religious associations, schools, urban gardening, foodbanks, cultural events (and the list is still long and can be viewed on [http://rescueproject.net/exhibition/ RESCuE online exhibition] can strengthen household resilience against poverty. The project RESCuE was able to prove that housing is a fundamental aspect from which a great number of household resilience actions can be started or can take place.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The right to housing addresses living conditions of vulnerable urban citizens which either have no access to housing or no access to adequate housing. As such, the right to housing has an inherent strong focus on social justice as the end goal is to provide vulnerable citizens with decent living standards, ultimately reducing the gap with wealthier classes who are able to fulfil their needs. The underlying message is that social justice can be achieved through formal government interventions. When such interventions are lacking, governments risk to create socially unjust dynamics: lack of housing, lack of affordable-habitable-safe housing, gentrification, evictions and privatisation of the public urban space.<br />
<br />
Approaches aimed at granting the right to housing do not necessarily seek to achieve environmental sustainability as the end goal. Yet, sustainability proves to go hand in hand with the pursuit of social justice when comes to provide everyone with a home. In urban areas, for instance, speculation and privatization often occur with the development of new city districts which require extensive input of natural capital; whereas most housing movements (e.g. housing for all) advocate for the reuse (and when needed the renovation) of existing vacant spaces as a solution to allocate social vulnerable citizens. In this sense, there is no need for further natural resources input, but rather the desire to “recycle” existing vacant spaces or revisit the way in which existing housing is unjustly tenured on the free market. There is also a considerable amount of research on the drivers of injustice that can directly or indirectly cause housing inequalities. Green gentrification, for instance, suggest hoe urban regreening or re-naturing in distressed neighborhoods can contribute to residents’ exclusion, marginalization, and displacement. [http://www.bcnuej.org/projects/greenlulus/ GREENLULUS] (Green Locally Unwanted Land Uses) by [http://www.bcnuej.org/ Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability] stands as a unique project that explores if, and to what extent, greener cities are less racially and socially equitable or whether greening projects tend to increase environmental inequalities.<br />
<br />
Overall, approaches to achieve right to housing for all can be implemented sustainably or can directly promote sustainability. The end goal, however, remains achieving social justice.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
Homelessness is the most severe form of neglection of the right to housing. However, as Michalis Goudis points out “nowadays professionals who cover fundamental roles in our urban centers, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to live in the cities where they work because of the high prices”. As the private market owes an increasing number of housing stocks, it becomes harder for public institutions to enforce the right to housing by, for instance, keep rent prices affordable. This also has an impact on social and public housing as co-operatives or local municipalities themselves struggle to create housing opportunities for vulnerable citizens because of the large dominance of real estate market on urban housing stock. Pilar Garrido, lectures in Constitutional and Autonomous Community Law at the UPV/EHU University of the Basque Country, talks about the need for a “change of paradigm” (Garrido, 2012) <ref> https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/127089-the-effective-exercising-of-the-right-to-housing-is-calling-for-a-new-relationship-between-ho/en </ref>. A new paradigm is needed where all individuals and families, with no discrimination, have access to affordable, habitable and safe housing and where they are protected from evictions.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
On a conceptual level, right to housing challenges the model of neoliberal economy which seeks to reduce government spending for public purposes (e.g. social and public housing) in favor of private sector interventions. The concept of "housing for all" is in inherent conflict with the ebbs and flows of a speculative neoliberal market. To challenge this, does not necessarily mean to abolish individuals’ and companies’ right to property, it rather puts pressure on public institutions to intervene and redefine the rules and boundaries under which the housing market operates.The increasing number of social movements demanding action in this direction indicates that the transformative potential of public institutions in very high (see for instance Berlin protests in April 2019 again rise in rent prices<ref> https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47839821 </ref>).<br />
Beside public institutions, there are many non-governmental actors which in a way or another try to grant vulnerable citizens the right housing. These are housing movements, churches, charity associations, unions, cooperatives, family and friend’s networks, and NGOs. These informal actors seek to provide housing based on a solidarity alternative view, which is opposing the dominant neoliberal and capitalist logic of providing housing services for profits. An example is the [https://moba.coop/ Moba cooperative], further explained in the next section. See also [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Illustration of approach==<br />
'''Cooperatives'''<br />
<br />
The nature of housing cooperatives varies greatly across Europe, for this reason one cannot easily generalize on the role and the work they do. An interesting network of housing cooperatives which shares a similar model is the [https://moba.coop/ MOBA Housing Cooperative Network], located across eastern and southern Europe. Their final goal is to make housing more affordable and accessible to poorer residents. Their strength lies in holding responsibility for all processes involving the properties (e.g. contract, payment, construction works...). As they explained, the model "is centered around a cooperative of inhabitants that collectively develops, finances, maintains and operates a multi-apartment building. Because it controls the entire trajectory (and does not need to make profit), the resulting apartments are much more affordable for the inhabitants”.<ref> https://moba.coop/ </ref><br />
<br />
'''Social housing'''<br />
<br />
Across Europe, social housing works in a number of different ways, it can be either provided by public institutions or by the private sector. Similarly, access to housing changes from country to country. In Sweden and Denmark, for instance, all citizens can apply for social housing, whereas in countries like Italy, citizens must fulfil certain requirements. In line with this, Denmark's social housing makes up 19% of their stock market, while Italy's social housing only represents 5% of the total housing market. A on-point review of Europe's social housing situation was published by Housing Europe in 2012 and can be read [http://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-105/the-housing-europe-review-2012 here]. <br />
<br />
Other solutions to ensure right to housing go into the direction of [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
''Links''<br />
*Resources by European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and to the City: https://housingnotprofit.org/resources/brochures-booklets/<br />
*Resources by The Shift #Right2Housing: https://www.make-the-shift.org/resources/<br />
*Rent Strike 2020: https://thenewinquiry.com/rent-strike-2020/<br />
*Right to the City Alliance - Fighting for democracy, justice, and sustainability in our cities: https://righttothecity.org/<br />
*Homes for all: https://homesforall.org/<br />
<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
*Colau, A., & Alemany, A. (2014). Mortgaged Lives: From the housing bubble to the right to housing. Journal of Aesthetics & Protest Press. https://doi.org/https://www.joaap.org/press/pah/mortgagedlives.pdf<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). From Occupying Plazas to Recuperating Housing: Insurgent Practices in Spain. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 41(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.12386<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). Creating political subjects: Collective knowledge and action to enact housing rights in Spain | Community Development Journal | Oxford Academic. Community Development Journal, 52(3), 421–435. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsx025<br />
*García-Lamarca, M., & Kaika, M. (2016). ‘Mortgaged lives’: The biopolitics of debt and housing financialisation. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 41(3), 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12126<br />
*Roy, A., & Malson, H. (Eds.). (2019). Housing justice in unequal cities. Institute on Inequality and Democracy. https://doi.org/https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10141152<br />
*Anguelovski, I., Connolly, J. J., Garcia-Lamarca, M., Cole, H., & Pearsall, H. (2019). New scholarly pathways on green gentrification: What does the urban ‘green turn’ mean and where is it going? Progress in Human Geography, 43(6), 1064–1086. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132518803799<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Right to housing]]<br />
[[Category: Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]]<br />
[[Category: Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
[[Category: Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
[[Category: TENLAW]]<br />
[[Category: MOBA Cooperative]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Right_to_housing&diff=2267Right to housing2020-06-05T08:09:03Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>The right to housing indicates the right of all individuals to have access to adequate shelter.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions. <br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Right to housing advocates that anyone should be provided with access to housing. As Michalis Goudis from [http://www.housingeurope.eu/ Housing Europe] stated “when comes to just and sustainable cities, housing is the first topic that needs to be addressed. To solve social exclusion first, you have to give people a roof, then you think about the rest. If you see it as a ladder, housing is the very first step”. On paper, right to housing is granted by several international and European laws. The network [http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights Housing Right Watch], categorizes these laws into three clusters: United Nations housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/un-housing-rights </ref>, Council of Europe housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/council-europe-housing-rights </ref> and EU housing rights <ref>http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights </ref>. In addition, each European country has its national laws on housing <ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/content/country-info </ref>. The EU funded project [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW], for instance, explored and summarized all EU member states laws to inform citizens about their rights as tenants. If on the one hand housing can be provided through formal procedures (e.g. existing law enforcement), on the other hand there are multiple informal practices (e.g. squatting vacant spaces) which attempt to provide shelter. There are numerous existing initiatives where citizens, social movements and non-governmental organizations act to fill the gaps of a state unable to fully enforce right to housing.<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
These a three examples of EU-fundend projects concerning the right to housing. <br />
<br />
Anti-gentrification toolkit ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/188216/brief/en AGAPE] 2014-2016): This approach responds to the increasing episodes of evictions, speculation and privatization on the urban European housing market. The anti-gentrification toolkit for policy makers and activists collects anti-eviction, anti-speculative, anti-privatization practices performed mainly in Southern European cities. For instance, tenants union lobbying has proved to be a successful practice in mitigating evictions. Similarly, social centers and housing movements have resisted displacement by squatting and re-claiming the right to use vacant urban spaces.<br />
<br />
Tenancy and housing law ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW] 2012-2015): In a number of cases around Europe national tenancy and housing law ensures citizens with housing rights. However, it often occurs that these laws are not enforced because of the inaccessible language or tenant’s lack of knowledge. The project TENLAW has developed an accessible brochure “My right as a tenant in EU” to inform citizens about their rights. Existing housing law is a legal and effective approach for citizens to see their right to housing respected. However, it might also be a limited one given that the legal system is not always a just one. <br />
<br />
Household resilience ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/111253/brief/en RESCuE] 2014-2017): A large number of vulnerable households in Europe has proven to be successful in mitigating poverty through self-initiatives which replace the absence of government’s support. Networks such as family, friends, church and other religious associations, schools, urban gardening, foodbanks, cultural events (and the list is still long and can be viewed on [http://rescueproject.net/exhibition/ RESCuE online exhibition] can strengthen household resilience against poverty. The project RESCuE was able to prove that housing is a fundamental aspect from which a great number of household resilience actions can be started or can take place.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The right to housing addresses living conditions of vulnerable urban citizens which either have no access to housing or no access to adequate housing. As such, the right to housing has an inherent strong focus on social justice as the end goal is to provide vulnerable citizens with decent living standards, ultimately reducing the gap with wealthier classes who are able to fulfil their needs. The underlying message is that social justice can be achieved through formal government interventions. When such interventions are lacking, governments risk to create socially unjust dynamics: lack of housing, lack of affordable-habitable-safe housing, gentrification, evictions and privatisation of the public urban space.<br />
<br />
Approaches aimed at granting the right to housing do not necessarily seek to achieve environmental sustainability as the end goal. Yet, sustainability proves to go hand in hand with the pursuit of social justice when comes to provide everyone with a home. In urban areas, for instance, speculation and privatization often occur with the development of new city districts which require extensive input of natural capital; whereas most housing movements (e.g. housing for all) advocate for the reuse (and when needed the renovation) of existing vacant spaces as a solution to allocate social vulnerable citizens. In this sense, there is no need for further natural resources input, but rather the desire to “recycle” existing vacant spaces or revisit the way in which existing housing is unjustly tenured on the free market. There is also a considerable amount of research on the drivers of injustice that can directly or indirectly cause housing inequalities. Green gentrification, for instance, suggest hoe urban regreening or re-naturing in distressed neighborhoods can contribute to residents’ exclusion, marginalization, and displacement. [http://www.bcnuej.org/projects/greenlulus/ GREENLULUS] (Green Locally Unwanted Land Uses) by [http://www.bcnuej.org/ Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability] stands as a unique project that explores if, and to what extent, greener cities are less racially and socially equitable or whether greening projects tend to increase environmental inequalities.<br />
<br />
Overall, approaches to achieve right to housing for all can be implemented sustainably or can directly promote sustainability. The end goal, however, remains achieving social justice.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
Homelessness is the most severe form of neglection of the right to housing. However, as Michalis Goudis points out “nowadays professionals who cover fundamental roles in our urban centers, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to live in the cities where they work because of the high prices”. As the private market owes an increasing number of housing stocks, it becomes harder for public institutions to enforce the right to housing by, for instance, keep rent prices affordable. This also has an impact on social and public housing as co-operatives or local municipalities themselves struggle to create housing opportunities for vulnerable citizens because of the large dominance of real estate market on urban housing stock. Pilar Garrido, lectures in Constitutional and Autonomous Community Law at the UPV/EHU University of the Basque Country, talks about the need for a “change of paradigm” (Garrido, 2012) <ref> https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/127089-the-effective-exercising-of-the-right-to-housing-is-calling-for-a-new-relationship-between-ho/en </ref>. A new paradigm is needed where all individuals and families, with no discrimination, have access to affordable, habitable and safe housing and where they are protected from evictions.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
On a conceptual level, right to housing challenges the model of neoliberal economy which seeks to reduce government spending for public purposes (e.g. social and public housing) in favor of private sector interventions. The concept of "housing for all" is in inherent conflict with the ebbs and flows of a speculative neoliberal market. To challenge this, does not necessarily mean to abolish individuals’ and companies’ right to property, it rather puts pressure on public institutions to intervene and redefine the rules and boundaries under which the housing market operates.The increasing number of social movements demanding action in this direction indicates that the transformative potential of public institutions in very high (see for instance Berlin protests in April 2019 again rise in rent prices<ref> https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47839821 </ref>).<br />
Beside public institutions, there are many non-governmental actors which in a way or another try to grant vulnerable citizens the right housing. These are housing movements, churches, charity associations, unions, cooperatives, family and friend’s networks, and NGOs. These informal actors seek to provide housing based on a solidarity alternative view, which is opposing the dominant neoliberal and capitalist logic of providing housing services for profits. An example is the [https://moba.coop/ Moba cooperative], further explained in the next section. See also [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Illustration of approach==<br />
'''Cooperatives'''<br />
<br />
The nature of housing cooperatives varies greatly across Europe, for this reason one cannot easily generalize on the role and the work they do. An interesting network of housing cooperatives which shares a similar model is the [https://moba.coop/ MOBA Housing Cooperative Network], located across eastern and southern Europe. Their final goal is to make housing more affordable and accessible to poorer residents. Their strength lies in holding responsibility for all processes involving the properties (e.g. contract, payment, construction works...). As they explained, the model "is centered around a cooperative of inhabitants that collectively develops, finances, maintains and operates a multi-apartment building. Because it controls the entire trajectory (and does not need to make profit), the resulting apartments are much more affordable for the inhabitants”.<ref> https://moba.coop/ </ref><br />
<br />
'''Social housing'''<br />
<br />
Across Europe, social housing works in a number of different ways, it can be either provided by public institutions or by the private sector. Similarly, access to housing changes from country to country. In Sweden and Denmark, for instance, all citizens can apply for social housing, whereas in countries like Italy, citizens must fulfil certain requirements. In line with this, Denmark's social housing makes up 19% of their stock market, while Italy's social housing only represents 5% of the total housing market. A on-point review of Europe's social housing situation was published by Housing Europe in 2012 and can be read [http://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-105/the-housing-europe-review-2012 here]. <br />
<br />
Other solutions to ensure right to housing go into the direction of [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
''Links''<br />
*Resources by European Action Coalition for the Right to Housing and to the City: https://housingnotprofit.org/resources/brochures-booklets/<br />
*Resources by The Shift #Right2Housing: https://www.make-the-shift.org/resources/<br />
*Rent Strike 2020: https://thenewinquiry.com/rent-strike-2020/<br />
*Right to the City Alliance - Fighting for democracy, justice, and sustainability in our cities: https://righttothecity.org/<br />
*Homes for all: https://homesforall.org/<br />
*The Shift Right2Housing movement: https://www.make-the-shift.org/<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
*Colau, A., & Alemany, A. (2014). Mortgaged Lives: From the housing bubble to the right to housing. Journal of Aesthetics & Protest Press. https://doi.org/https://www.joaap.org/press/pah/mortgagedlives.pdf<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). From Occupying Plazas to Recuperating Housing: Insurgent Practices in Spain. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 41(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.12386<br />
*García-Lamarca, M. (2017). Creating political subjects: Collective knowledge and action to enact housing rights in Spain | Community Development Journal | Oxford Academic. Community Development Journal, 52(3), 421–435. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsx025<br />
*García-Lamarca, M., & Kaika, M. (2016). ‘Mortgaged lives’: The biopolitics of debt and housing financialisation. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 41(3), 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12126<br />
*Roy, A., & Malson, H. (Eds.). (2019). Housing justice in unequal cities. Institute on Inequality and Democracy. https://doi.org/https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10141152<br />
*Anguelovski, I., Connolly, J. J., Garcia-Lamarca, M., Cole, H., & Pearsall, H. (2019). New scholarly pathways on green gentrification: What does the urban ‘green turn’ mean and where is it going? Progress in Human Geography, 43(6), 1064–1086. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132518803799<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Right to housing]]<br />
[[Category: Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]]<br />
[[Category: Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
[[Category: Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
[[Category: TENLAW]]<br />
[[Category: MOBA Cooperative]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Right_to_housing&diff=2156Right to housing2020-05-25T20:55:38Z<p>Flor Avelino: /* References */</p>
<hr />
<div>The right to housing indicates the right of all individuals to have access to adequate shelter.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions. <br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Right to housing advocates that anyone should be provided with access to housing. As Michalis Goudis from [http://www.housingeurope.eu/ Housing Europe] stated “when comes to just and sustainable cities, housing is the first topic that needs to be addressed. To solve social exclusion first, you have to give people a roof, then you think about the rest. If you see it as a ladder, housing is the very first step”. On paper, right to housing is granted by several international and European laws. The network [http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights Housing Right Watch], categorizes these laws into three clusters: United Nations housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/un-housing-rights </ref>, Council of Europe housing rights<ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/council-europe-housing-rights </ref> and EU housing rights <ref>http://www.housingrightswatch.org/page/eu-housing-rights </ref>. In addition, each European country has its national laws on housing <ref> http://www.housingrightswatch.org/content/country-info </ref>. The EU funded project [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW], for instance, explored and summarized all EU member states laws to inform citizens about their rights as tenants. If on the one hand housing can be provided through formal procedures (e.g. existing law enforcement), on the other hand there are multiple informal practices (e.g. squatting vacant spaces) which attempt to provide shelter. There are numerous existing initiatives where citizens, social movements and non-governmental organizations act to fill the gaps of a state unable to fully enforce right to housing.<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
These a three examples of EU-fundend projects concerning the right to housing. <br />
<br />
Anti-gentrification toolkit ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/188216/brief/en AGAPE] 2014-2016): This approach responds to the increasing episodes of evictions, speculation and privatization on the urban European housing market. The anti-gentrification toolkit for policy makers and activists collects anti-eviction, anti-speculative, anti-privatization practices performed mainly in Southern European cities. For instance, tenants union lobbying has proved to be a successful practice in mitigating evictions. Similarly, social centers and housing movements have resisted displacement by squatting and re-claiming the right to use vacant urban spaces.<br />
<br />
Tenancy and housing law ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/102183/brief/en TENLAW] 2012-2015): In a number of cases around Europe national tenancy and housing law ensures citizens with housing rights. However, it often occurs that these laws are not enforced because of the inaccessible language or tenant’s lack of knowledge. The project TENLAW has developed an accessible brochure “My right as a tenant in EU” to inform citizens about their rights. Existing housing law is a legal and effective approach for citizens to see their right to housing respected. However, it might also be a limited one given that the legal system is not always a just one. <br />
<br />
Household resilience ([https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/111253/brief/en RESCuE] 2014-2017): A large number of vulnerable households in Europe has proven to be successful in mitigating poverty through self-initiatives which replace the absence of government’s support. Networks such as family, friends, church and other religious associations, schools, urban gardening, foodbanks, cultural events (and the list is still long and can be viewed on [http://rescueproject.net/exhibition/ RESCuE online exhibition] can strengthen household resilience against poverty. The project RESCuE was able to prove that housing is a fundamental aspect from which a great number of household resilience actions can be started or can take place.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The right to housing addresses living conditions of vulnerable urban citizens which either have no access to housing or no access to adequate housing. As such, the right to housing has an inherent strong focus on social justice as the end goal is to provide vulnerable citizens with decent living standards, ultimately reducing the gap with wealthier classes who are able to fulfil their needs. The underlying message is that social justice can be achieved through formal government interventions. When such interventions are lacking, governments risk to create socially unjust dynamics: lack of housing, lack of affordable-habitable-safe housing, gentrification, evictions and privatisation of the public urban space.<br />
<br />
Approaches aimed at granting the right to housing do not necessarily seek to achieve environmental sustainability as the end goal. Yet, sustainability proves to go hand in hand with the pursuit of social justice when comes to provide everyone with a home. In urban areas, for instance, speculation and privatization often occur with the development of new city districts which require extensive input of natural capital; whereas most housing movements (e.g. housing for all) advocate for the reuse (and when needed the renovation) of existing vacant spaces as a solution to allocate social vulnerable citizens. In this sense, there is no need for further natural resources input, but rather the desire to “recycle” existing vacant spaces or revisit the way in which existing housing is unjustly tenured on the free market.<br />
<br />
Overall, approaches to achieve right to housing for all can be implemented sustainably or can directly promote sustainability. The end goal, however, remains achieving social justice.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
Homelessness is the most severe form of neglection of the right to housing. However, as Michalis Goudis points out “nowadays professionals who cover fundamental roles in our urban centers, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to live in the cities where they work because of the high prices”. As the private market owes an increasing number of housing stocks, it becomes harder for public institutions to enforce the right to housing by, for instance, keep rent prices affordable. This also has an impact on social and public housing as co-operatives or local municipalities themselves struggle to create housing opportunities for vulnerable citizens because of the large dominance of real estate market on urban housing stock. Pilar Garrido, lectures in Constitutional and Autonomous Community Law at the UPV/EHU University of the Basque Country, talks about the need for a “change of paradigm” (Garrido, 2012) <ref> https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/127089-the-effective-exercising-of-the-right-to-housing-is-calling-for-a-new-relationship-between-ho/en </ref>. A new paradigm is needed where all individuals and families, with no discrimination, have access to affordable, habitable and safe housing and where they are protected from evictions.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
On a conceptual level, right to housing challenges the model of neoliberal economy which seeks to reduce government spending for public purposes (e.g. social and public housing) in favor of private sector interventions. The concept of "housing for all" is in inherent conflict with the ebbs and flows of a speculative neoliberal market. To challenge this, does not necessarily mean to abolish individuals’ and companies’ right to property, it rather puts pressure on public institutions to intervene and redefine the rules and boundaries under which the housing market operates.The increasing number of social movements demanding action in this direction indicates that the transformative potential of public institutions in very high (see for instance Berlin protests in April 2019 again rise in rent prices<ref> https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47839821 </ref>).<br />
Beside public institutions, there are many non-governmental actors which in a way or another try to grant vulnerable citizens the right housing. These are housing movements, churches, charity associations, unions, cooperatives, family and friend’s networks, and NGOs. These informal actors seek to provide housing based on a solidarity alternative view, which is opposing the dominant neoliberal and capitalist logic of providing housing services for profits. An example is the [https://moba.coop/ Moba cooperative], further explained in the next section. See also [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==Illustration of approach==<br />
'''Cooperatives'''<br />
<br />
The nature of housing cooperatives varies greatly across Europe, for this reason one cannot easily generalize on the role and the work they do. An interesting network of housing cooperatives which shares a similar model is the [https://moba.coop/ MOBA Housing Cooperative Network], located across eastern and southern Europe. Their final goal is to make housing more affordable and accessible to poorer residents. Their strength lies in holding responsibility for all processes involving the properties (e.g. contract, payment, construction works...). As they explained, the model "is centered around a cooperative of inhabitants that collectively develops, finances, maintains and operates a multi-apartment building. Because it controls the entire trajectory (and does not need to make profit), the resulting apartments are much more affordable for the inhabitants”.<ref> https://moba.coop/ </ref><br />
<br />
'''Social housing'''<br />
<br />
Across Europe, social housing works in a number of different ways, it can be either provided by public institutions or by the private sector. Similarly, access to housing changes from country to country. In Sweden and Denmark, for instance, all citizens can apply for social housing, whereas in countries like Italy, citizens must fulfil certain requirements. In line with this, Denmark's social housing makes up 19% of their stock market, while Italy's social housing only represents 5% of the total housing market. A on-point review of Europe's social housing situation was published by Housing Europe in 2012 and can be read [http://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-105/the-housing-europe-review-2012 here]. <br />
<br />
Other solutions to ensure right to housing go into the direction of [[Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]].<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Right to housing]]<br />
[[Category: Co-living, co-housing & intentional communities]]<br />
[[Category: Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
[[Category: Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
[[Category: TENLAW]]<br />
[[Category: MOBA Cooperative]]<br />
https://www.make-the-shift.org/</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Overview_of_people_involved&diff=2114Overview of people involved2020-04-21T16:45:53Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[User:Anna Bruen|Anna Bruen]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Nicolas Fonty|Nicolas Fonty]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Sophia Silverton]]<br />
<br />
[[User:MaartenMarkus]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Burcu Eke-Schneider]] <br />
<br />
[[User:EmmaErwin]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Karlijn Schipper]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Flor Avelino|Flor Avelino]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Vaishali Joshi]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Marcelline Bonneau]]<br />
<br />
[[User:YvetteJeuken]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Transition Network]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Ian Cook]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Lucia di Paola]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Philipp Spaeth]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Duncan Crowley]]<br />
<br />
==Templates==<br />
[[User:Yky]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Overview_of_people_involved&diff=2113Overview of people involved2020-04-21T16:23:58Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[User:Anna Bruen|Anna Bruen]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Nicolas Fonty|Nicolas Fonty]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Sophia Silverton]]<br />
<br />
[[User:MaartenMarkus]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Burcu Eke-Schneider]] <br />
<br />
[[User:EmmaErwin]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Karlijn Schipper]]<br />
<br />
[[Flor Avelino]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Vaishali Joshi]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Marcelline Bonneau]]<br />
<br />
[[User:YvetteJeuken]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Transition Network]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Ian Cook]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Lucia di Paola]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Philipp Spaeth]]<br />
<br />
[[User:Duncan Crowley]]<br />
<br />
==Templates==<br />
[[User:Yky]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=2013Main Page2020-04-08T16:19:30Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Welcome to the Wiki on Sustainable Just Cities!<br />
<br />
This Wiki is an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database and knowledge source for the Community of Practice of the [https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA] project. It captures the learning process of the UrbanA [https://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=UrbanA_Community_of_Practice Community of Practice] and is an important part of UrbanA's knowledge commons. It includes a database of '''[[Database of approaches|approaches]]''' and '''[[Database of projects & initiatives|projects & initiatives]]''' to just and sustainable cities.<br />
<br />
[[File:UrbanA_Logo.png|right|600px|link=https://urban-arena.eu/|UrbanA Website]]<br />
<br />
==A call for co-creation==<br />
This Wiki on Just Sustainable Cities is part of a knowledge commons that serves as a resource for everyone that wants to contribute to more sustainable and just cities. It is not only for everyone to use the knowledge that is on there, but also for everyone to share their own knowledge and experience. The idea of a knowledge commons is that it is owned and governed by all of those who use it. <br />
<br />
'''You are warmly invited to edit and adapt any of the current pages, by e.g. adding examples, correcting or complementing information. And/or to add your own approaches, projects, initiatives and user profiles. Becoming a Wiki-user is every easy and quick.''' <br />
<br />
For information on how, check out the '''[[Project:User guide|User guide]]'''. This guide includes links to tips on formatting and editing wiki pages.<br />
<br />
==About UrbanA==<br />
[[File:4.PNG|thumb|left|275px|link=https://urban-arena.eu/people/|UrbanA Community of Practice]]<br />
Cities play a key role in responding to the great challenges of our time. However increasing poverty and inequality, exacerbated by the recent financial and housing crises, are putting the social cohesion and resilience of European cities to the test. Much research has focused on teasing out the causes of urban social inequality and ecological unsustainability, and on understanding the connections, tensions and contradictions between the two. Research and innovation have also contributed to the development of ways to make cities more just and sustainable. Yet the need to consolidate and effectively communicate this knowledge and experience remains. UrbanA, Urban Arenas for Sustainable and Just Cities, takes up this challenge.Further information on UrbanA, a major EU-funded project on urban sustainability and justice, can be found on the project's [http://www.urban-arena.eu public website].<br />
<br />
A central element is the '''[https://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=UrbanA_Community_of_Practice UrbanA Community of Practice]''' (CoP). The CoP is an open network of individuals committed to taking constructive action on urban social inequality and ecological unsustainability in the ambition to create more just and sustainable cities. Read more about the CoP here: '''[https://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=UrbanA_Community_of_Practice UrbanA Community of Practice]'''. <br />
<br />
==Why this Wiki==<br />
In order to transform our cities into more sustainable and just environments, we need actionable knowledge that is relevant and accessible to as many people as possible. Currently, too much knowledge remains fragmented and inaccessible. Through the UrbanA project, we aim to synthesize and broker existing knowledge as well as further develop and translate knowledge into action. One important way in which we do this is through the UrbanA Wiki Database on Sustainable Just Cities. <br />
<br />
A Wiki is a decentralized approach to knowledge co-creation and information sharing. The ‘wisdom of the crowd’ is in the lead (instead of top-down development by a central manager). It supports inclusive, co-creative, open access and open source approaches to knowledge generation.<br />
<br />
==Databases==<br />
[[File:Mapping of Approaches.jpg|thumb|right|280px|link=https://urban-arena.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Zine-final-version_Optimised.pdf|Mapping of Approaches for UrbanA project during Rotterdam Arena Event]]<br />
This wiki captures this learning process and provides a shared workspace for the UrbanA [https://urban-arena.eu/people/community-of-practice/ Community of Practice]. The database initially consists of a set of approaches and research methods perceived particularly useful with linking urban sustainability and justice. Use of this wiki will connect closely with our [https://www.zotero.org/groups/2324475/urbana_library shared virtual library]. Visit the list of approaches, projects and people by following these links:<br />
<br />
'''[[Database of approaches]]'''<br />
<br />
'''[[Database of projects & initiatives]]'''<br />
<br />
'''[[Database of people]]'''<br />
<br />
The current covid-19 crisis has exposed severe inequities in European urban areas while showing the fragility of an unsustainable growth-oriented economic system. In the following database, the [https://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=UrbanA_Community_of_Practice UrbanA's Community of Practice] has collected resources which intersect the covid-19 crisis with issues of justice, sustainability and urbanizations.<br />
<br />
'''[[Cities, justice, sustainability and covid-19]]'''<br />
<br />
==What is next==<br />
Next is the[https://urban-arena.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/UrbanA_2nd-Arena_preliminary-agenda_V2.pdf UrbanA Arena event] on Justice challenges in urban sustainability, 4-5 June. Due to the current Covid-19 crisis the form of the event is currently being redesigned.<br />
<br />
==Disclaimer==<br />
This site holds an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which attempts to collect relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. Up till now, the pages are based mainly on knowledge generated in [https://cordis.europa.eu/ EU-funded projects], distilled and summarised by consortium members. The database touches on fast-changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions. <br />
<br />
==Copyright==<br />
Reuse of content for non-commercial purposes is permitted, with attribution, under [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Creative Commons Licence BY-NC 4.0]. Further information is available on our [[Project: copyrights|copyrights]] page.</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Vital_Cities_and_Citizens&diff=1949Vital Cities and Citizens2020-04-06T20:55:33Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>[https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/ Vital Cities and Citizens] (VCC) is an ongoing initiative of [https://www.eur.nl/en/ Erasmus University Rotterdam] that aims to enhance the quality of life in cities.<br />
<br />
==General introduction==<br />
VCC aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through scientific research and advice, knowledge sharing and networking. Globalisation, technological change, international migration and growing inequality are increasing the complexity of the social structure and cultural makeup of cities worldwide. Within this initiative the researchers from various fields of science work closely together with professionals from different cities to identify conditions for equal living opportunities, safe living environments, and the harmonious coexistence of an increasingly diverse population. In vital cities, residents can achieve their life goals through education, meaningful work and participation in public life. A vital city is a platform for creativity and diversity, and a safe meeting place for various social groups. VCC has four sub-themes: [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/inclusive-cities-and-diversity/ Inclusive Cities and Diversity], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/resilient-cities-and-people/ Resilient Cities and People], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/smart-cities-and-communities/ Smart Cities and City Communities], and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities]. <br />
<br />
==Main insights on/for sustainable just cities==<br />
VCC directly works towards [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities], which is one of its sub-themes and is described as follows:<br />
<br />
"Sustainable cities are about upholding social justice, ecological resilience and economic vitality for current and future generations. Many social movements and organizations across the world, including activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy-makers and other citizen, are collaborating to create more sustainable and just cities. They are striving for access to basic needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also respecting future generations and other living creatures. In this sub-theme, we critically engage with these movements through interdisciplinary research. We take complex political interlinkages between ecological, social and economic challenges in urban contexts as a fundamental starting point. What are the challenges and tensions between ecological sustainability and socio-economic justice? How can we ensure that sustainable cities are also just cities? How are people and networks empowered to transform their cities into more sustainable and just environments?"<br />
<br />
Theme lead [http://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino/ Flor Avelino] argues that "To tackle today’s urban challenges, we need systemic, transformative change that challenges, alters and replaces current power structures of inequality, exclusion, oppression and extractivism. There is no point in talking about sustainable cities without addressing these issues of (in)justice and power."<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
<br />
https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
<br />
==Link to other Wiki-pages==<br />
All the approaches in UrbanA Wiki’s Database of Approaches directly or indirectly relates to the VCC’s Sustainable and Just Cities sub-theme. Given below are key examples:<br />
*[[Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
*[[Right to the city (YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE!)]]<br />
*[[Right to housing]]<br />
*[[Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
*[[Experimentation labs]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
''Links''<br />
*VCC main page: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
*VCC sub-themes: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes<br />
*News about Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/onderzoek/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/nieuws-en-verhalen<br />
*Events on Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/events<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /></div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Vital_Cities_and_Citizens&diff=1948Vital Cities and Citizens2020-04-06T20:54:01Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>[https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/ Vital Cities and Citizens] (VCC) is an ongoing initiative of [https://www.eur.nl/en/ Erasmus University Rotterdam] that aims to enhance the quality of life in cities.<br />
<br />
==General introduction==<br />
VCC aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through scientific research and advice, knowledge sharing and networking. Globalisation, technological change, international migration and growing inequality are increasing the complexity of the social structure and cultural makeup of cities worldwide. Within this initiative the researchers from various fields of science work closely together with professionals from different cities to identify conditions for equal living opportunities, safe living environments, and the harmonious coexistence of an increasingly diverse population. In vital cities, residents can achieve their life goals through education, meaningful work and participation in public life. A vital city is a platform for creativity and diversity, and a safe meeting place for various social groups. VCC has four sub-themes: [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/inclusive-cities-and-diversity/ Inclusive Cities and Diversity], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/resilient-cities-and-people/ Resilient Cities and People], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/smart-cities-and-communities/ Smart Cities and City Communities], and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities]. <br />
<br />
==Main insights on/for sustainable just cities==<br />
VCC directly works towards [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities] as it is one of its sub-themes, which is described as follows:<br />
<br />
"Sustainable cities are about upholding social justice, ecological resilience and economic vitality for current and future generations. Many social movements and organizations across the world, including activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy-makers and other citizen, are collaborating to create more sustainable and just cities. They are striving for access to basic needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also respecting future generations and other living creatures.<br />
<br />
In this sub-theme, we critically engage with these movements through interdisciplinary research. We take complex political interlinkages between ecological, social and economic challenges in urban contexts as a fundamental starting point. What are the challenges and tensions between ecological sustainability and socio-economic justice? How can we ensure that sustainable cities are also just cities? How are people and networks empowered to transform their cities into more sustainable and just environments?"<br />
<br />
Theme lead [http://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino/ Flor Avelino] argues that "To tackle today’s urban challenges, we need systemic, transformative change that challenges, alters and replaces current power structures of inequality, exclusion, oppression and extractivism. There is no point in talking about sustainable cities without addressing these issues of (in)justice and power."<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
<br />
https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
<br />
==Link to other Wiki-pages==<br />
All the approaches in UrbanA Wiki’s Database of Approaches directly or indirectly relates to the VCC’s Sustainable and Just Cities sub-theme. Given below are key examples:<br />
*[[Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
*[[Right to the city (YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE!)]]<br />
*[[Right to housing]]<br />
*[[Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
*[[Experimentation labs]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
''Links''<br />
*VCC main page: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
*VCC sub-themes: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes<br />
*News about Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/onderzoek/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/nieuws-en-verhalen<br />
*Events on Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/events<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /></div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Vital_Cities_and_Citizens&diff=1941Vital Cities and Citizens2020-04-06T13:48:09Z<p>Flor Avelino: /* Main insights on/for sustainable just cities */</p>
<hr />
<div>[https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/ Vital Cities and Citizens] or VCC is an ongoing initiative of Erasmus University Rotterdam that aims to enhance the quality of life in cities.<br />
<br />
==General introduction==<br />
VCC aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through scientific research and advice, knowledge sharing and networking. Globalisation, technological change, international migration and growing inequality are increasing the complexity of the social structure and cultural makeup of cities worldwide. Within this initiative the researchers from various fields of science work closely together with professionals from different cities to identify conditions for equal living opportunities, safe living environments, and the harmonious coexistence of an increasingly diverse population. In vital cities, residents can achieve their life goals through education, meaningful work and participation in public life. A vital city is a platform for creativity and diversity, and a safe meeting place for various social groups. VCC has four sub-themes: [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/inclusive-cities-and-diversity/ Inclusive Cities and Diversity], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/resilient-cities-and-people/ Resilient Cities and People], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/smart-cities-and-communities/ Smart Cities and City Communities], and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities]. <br />
<br />
==Main insights on/for sustainable just cities==<br />
VCC directly works towards [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities] as it is one of its sub-themes, which is described as follows:<br />
<br />
"Sustainable cities are about upholding social justice, ecological resilience and economic vitality for current and future generations. Many social movements and organizations across the world, including activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy-makers and other citizen, are collaborating to create more sustainable and just cities. They are striving for access to basic needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also respecting future generations and other living creatures.<br />
<br />
In this sub-theme, we critically engage with these movements through interdisciplinary research. We take complex political interlinkages between ecological, social and economic challenges in urban contexts as a fundamental starting point. What are the challenges and tensions between ecological sustainability and socio-economic justice? How can we ensure that sustainable cities are also just cities? How are people and networks empowered to transform their cities into more sustainable and just environments?"<br />
<br />
Theme lead [http://wiki.urban-arena.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino/ Flor Avelino] argues that "To tackle today’s urban challenges, we need systemic, transformative change that challenges, alters and replaces current power structures of inequality, exclusion, oppression and extractivism. There is no point in talking about sustainable cities without addressing these issues of (in)justice and power."<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
<br />
https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
<br />
==Link to other Wiki-pages==<br />
All the approaches in UrbanA Wiki’s Database of Approaches directly or indirectly relates to the VCC’s Sustainable and Just Cities sub-theme. Given below are key examples:<br />
*[[Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
*[[Right to the city (YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE!)]]<br />
*[[Right to housing]]<br />
*[[Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
*[[Experimentation labs]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
''Links''<br />
*VCC main page: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
*VCC sub-themes: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes<br />
*News about Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/onderzoek/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/nieuws-en-verhalen<br />
*Events on Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/events<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /></div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Vital_Cities_and_Citizens&diff=1940Vital Cities and Citizens2020-04-06T13:45:48Z<p>Flor Avelino: /* Suggested key readings & links */</p>
<hr />
<div>[https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/ Vital Cities and Citizens] or VCC is an ongoing initiative of Erasmus University Rotterdam that aims to enhance the quality of life in cities.<br />
<br />
==General introduction==<br />
VCC aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through scientific research and advice, knowledge sharing and networking. Globalisation, technological change, international migration and growing inequality are increasing the complexity of the social structure and cultural makeup of cities worldwide. Within this initiative the researchers from various fields of science work closely together with professionals from different cities to identify conditions for equal living opportunities, safe living environments, and the harmonious coexistence of an increasingly diverse population. In vital cities, residents can achieve their life goals through education, meaningful work and participation in public life. A vital city is a platform for creativity and diversity, and a safe meeting place for various social groups. VCC has four sub-themes: [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/inclusive-cities-and-diversity/ Inclusive Cities and Diversity], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/resilient-cities-and-people/ Resilient Cities and People], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/smart-cities-and-communities/ Smart Cities and City Communities], and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities]. <br />
<br />
==Main insights on/for sustainable just cities==<br />
VCC directly works towards [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities] as it is one of its sub-themes, which is described as follows:<br />
<br />
"Sustainable cities are about upholding social justice, ecological resilience and economic vitality for current and future generations. Many social movements and organizations across the world, including activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy-makers and other citizen, are collaborating to create more sustainable and just cities. They are striving for access to basic needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also respecting future generations and other living creatures.<br />
<br />
In this sub-theme, we critically engage with these movements through interdisciplinary research. We take complex political interlinkages between ecological, social and economic challenges in urban contexts as a fundamental starting point. What are the challenges and tensions between ecological sustainability and socio-economic justice? How can we ensure that sustainable cities are also just cities? How are people and networks empowered to transform their cities into more sustainable and just environments?"<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
<br />
https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
<br />
==Link to other Wiki-pages==<br />
All the approaches in UrbanA Wiki’s Database of Approaches directly or indirectly relates to the VCC’s Sustainable and Just Cities sub-theme. Given below are key examples:<br />
*[[Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
*[[Right to the city (YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE!)]]<br />
*[[Right to housing]]<br />
*[[Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
*[[Experimentation labs]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
''Links''<br />
*VCC main page: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
*VCC sub-themes: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes<br />
*News about Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/onderzoek/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/nieuws-en-verhalen<br />
*Events on Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/events<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /></div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Vital_Cities_and_Citizens&diff=1939Vital Cities and Citizens2020-04-06T13:44:53Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>[https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/ Vital Cities and Citizens] or VCC is an ongoing initiative of Erasmus University Rotterdam that aims to enhance the quality of life in cities.<br />
<br />
==General introduction==<br />
VCC aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas through scientific research and advice, knowledge sharing and networking. Globalisation, technological change, international migration and growing inequality are increasing the complexity of the social structure and cultural makeup of cities worldwide. Within this initiative the researchers from various fields of science work closely together with professionals from different cities to identify conditions for equal living opportunities, safe living environments, and the harmonious coexistence of an increasingly diverse population. In vital cities, residents can achieve their life goals through education, meaningful work and participation in public life. A vital city is a platform for creativity and diversity, and a safe meeting place for various social groups. VCC has four sub-themes: [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/inclusive-cities-and-diversity/ Inclusive Cities and Diversity], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/resilient-cities-and-people/ Resilient Cities and People], [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/smart-cities-and-communities/ Smart Cities and City Communities], and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities]. <br />
<br />
==Main insights on/for sustainable just cities==<br />
VCC directly works towards [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Sustainable and Just Cities] as it is one of its sub-themes, which is described as follows:<br />
<br />
"Sustainable cities are about upholding social justice, ecological resilience and economic vitality for current and future generations. Many social movements and organizations across the world, including activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, policy-makers and other citizen, are collaborating to create more sustainable and just cities. They are striving for access to basic needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also respecting future generations and other living creatures.<br />
<br />
In this sub-theme, we critically engage with these movements through interdisciplinary research. We take complex political interlinkages between ecological, social and economic challenges in urban contexts as a fundamental starting point. What are the challenges and tensions between ecological sustainability and socio-economic justice? How can we ensure that sustainable cities are also just cities? How are people and networks empowered to transform their cities into more sustainable and just environments?"<br />
<br />
==Suggested key readings & links==<br />
*Hayward, C., & Lukes, S. (2008). Nobody to shoot? Power, structure, and agency: A dialogue. Journal of Power, 1(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17540290801943364<br />
*Manifesto for Transformative Social Innovation (2017), https://tsimanifesto.org/<br />
<br />
==Link to other Wiki-pages==<br />
All the approaches in UrbanA Wiki’s Database of Approaches directly or indirectly relates to the VCC’s Sustainable and Just Cities sub-theme. Given below are key examples:<br />
*[[Reconceptualising urban justice and sustainability]]<br />
*[[Right to the city (YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PAGE!)]]<br />
*[[Right to housing]]<br />
*[[Policies and practices for inclusion of disadvantaged groups]]<br />
*[[Experimentation labs]]<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
''Links''<br />
*VCC main page: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens<br />
*VCC sub-themes: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes<br />
*News about Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/onderzoek/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/nieuws-en-verhalen<br />
*Events on Vital Cities and Citizens: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/events<br />
<br />
''Publications''<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /></div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1839User:Flor Avelino2020-03-16T10:37:29Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I was born in 1981 in Sétubal (Portugal) and grew up in The Hague (The Netherlands). I currently live in Amsterdam and work in Rotterdam as a researcher and lecturer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialize in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. As scientific coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT] project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities ([https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA] and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Vital Cities & Citizens]) and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]). <br />
<br />
My main activities in the city today are visiting parks, playgrounds and other child-friendly places with my daughter, hanging out in libraries or cafés to write, travelling by train and metro between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and visiting other cities for work and family (mostly Brussels and Lisbon, but this year also Paris, Faro and Vienna). So far, my research has not (yet) specialised on specific cities, but I would like to learn more about the cities of Amsterdam and Lisbon, the connections between them and how we can increase translocal solidarity across these and other places.<br />
<br />
==Vision on & relation to sustainable just cities==<br />
To tackle today’s challenges, we need systemic, transformative change that challenges, alters and replaces current power structures of inequality, exclusion, oppression and extractivism. There is no point in talking about sustainability without addressing these issues of (in)justice and power. While cities are fascinating ‘hotspots’ to think and act on just sustainability transitions, I am convinced that we also need to better understand the translocal connections between different cities across the world, between urban and rural areas, between online and offline, between local, national and global levels of collective action (be it in governments, enterprises, NGOs or other networks and communities). <br />
<br />
In my research, I observe many social movements and initiatives across the world that are collaborating for more sustainable and just societies, striving for access to basic human needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also aiming to respect future generations and other living creatures. As a researcher, I strive to critically engage with these movements through research that helps us understand how people and networks are empowered to transform their places towards more sustainable & just environments. <br />
<br />
==More about me==<br />
''Websites & social media''<br />
* https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
* https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
* https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
* https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2<br />
<br />
<br />
''Key readings / projects (top 1-10)''<br />
*Time to ignite the power of translocal social movements: http://www.thebrokeronline.eu/Blogs/Inclusive-Economy-Europe/Time-to-ignite-the-power-of-translocal-social-movements<br />
*Avelino, F. , Monticelli, L. and Wittmayer, J.M. (2019), How transformative innovation movements contribute to transitions, chapter in: Atlas of Social Innovation. Available online: https://www.socialinnovationatlas.net/fileadmin/PDF/volume-2/01_SI-Landscape_Global_Trends/01_15_How-Transformative-Innovation-Movements_Avelino-Monticelli-Wittmayer.pdf <br />
*Avelino, F., Dumitru, A., Cipolla, C., Kunze. I. & Wittmayer, J. (2019): Translocal empowerment in transformative social innovation networks, European Planning Studies, Available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1578339 <br />
*Avelino, F., J.M. Wittmayer, B. Pel, P. Weaver, A. Dumitru, A. Haxeltine, R. Kemp, M.S. Jørgensen, T. Bauler, S. Ruijsink, T. O’Riordan (2019), Transformative Social Innovation and (Dis)Empowerment, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 145: 195-206: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.002 <br />
*Manifesto for Transformative Social Innovation (2017): https://tsimanifesto.org/<br />
*TRANSIT project on transformative social innovation: http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/<br />
*Manifesto for Transformative Social Innovation: https://tsimanifesto.org/</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1838User:Flor Avelino2020-03-16T10:37:12Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I was born in 1981 in Sétubal (Portugal) and grew up in The Hague (The Netherlands). I currently live in Amsterdam and work in Rotterdam as a researcher and lecturer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialize in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. As scientific coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT] project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities ([https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA] and [https://www.eur.nl/en/research/erasmus-initiatives/vital-cities-and-citizens/sub-themes/sustainable-and-just-cities/ Vital Cities & Citizens) and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]). <br />
<br />
My main activities in the city today are visiting parks, playgrounds and other child-friendly places with my daughter, hanging out in libraries or cafés to write, travelling by train and metro between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and visiting other cities for work and family (mostly Brussels and Lisbon, but this year also Paris, Faro and Vienna). So far, my research has not (yet) specialised on specific cities, but I would like to learn more about the cities of Amsterdam and Lisbon, the connections between them and how we can increase translocal solidarity across these and other places.<br />
<br />
==Vision on & relation to sustainable just cities==<br />
To tackle today’s challenges, we need systemic, transformative change that challenges, alters and replaces current power structures of inequality, exclusion, oppression and extractivism. There is no point in talking about sustainability without addressing these issues of (in)justice and power. While cities are fascinating ‘hotspots’ to think and act on just sustainability transitions, I am convinced that we also need to better understand the translocal connections between different cities across the world, between urban and rural areas, between online and offline, between local, national and global levels of collective action (be it in governments, enterprises, NGOs or other networks and communities). <br />
<br />
In my research, I observe many social movements and initiatives across the world that are collaborating for more sustainable and just societies, striving for access to basic human needs (e.g. housing, energy, water, food, healthcare), while also aiming to respect future generations and other living creatures. As a researcher, I strive to critically engage with these movements through research that helps us understand how people and networks are empowered to transform their places towards more sustainable & just environments. <br />
<br />
==More about me==<br />
''Websites & social media''<br />
* https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
* https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
* https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
* https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2<br />
<br />
<br />
''Key readings / projects (top 1-10)''<br />
*Time to ignite the power of translocal social movements: http://www.thebrokeronline.eu/Blogs/Inclusive-Economy-Europe/Time-to-ignite-the-power-of-translocal-social-movements<br />
*Avelino, F. , Monticelli, L. and Wittmayer, J.M. (2019), How transformative innovation movements contribute to transitions, chapter in: Atlas of Social Innovation. Available online: https://www.socialinnovationatlas.net/fileadmin/PDF/volume-2/01_SI-Landscape_Global_Trends/01_15_How-Transformative-Innovation-Movements_Avelino-Monticelli-Wittmayer.pdf <br />
*Avelino, F., Dumitru, A., Cipolla, C., Kunze. I. & Wittmayer, J. (2019): Translocal empowerment in transformative social innovation networks, European Planning Studies, Available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1578339 <br />
*Avelino, F., J.M. Wittmayer, B. Pel, P. Weaver, A. Dumitru, A. Haxeltine, R. Kemp, M.S. Jørgensen, T. Bauler, S. Ruijsink, T. O’Riordan (2019), Transformative Social Innovation and (Dis)Empowerment, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 145: 195-206: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.05.002 <br />
*Manifesto for Transformative Social Innovation (2017): https://tsimanifesto.org/<br />
*TRANSIT project on transformative social innovation: http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/<br />
*Manifesto for Transformative Social Innovation: https://tsimanifesto.org/</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Vaishali_Joshi&diff=1803User:Vaishali Joshi2020-02-27T21:18:58Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am currently in the second year of my master's degree program in [https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/master/MSc-programmes/MSc-Development-and-Rural-Innovation.htm/ Development and Rural Innovation] at [https://www.wur.nl/en.htm/ Wageningen University & Research] with focus on interdisciplinary research and international development. As an intern at [https://drift.eur.nl// The Dutch Research Institute for Transition] (DRIFT) in Rotterdam, I am working towards research and innovation in the field of sustainability transitions, social innovations, and urban social inequality. Currently, I am involved in two international projects in DRIFT. First, [https://drift.eur.nl/projects/urbana-urban-arena-for-sustainable-and-just-cities// UrbanA] or Urban Arenas for Sustainable and Just Cities and second, [https://drift.eur.nl/projects/sonnet// SONNET] or Social Innovations in Sustainable Energy Transitions. <br />
<br />
My expertise lies in organization support, multi-stakeholder processes and socio-spatial innovation and I am passionate to work towards regional development, social inclusion, and public policy. More information on my background and work is available on my [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishali-joshi// LinkedIn] page.</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Vaishali_Joshi&diff=1802User:Vaishali Joshi2020-02-27T21:18:51Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am currently in the second year of my master's degree program in [https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/master/MSc-programmes/MSc-Development-and-Rural-Innovation.htm/ Development and Rural Innovation] at [https://www.wur.nl/en.htm/ Wageningen University & Research] with focus on interdisciplinary research and international development. As an intern at [https://drift.eur.nl// The Dutch Research Institute for Transition] (DRIFT) in Rotterdam, I am working towards research and innovation in the field of sustainability transitions, social innovations, and urban social inequality. Currently, I am involved in two international projects in DRIFT. First, [https://drift.eur.nl/projects/urbana-urban-arena-for-sustainable-and-just-cities// UrbanA] or Urban Arenas for Sustainable and Just Cities and second, [https://drift.eur.nl/projects/sonnet// SONNET] or Social Innovations in Sustainable Energy Transitions. <br />
<br />
My expertise lies in organization support, multi-stakeholder processes and socio-spatial innovation and I am passionate to work towards regional development, social inclusion, and public policy. More information on my background and work is available on my [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishali-joshi// LinkedIn] page.<br />
<br />
bla</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1507User:Flor Avelino2019-12-12T15:11:32Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. <br />
<br />
As scientific co-coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT] project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities ([https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA]) and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]).<br />
<br />
More about/from me:<br />
<br />
* https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
* https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
* https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
* https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1506User:Flor Avelino2019-12-12T15:10:41Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. <br />
<br />
As scientific co-coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT] project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities [https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA] and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]).<br />
<br />
More about/from me:<br />
<br />
https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1505User:Flor Avelino2019-12-12T15:10:19Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. <br />
<br />
As scientific co-coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT] project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities [https://urban-arena.eu/UrbanA] and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]).<br />
<br />
More about/from me:<br />
<br />
https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1504User:Flor Avelino2019-12-12T15:09:58Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. <br />
<br />
As scientific co-coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/] TRANSIT project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities [https://urban-arena.eu/UrbanA] and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]).<br />
<br />
More about/from me:<br />
<br />
https://drift.eur.nl/people/flor-avelino/<br />
https://twitter.com/FlorAvelino<br />
https://www.facebook.com/flor.avelino.5<br />
https://www.linkedin.com/in/flor-avelino-4a12a94/<br />
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Flor_Avelino2</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=User:Flor_Avelino&diff=1503User:Flor Avelino2019-12-12T15:06:47Z<p>Flor Avelino: Created page with "I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in..."</p>
<hr />
<div>I am a researcher, lecturer and trainer on sustainability transitions and social innovation. I specialise in power and empowerment theories, and have a particular interest in translocal networks and social movements. The [https://drift.eur.nl/ Dutch Research Institute for Transitions] (DRIFT, Erasmus University of Rotterdam) has been my organizational home since 2005. <br />
<br />
As scientific co-coordinator of the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/] TRANSIT project on social innovation I was one of the initiators of the [https://tsimanifesto.org/ Transformative Social Innovation Manifesto]. Currently I'm involved in international projects on sustainable and just cities [https://urban-arena.eu/UrbanA] and social innovation in energy transitions ([https://sonnet-energy.eu/ SONNET] and [https://proseu.eu/ PROSEU]).</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Transition_towns&diff=1502Transition towns2019-12-12T14:56:16Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Transition Towns''' (more commonly referred to as the Transition movement) refers to community-based initiatives that address the complex challenges of our time by developing community resilience and creative innovation for sustainability, with a great variety of approaches to create a low-carbon future and nurture a caring culture. There are over 1200 Transition group community initiatives in over 40 countries.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions.<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Transition Town initiatives provide spaces for experimentation where citizens can build community resilience and pioneer alternative environmental, economic and social solutions. This includes the (re)discovery of (new combinations of) old and new skills and services to increase socio-ecological and socio-economic independence, and experimenting with permaculture design principles for urban farming and local food production, cooperative production of renewable energy, time banks and other complementary currencies [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800912004259 Seyfang & Longhurst 2013]. <br />
<br />
The [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT research project] includes a number of [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/resource-hub/transition-towns case-studies on transition initiatives and the Transition Network] as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising. In research project [http://www.tess-transition.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TESS-booklet_-Community-Climate-Action-across-Europe.pdf TESS] the Transition Black Isle (Scotland) was one of the case studies. Transition Town Halle was studied as a [http://glamurs.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WP5_Deliverable_5.6.pdf case study in the GLAMURS project] and supported by the BASE project the cases of Transition Town Initiatives in [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.3_transition_in_bristol.pdf Bristol] (UK) and [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.1_transition_in_peterborough.pdf Peterborough] (Canada) were described. <br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
The Transition movement originated around 2006 in the United Kingdom (UK) and has since rapidly spread across the world. [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf Longhurst (2015)] indicates that in 2014 the growth of the movement led to the proliferation of 1120 transition initiatives in 43 countries (see also [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378013002197?via%3Dihub Feola and Nunes 2014]) . <br />
<br />
[http://transitionnetwork.org/ Transition Network] is an organisation that supports the Transition movement, amplifies stories of community-led change, and nurtures collaboration across difference to challenge us all to reimagine and rebuild our world. There are currently 23 Transition Hubs (mainly national level organisations) supporting, connecting and inspiring Transition in their territory. <br />
<br />
There have been many empirical studies on the Transition Network and local initiatives, ranging from urban studies and critical geography to research fields focused on degrowth and sustainability transitions (e.g. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-8330.2010.00868.x Mason, K. and Whitehead, M. 2012], [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718509001092?via%3Dihub Bailey et al. 2010], [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.1432 Hopkins 2012], [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/c10222 Seyfang & Haxeltine 2012][https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378013002197?via%3Dihub Feola and Nunes 2014]). The principles, models and resources developed by early Transition towns have been collected, adapted and shared by Transition Network, the Transition Hubs and others and applied to very different contexts and levels of scale. The term Transition initiative is now used to encompass Transition villages, towns, city neighbourhoods, schools and universities.<br />
<br />
Transition Town Totnes (TTT) in the UK is the first and longest running Transition initiative, which was launched in September 2006. TTT describes itself as “a community-led and run local charity that exists to strengthen the local economy, reduce our environmental impact, and build our resilience for a future with less cheap energy and a changing climate, (...) a collection of local volunteers with a small staff team, who come together to work on projects” <ref>https://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/ </ref>. Their work “ranges from increasing low impact affordable housing, sharing skills, creating livelihoods, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, growing our local food economy and working in partnership with other local projects” <ref> https://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/</ref>.<br />
<br />
[https://1192budapest.wixsite.com/atalakulowekerle/about-transition-wekerle Transition Wekerle], launched in 2008 (re-named in 2011), was the first official Transition initiative in Hungary, and helped develop the [https://kozossegek.atalakulo.hu/transition-communities-hungary Hungarian Transition Hub]. According to its own website, Transition Wekerle “relies heavily on the cooperation of individuals, local NGOs and local institutions” and “focuses on local food, local energy and local economy in order to lighten our eco-footprint, promote active citizenship, new ways of cooperation and solidarity”. Their initiative ranges from “improving the energy efficiency of old homes through insulation, collecting fruit and vegetable donations at the local market for poverty-stricken families and promoting urban gardening by organising seed-swap events” <ref> http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/blog/a-her-story-of-transition-wekerle-an-experience-of-local-community-activism-in-hungary </ref>.<br />
<br />
[[Municipalities in Transition]] is a key approach designed to help communities and municipalities to collaborate well to create systemic change for sustainability.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The Transition approach is explicitly designed to be applicable anywhere, including the urban context. In fact, one of the interesting things about the Transition approach is that it enables people to experiment with approaches and solutions that may originally have been associated with rural areas (e.g. permaculture, organic agriculture, renewable energy, ecovillages) and do so in their urban neighbourhoods. As argued by [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0042098013480966 North & Longhurst 2013]: “the question of how the Transition model can be applied in urban settings has not been clear, leading to the implicit assumption that urban Transition initiatives are more complex and difficult. In contrast, [we argue that] the plasticity of Transition politics means that, in some cases, an urban context might be more productive for the development of Transition initiatives because it allows for a greater diversity of political action as well as providing a density of networks and resources that can be critical for the survival of grassroots interventions”.<br />
<br />
Transition Network has identified the municipal level of scale as a space where people can engage in the need for systemic change in a meaningful way, spotting connections, building trust, countering social and economic inequality and fostering a stronger and more practical sense of environmental stewardship. The [[Municipalities in Transition]] System fosters this potential at municipal scale, as an approach to help communities and municipalities engage in a collaborative transition towards a more sustainable future.<br />
<br />
The Transition movement explicitly aims to contribute to both social justice and ecological sustainability. The first two principles that the Transition Network emphasizes on their website and in “The Essential Guide to Doing Transition”<ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref> are formulated as follows:<br />
<br />
We respect resource limits and create resilience – The urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make wise use of precious resources is at the forefront of everything we do.<br />
We promote inclusivity and social justice – The most disadvantaged and powerless people in our societies are likely to be worst affected by rising fuel and food prices, resource shortages and extreme weather events. We want to increase the chances of all groups in society to live well, healthily and with sustainable livelihoods.<br />
<br />
The striving for inclusivity is also reflected in sharing Transition initiatives and approaches in an explicitly accessible and open format and tone to enable everyone to “Getting Transition started in your street, community, town or organisation”.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
The narrative of the Transition Network has evolved over time, through three main iterations. The original approach, based on ‘The 12 Steps of Transition’ <ref> Hopkins, R., 2008. The Transition Handbook: From oil dependency to local resilience. Green Books, Totnes, Devon </ref> was replaced by a more open set of 43 ‘ingredients’ <ref> Hopkins, R., 2011. The Transition Companion: Making Your Community More Resilient in Uncertain Times. Chelsea Green Publishing </ref>, a more focused set of which featured in the most recent (2018) version of “The Essential Guide to Doing Transition” <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref>. These ingredients include:<br />
* Healthy groups: Learning how to work well together<br />
* Vision: Imagining the future you want to co-create<br />
* Involvement: Getting the wider community involved and developing relationships beyond friends and natural allies<br />
* Networks & partnerships: Collaborating with others<br />
* Practical projects: Inspiring others and building new infrastructures <br />
* Part of a movement: Scaling up your impacts by linking up with transitioners elsewhere: <br />
* Reflect & celebrate: Reflecting on how you're doing and celebrating the difference you're making<br />
<br />
Underlying these ingredients are a number of principles <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/about-the-movement/what-is-transition/principles-2/ </ref> and an outspoken emphasis on the necessity of finding a balance between “the head, the heart and the hands”. The narrative of the Transition Network is explicitly aiming to be “inspirational, positive and evolving” and places much emphasis on storytelling. As formulated on the website, “one of the key ways in which the approach has spread to “over 50 countries, in thousands of groups: in towns, villages, cities, Universities, schools (...) is through telling inspiring stories” <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref>. <br />
<br />
According to [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf Longhurst 2015], the Transition approach is “underpinned by a theory of change that is based on community based activism stimulating wider systemic change towards a post-fossil fuel, high well being society. (...) Transition initiatives provide a supportive experimental space for citizens to work towards changing their systems at a local level. It is a positive and engaging process that is intended to encourage people to engage in areas where they are passionate about change and work towards the building of new localised systems of provision (e.g. energy, food). The theory of change is set out in a set of narratives about why a transition is required and how it should be undertaken. It is offered as a rational and necessary response to the threats of peak oil, climate change and the global economic crisis. It proposes a set of processes for organizing initiatives and projects. The model is innovative in the way that it brings together various ideas and practices into a coherent model. It combines ideas from ecology, addiction studies, system thinking, permaculture, with techniques for participatory community organizing and engagement”<ref> http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
From the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf TRANSIT case-study report summary]: “Assessing exactly how it contributes towards change is difficult to clearly establish if the various dimensions of change outlined above are taken into account. The extent to which it has influenced the beliefs and behaviour of the various actors who have been involved or engaged by Transition activities would need further, detailed empirical investigation. Furthermore, the way in which the model is implemented differently in different countries adds a further layer of complexity in terms of understanding the possible impact. Some broad observations can be made: <br />
* The growth of the movement has led to the proliferation of 1120 TIs in 43 countries (April 2014). <br />
* Locally created ‘experimental space’ has led to new kinds of innovation emerging. <br />
* Some projects have a tangible localised effect on their community. <br />
* The Transition narrative has diffused widely. It has contributed to the discourse around the necessity and nature of a Transition as well as being part of the wider anti-growth / anti-capitalist discourse. <br />
* The Transition model has contributed towards the argument that community based movements can contribute to social change, influencing government policy”. <br />
<br />
One of the critiques towards the Transition Towns movement has been its focus on positive action and lack of overt resistance and protest towards existing structures, or in other words its “apolitical pragmatism that masks latent tensions” in the urban context (Mason & Whitehead 2011)<ref> https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8330.2010.00868.x </ref> and its “insistence on inclusiveness and positive responses and consequent refusal to take positions in direct opposition to institutions or projects” (Connols & McDonalds 2010)<ref> https://academic.oup.com/cdj/article/46/4/558/361575 </ref>. On that basis one could argue that the transformative potential of the Transition Towns movements lies primarily in the (contributing) to supplementing and altering current power relations, rather than overtly challenging or replacing them. Several studies have described the danger of co-optation by established institutions and/or paradigms. The movement's internal narrative is explicitly transformative, though the extent to which that translates into overt challenges to current power relations varies. See for example [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-10-4792-3_10 Alexander and Ruthford 2018]. On the other hand, one could argue that the grassroots community work of Transition Towns, also has the potential to challenge and replace current power relations by showing that alternative social relations are possible. The [[Municipalities in Transition]] System, for instance, aims to challenge power relations through the process being led by a collaborative group where community and municipality representatives are equals in decision-making. As argued by [https://doi.org/10.31269/triplec.v16i2.1032 Lara Monticelli (2018)], movements like Transition Towns are focused on ‘prefiguring’ their future vision, i.e. “embody their ultimate goals and their vision of a future society through their ongoing social practices, social relations, decision-making philosophy and culture” and “not only opposing capitalism but also prefiguring post-capitalist societies. These movements are re-thinking and re-politicising conventional modes of production, consumption and living by defending, restoring and creating spaces of resistance and experimentation” (Monticelli 2018: 509-515)<ref> https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/1032</ref>. <br />
<br />
==Illustrations==<br />
Examples of Transition Town initiatives studied in the TRANSIT project:<br />
<br />
Social Innovation Initiatives in the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii Critical Turning Points-database]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-1 Omstilling Ry (Transition Ry – Denmark)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-3 Transition Norwich (UK)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-4 Transition Town Tooting (UK)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-2 Transition Bro Gwaun (UK)]<br />
<br />
Social Innovation Initiatives studied in-depth<br />
*[http://transitionnorwichnews.blogspot.com/ Transition Norwich (UK)]<br />
*[http://transitiontowntooting.blogspot.com/ Transition Town Tooting (UK)]<br />
*[https://transitionbrogwaun.org.uk/ Transition Bro Gwaun (UK)]<br />
<br />
In research project TESS <ref> http://www.tess-transition.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TESS-booklet_-Community-Climate-Action-across-Europe.pdf </ref><br />
*Transition Black Isle (Scotland) <br />
<br />
In the GLAMURS project<br />
*[http://glamurs.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WP5_Deliverable_5.6.pdf Transition Town Halle ]<br />
<br />
Supported by the BASE project a book on transition was written with the cases of <br />
*Transition Town Initiative [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.3_transition_in_bristol.pdf Bristol](UK) <br />
*Transition Town Initiative [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.1_transition_in_peterborough.pdf Peterborough] (Canada) <br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==Further reading ==<br />
Link to other wiki: http://wiki.ecolise.eu/index.php?title=Transition_movement<br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Transition towns]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
[[Category: Experimentation labs]]<br />
[[Category: BASE]]<br />
[[Category: TESS]]<br />
[[Category: Transition wekerle]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Municipalities_in_Transition&diff=1501Municipalities in Transition2019-12-12T14:53:06Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Municipalities in Transition''' is a key approach designed to help communities and municipalities to collaborate well to create systemic change for sustainability.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions.<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
<br />
Municipalities in Transition (MiT) is a grassroots policy innovation that promotes synergies between local governments and community-led initiatives, using systems thinking and a flexible framework system to find innovative ways to facilitate transformative change, as studied and reported in the [http://municipalitiesintransition.org/mit_research_report/ Local collaborative transformations report].<ref> Macedo, P. (2019a). Local collaborative transformations - Existing experiences and a new systemic framework for reflexive governance. Porto: Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.</ref> The Municipalities in Transition methodology is being further developed and tested in Pioneer municipalities in 2019-2020.<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
Municipalities in Transition is a project of the [[Transition movement]] (jointly led by Transition Network and the Transition Hubs group).<ref> http://municipalitiesintransition.org/. Accessed 4th December 2019 </ref> In 2018-19 the Municipalities in Transition System was piloted in 6 communities:<ref> http://municipalitiesintransition.org/the-pilots/. Accessed 4th December 2019 </ref><br />
* Valsamoggia, Italy <br />
* Santorso, Italy<br />
* Telheiras, Portugal<br />
* La Garrotxa, Spain<br />
* Kispest, Hungary<br />
* Ecobairro São Paulo, Brazil).<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
Transition Network has identified the municipal level of scale as a space where people can engage in the need for systemic change in a meaningful way, spotting connections, building trust, countering social and economic inequality and fostering a stronger and more practical sense of environmental stewardship. The Municipalities in Transition System fosters this potential at municipal scale, as an approach to help communities and municipalities engage in a collaborative transition towards a more sustainable future.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
The “beta” Municipalities in Transition System, trialled by the pilot communities in 2018-2019, shows the key functions of Evaluation & Diagnosis; Co-design; Co-Implementation; Toolbox; and Cultural Leverage.<ref> http://municipalitiesintransition.org/the-framework-beta-version/. Access date 4th December 2019</ref> The new system includes also the function of Governance. The System is recommended for use with a skilled facilitator, or “tutor” to ensure that the process is participatory and inclusive, and help navigate the complexities of cultural and behavioural change. The Municipalities in Transition System is inspired by system thinking, recognising and working with local variables, resources and opportunities, pursuing the purpose of creating deep cultural and practical changes towards sustainability and wellbeing through the implementation of the Transition Principles. It also uses the concept of fluxes: narratives, actions and social structures that can move and influence wider portions of society in a transversal way, informing, connecting and fostering as many groups as possible at the same time. This was partially inspired by the work of the economist David Lane on complexity and social interactions.<ref> Antonelli, C., 2011. Handbook on the Economic Complexity of Technological Change. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9780857930378</ref><br />
<br />
The Municipalities in Transition system has the following features, that makes it a very practical tool for transition:<br />
# It has a Purpose<br />
# It’s closely linked to the Transition principles<ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/about-the-movement/what-is-transition/principles-2/. Accessed December 5th 2019.</ref><br />
# It’s implementable in a top-down and/or a bottom-up approach<br />
# It’s powerful enough to cope with high levels of complexity and uncertainty<br />
# It’s simple enough to be relatively easy to learn and to use in real life<br />
# It has a low level of preconditions for adoption (low resources, low technology)<br />
# It’s easily adaptable to a wide variety of very different contexts and cultures<br />
# It’s designed to be iteratively evolved through its use<br />
# It’s suitable for use in a context of shared/diffused governance<br />
# It’s capable of improving the quality of the cooperation between the involved actors<br />
# It’s preparatory to a deep adaptation community strategy<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
Pedro Macedo reports that, in the six Municipalities in Transition pilots 2018-2019, “Even in a short time, quite dramatic changes occurred. This was the product of the reflexive experimentation, the new social relations, the empowerment process, the changing tensions, the translocal connectivity, the discourse formation, the new institutional homes and the strategic actions. New ways of doing, organizing, framing and/or knowing.”<ref> Macedo, P. (2019b). Municipalities in Transition - Deep collaboration between community-based initiatives and local governments. Porto: Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa</ref><br />
<br />
The Municipalities in Transition System challenges power relations through the process being led by a collaborative group where community and municipality representatives are equals in decision-making. This aims to empower a broad range of actors to see beyond their immediate needs, short-term interests and professional preoccupations, connect to their longing for transformational change and come together to design and implement activity with the potential to shift the system.<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Transition_towns&diff=1500Transition towns2019-12-12T14:38:20Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Transition Towns''' (more commonly referred to as the Transition movement) refers to community-based initiatives that address the complex challenges of our time by developing community resilience and creative innovation for sustainability, with a great variety of approaches to create a low-carbon future and nurture a caring culture. There are over 1200 Transition group community initiatives in over 40 countries.<br />
<br />
This page is part of an ongoing, open-ended online collaborative database, which collects relevant approaches that can be used by city-makers to tackle unsustainability and injustice in cities. It is based mainly on knowledge generated in EU-funded projects and touches on fast changing fields. As such, this page makes no claims of authoritative completeness and welcomes your suggestions.<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Transition Town initiatives provide spaces for experimentation where citizens can build community resilience and pioneer alternative environmental, economic and social solutions. This includes the (re)discovery of (new combinations of) old and new skills and services to increase socio-ecological and socio-economic independence, and experimenting with permaculture design principles for urban farming and local food production, cooperative production of renewable energy, time banks and other complementary currencies [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800912004259 Seyfang & Longhurst 2013]. <br />
<br />
The [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/ TRANSIT research project] includes a number of [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/resource-hub/transition-towns case-studies on transition initiatives and the Transition Network] as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising. In research project [http://www.tess-transition.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TESS-booklet_-Community-Climate-Action-across-Europe.pdf TESS] the Transition Black Isle (Scotland) was one of the case studies. Transition Town Halle was studied as a [http://glamurs.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WP5_Deliverable_5.6.pdf case study in the GLAMURS project] and supported by the BASE project the cases of Transition Town Initiatives in [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.3_transition_in_bristol.pdf Bristol] (UK) and [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.1_transition_in_peterborough.pdf Peterborough] (Canada) were described. <br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
The Transition movement originated around 2006 in the United Kingdom (UK) and has since rapidly spread across the world. [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf Longhurst (2015)] indicates that in 2014 the growth of the movement led to the proliferation of 1120 transition initiatives in 43 countries (see also [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378013002197?via%3Dihub Feola and Nunes 2014]) . <br />
<br />
[http://transitionnetwork.org/ Transition Network] is an organisation that supports the Transition movement, amplifies stories of community-led change, and nurtures collaboration across difference to challenge us all to reimagine and rebuild our world. There are currently 23 Transition Hubs (mainly national level organisations) supporting, connecting and inspiring Transition in their territory. <br />
<br />
There have been many empirical studies on the Transition Network and local initiatives, ranging from urban studies and critical geography to research fields focused on degrowth and sustainability transitions (e.g. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-8330.2010.00868.x Mason, K. and Whitehead, M. 2012], [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718509001092?via%3Dihub Bailey et al. 2010], [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.1432 Hopkins 2012], [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/c10222 Seyfang & Haxeltine 2012][https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378013002197?via%3Dihub Feola and Nunes 2014]). The principles, models and resources developed by early Transition towns have been collected, adapted and shared by Transition Network, the Transition Hubs and others and applied to very different contexts and levels of scale. The term Transition initiative is now used to encompass Transition villages, towns, city neighbourhoods, schools and universities.<br />
<br />
Transition Town Totnes (TTT) in the UK is the first and longest running Transition initiative, which was launched in September 2006. TTT describes itself as “a community-led and run local charity that exists to strengthen the local economy, reduce our environmental impact, and build our resilience for a future with less cheap energy and a changing climate, (...) a collection of local volunteers with a small staff team, who come together to work on projects” <ref>https://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/ </ref>. Their work “ranges from increasing low impact affordable housing, sharing skills, creating livelihoods, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions, growing our local food economy and working in partnership with other local projects” <ref> https://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/</ref>.<br />
<br />
[https://1192budapest.wixsite.com/atalakulowekerle/about-transition-wekerle Transition Wekerle], launched in 2008 (re-named in 2011), was the first official Transition initiative in Hungary, and helped develop the [https://kozossegek.atalakulo.hu/transition-communities-hungary Hungarian Transition Hub]. According to its own website, Transition Wekerle “relies heavily on the cooperation of individuals, local NGOs and local institutions” and “focuses on local food, local energy and local economy in order to lighten our eco-footprint, promote active citizenship, new ways of cooperation and solidarity”. Their initiative ranges from “improving the energy efficiency of old homes through insulation, collecting fruit and vegetable donations at the local market for poverty-stricken families and promoting urban gardening by organising seed-swap events” <ref> http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/blog/a-her-story-of-transition-wekerle-an-experience-of-local-community-activism-in-hungary </ref>.<br />
<br />
[[Municipalities in Transition]] is a key approach designed to help communities and municipalities to collaborate well to create systemic change for sustainability.<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
The Transition approach is explicitly designed to be applicable anywhere, including the urban context. In fact, one of the interesting things about the Transition approach is that it enables people to experiment with approaches and solutions that may originally have been associated with rural areas (e.g. permaculture, organic agriculture, renewable energy, ecovillages) and do so in their urban neighbourhoods. As argued by [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0042098013480966 North & Longhurst 2013]: “the question of how the Transition model can be applied in urban settings has not been clear, leading to the implicit assumption that urban Transition initiatives are more complex and difficult. In contrast, [we argue that] the plasticity of Transition politics means that, in some cases, an urban context might be more productive for the development of Transition initiatives because it allows for a greater diversity of political action as well as providing a density of networks and resources that can be critical for the survival of grassroots interventions”.<br />
<br />
Transition Network has identified the municipal level of scale as a space where people can engage in the need for systemic change in a meaningful way, spotting connections, building trust, countering social and economic inequality and fostering a stronger and more practical sense of environmental stewardship. The [[Municipalities in Transition]] System fosters this potential at municipal scale, as an approach to help communities and municipalities engage in a collaborative transition towards a more sustainable future.<br />
<br />
The Transition movement explicitly aims to contribute to both social justice and ecological sustainability. The first two principles that the Transition Network emphasizes on their website and in “The Essential Guide to Doing Transition”<ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref> are formulated as follows:<br />
<br />
We respect resource limits and create resilience – The urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make wise use of precious resources is at the forefront of everything we do.<br />
We promote inclusivity and social justice – The most disadvantaged and powerless people in our societies are likely to be worst affected by rising fuel and food prices, resource shortages and extreme weather events. We want to increase the chances of all groups in society to live well, healthily and with sustainable livelihoods.<br />
<br />
The striving for inclusivity is also reflected in sharing Transition initiatives and approaches in an explicitly accessible and open format and tone to enable everyone to “Getting Transition started in your street, community, town or organisation”.<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
The narrative of the Transition Network has evolved over time, through three main iterations. The original approach, based on ‘The 12 Steps of Transition’ <ref> Hopkins, R., 2008. The Transition Handbook: From oil dependency to local resilience. Green Books, Totnes, Devon </ref> was replaced by a more open set of 43 ‘ingredients’ <ref> Hopkins, R., 2011. The Transition Companion: Making Your Community More Resilient in Uncertain Times. Chelsea Green Publishing </ref>, a more focused set of which featured in the most recent (2018) version of “The Essential Guide to Doing Transition” <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref>. These ingredients include:<br />
* Healthy groups: Learning how to work well together<br />
* Vision: Imagining the future you want to co-create<br />
* Involvement: Getting the wider community involved and developing relationships beyond friends and natural allies<br />
* Networks & partnerships: Collaborating with others<br />
* Practical projects: Inspiring others and building new infrastructures <br />
* Part of a movement: Scaling up your impacts by linking up with transitioners elsewhere: <br />
* Reflect & celebrate: Reflecting on how you're doing and celebrating the difference you're making<br />
<br />
Underlying these ingredients are a number of principles <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/about-the-movement/what-is-transition/principles-2/ </ref> and an outspoken emphasis on the necessity of finding a balance between “the head, the heart and the hands”. The narrative of the Transition Network is explicitly aiming to be “inspirational, positive and evolving” and places much emphasis on storytelling. As formulated on the website, “one of the key ways in which the approach has spread to “over 50 countries, in thousands of groups: in towns, villages, cities, Universities, schools (...) is through telling inspiring stories” <ref> https://transitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Essential-Guide-to-Doing-Transition-English-V1.2.pdf </ref>. <br />
<br />
According to [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf Longhurst 2015], the Transition approach is “underpinned by a theory of change that is based on community based activism stimulating wider systemic change towards a post-fossil fuel, high well being society. (...) Transition initiatives provide a supportive experimental space for citizens to work towards changing their systems at a local level. It is a positive and engaging process that is intended to encourage people to engage in areas where they are passionate about change and work towards the building of new localised systems of provision (e.g. energy, food). The theory of change is set out in a set of narratives about why a transition is required and how it should be undertaken. It is offered as a rational and necessary response to the threats of peak oil, climate change and the global economic crisis. It proposes a set of processes for organizing initiatives and projects. The model is innovative in the way that it brings together various ideas and practices into a coherent model. It combines ideas from ecology, addiction studies, system thinking, permaculture, with techniques for participatory community organizing and engagement”<ref> http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf </ref>.<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
From the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/content/original/Book%20covers/Local%20PDFs/155%20TSI%20Narrative_Transition%20Movement_Upload.pdf TRANSIT case-study report summary]: “Assessing exactly how it contributes towards change is difficult to clearly establish if the various dimensions of change outlined above are taken into account. The extent to which it has influenced the beliefs and behaviour of the various actors who have been involved or engaged by Transition activities would need further, detailed empirical investigation. Furthermore, the way in which the model is implemented differently in different countries adds a further layer of complexity in terms of understanding the possible impact. Some broad observations can be made: <br />
* The growth of the movement has led to the proliferation of 1120 TIs in 43 countries (April 2014). <br />
* Locally created ‘experimental space’ has led to new kinds of innovation emerging. <br />
* Some projects have a tangible localised effect on their community. <br />
* The Transition narrative has diffused widely. It has contributed to the discourse around the necessity and nature of a Transition as well as being part of the wider anti-growth / anti-capitalist discourse. <br />
* The Transition model has contributed towards the argument that community based movements can contribute to social change, influencing government policy”. <br />
<br />
One of the critiques towards the Transition Towns movement has been its focus on positive action and lack of overt resistance and protest towards existing structures, or in other words its “apolitical pragmatism that masks latent tensions” in the urban context (Mason & Whitehead 2011)<ref> https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8330.2010.00868.x </ref> and its “insistence on inclusiveness and positive responses and consequent refusal to take positions in direct opposition to institutions or projects” (Connols & McDonalds 2010)<ref> https://academic.oup.com/cdj/article/46/4/558/361575 </ref>. On that basis one could argue that the transformative potential of the Transition Towns movements lies primarily in the (contributing) to supplementing and altering current power relations, rather than overtly challenging or replacing them. Several studies have described the danger of co-optation by established institutions and/or paradigms. The movement's internal narrative is explicitly transformative, though the extent to which that translates into overt challenges to current power relations varies. See for example [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-10-4792-3_10 Alexander and Ruthford 2018]. On the other hand, one could argue that the grassroots community work of Transition Towns, also has the potential to challenge and replace current power relations by showing that alternative social relations are possible. The Municipalities in Transition System challenges power relations through the process being led by a collaborative group where community and municipality representatives are equals in decision-making. This aims to empower a broad range of actors to see beyond their immediate needs, short-term interests and professional preoccupations, connect to their longing for transformative change and come together to design and implement activity with the potential to shift the system. As argued by [https://doi.org/10.31269/triplec.v16i2.1032 Lara Monticelli (2018)], movements like Transition Towns are focused on ‘prefiguring’ their future vision, i.e. “embody their ultimate goals and their vision of a future society through their ongoing social practices, social relations, decision-making philosophy and culture” and “not only opposing capitalism but also prefiguring post-capitalist societies. These movements are re-thinking and re-politicising conventional modes of production, consumption and living by defending, restoring and creating spaces of resistance and experimentation” (Monticelli 2018: 509-515)<ref> https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/1032</ref>. <br />
<br />
==Illustrations==<br />
Examples of Transition Town initiatives studied in the TRANSIT project:<br />
<br />
Social Innovation Initiatives in the [http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii Critical Turning Points-database]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-1 Omstilling Ry (Transition Ry – Denmark)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-3 Transition Norwich (UK)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-4 Transition Town Tooting (UK)]<br />
*[http://www.transitsocialinnovation.eu/sii/transition-towns-2 Transition Bro Gwaun (UK)]<br />
<br />
Social Innovation Initiatives studied in-depth<br />
*[http://transitionnorwichnews.blogspot.com/ Transition Norwich (UK)]<br />
*[http://transitiontowntooting.blogspot.com/ Transition Town Tooting (UK)]<br />
*[https://transitionbrogwaun.org.uk/ Transition Bro Gwaun (UK)]<br />
<br />
In research project TESS <ref> http://www.tess-transition.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TESS-booklet_-Community-Climate-Action-across-Europe.pdf </ref><br />
*Transition Black Isle (Scotland) <br />
<br />
In the GLAMURS project<br />
*[http://glamurs.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/WP5_Deliverable_5.6.pdf Transition Town Halle ]<br />
<br />
Supported by the BASE project a book on transition was written with the cases of <br />
*Transition Town Initiative [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.3_transition_in_bristol.pdf Bristol](UK) <br />
*Transition Town Initiative [http://www.transitionresearchnetwork.org/uploads/1/2/7/3/12737251/2.1_transition_in_peterborough.pdf Peterborough] (Canada) <br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==Further reading ==<br />
Link to other wiki: http://wiki.ecolise.eu/index.php?title=Transition_movement<br />
<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Transition towns]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
[[Category: Experimentation labs]]<br />
[[Category: BASE]]<br />
[[Category: TESS]]<br />
[[Category: Transition wekerle]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=560Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:49:32Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. <br />
<br />
THIS WIKI-page is under construction! References & hyperlinks are still to be added.<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
The [https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network] defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
Estimations on how many ecovillages exist in the world today highly depend on (self-appropriated) definitions and vary from 4.000 to 15.000 ecovillages (Jackson 2004, Kasper & Schyndel 2008). The Global Ecovillage Network mentions over 1.000 ecovillages across the world. The Eurotopia directory (1998-2014) indicate a high fluctuation and increase in projects who call themselves ecovillage. 90% of these new community attempts are reported to fail in the first 5 years, due to the challenges of finding affordable land and planning permissions, and to maintain self-sustaining economies (Dawson 2006, Avelino & Kunze 2009).<br />
<br />
Ecovillages often function as ‘experimental gardens’ (Kunze 2012) to experiment with a diversity of approaches to tackle ecological sustainability and/or social justice, ranging from permaculture, ecological construction of houses (e.g. strawbale houses, earthships, and low-tech technological innovation in e.g. renewable energy), to experiments with alternative decision-making formats such as sociocracy (see e.g. TRANSIT case-study on Ecovillage Bergen) or alternative modes of (non-violent) communication and community-building. <br />
<br />
Ecovillages come in many shapes, sizes and sorts. If we exclude traditional villages (which are often much larger), the size of intentional ecovillage communities range anywhere between 8 to 250 residents. More importantly, however, are the many visitors that temporarily visit and work in ecovillages. Most ecovillages have an explicit aim to contribute to the transferability of their approaches and “act as centres of research, demonstration and (in most cases) training” (Dawson, 2006). Many ecovillages are a member of the Global Ecovillage Network, which was founded in 1995 as a bottom up network for education, exchange of experiences and political lobby work and has branches on each continent and many national networks. Within these international, regional and national networks, ecovillages share the insights from their ecological, technological, economic and social experiments at events and through the open source Solution Library. <br />
<br />
Examples of ecovillages:<br />
<br />
Cloughjordan ecovillage is based in Ireland. Its first houses were built in 2009 and it currently includes “55 low-carbon homes, Ireland's lowest ecological footprint, a carbon-neutral district heating system, a community farm, green enterprise centre, and a planned reed bed treatment plant” (Transformative Cities Atlas of Utopia). <br />
<br />
Tamera ecovillage was founded in 1995 and is now inhabited by 170 people who live and work on a site of 330 acres/ 134 located 20kms off the west coast in the Alentejo region in southern Portugal. In addition to the permanent community, there are hundreds of guests who temporarily live and work in Tamera. (TRANSIT case-study, Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
Ecovillage Schloss Tempelhof which was started in 2007, has located in the Jagstregion, a rural area in Southern Germany, state of Baden-Württemberg, and has grown from 20 to 140 Inhabitants in only three years with a site of 32ha (4ha Buildings, 27ha agrarian land incl. 1ha forest). The Tempelhof foundation owns the property and all residents are voting members. (TRANSIT case-study,, cf. CTP database or Kunze 2015).<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
While there are several ecovillages that are integrated in urban contexts, the majority are located in peri-urban or rural areas (Moore & Wight 2007). Although many ecovillages would like to be (more) integrated in and connected to urban contexts, they tend to be impeded from that by high land prices and tight zoning regulations (Kasper/Schyndel 2008).There are however many developments in the urban context that can be related or even traced back to the ecovillage movement, such as the Transition Towns movement or eco-city projects such as the BedZed project (Avelino & Kunze 2009). The global ecovillage movements has widened its orientation from merely ‘creating more ecovillages’ to transfer and translate ecovillage learnings to mainstream society through e.g. retrofitting urban contexts or diffusing ecological designs and lifestyles such as e.g. the Tiny House movement (ibid). <br />
<br />
A particular feature of the ecovillage movement is its holistic emphasis on connecting ecological, economic, social and cultural dimensions of sustainability. The Global Ecovillage Network and many individual ecovillages explicitly claim to not only tackle ecological challenges, but also social issues, by “reacting to the alienation of the individual due to institutionalisation of traditional support functions, the breakdown of the family, and the marginalisation of the weaker members of society” (Jackson, in Avelino & Kunze 2009). As formulated by a member of the European Global Ecovillage Network office: “The ecovillage movement is the most radical approach amongst the alternative movements because it touches all areas of life. […] The ecovillage concept is very complex, not many people can agree to it when they first hear about it.” (quoted in TRANSIT ecovillage case-study report Kunze & Avelino 2015).<br />
<br />
Ecovillages are particularly interesting in their collective ownership models and community land trusts, which they experiment with in many forms. Moreover, there is an interesting intersectional work on ecological justice, relating ecovillage approaches to peace activism and conflict areas. In the case of Tamera ecovillage, and interesting example to illustrate their international work at the intersection of ecological sustainability and social justice is the Global Campus Palestine (GCP) initiative, with experiments in e.g. Farkha village and the Hakoritna farm, regarding “traditional stone terracing and swales for rainwater retention, mixed-culture permaculture, composting toilet and a small biogas digestor”. The idea is that increasing self-sufficiency regarding water, food and energy can be a “power resistance tool” for marginalised communities is disenfranchised communities and conflict regions, which is an interesting example of how ecological and social justice can be combined. As formulated by Fayez Taneeb, the owner of the farm since 1984: “From Tamera I received the message that water, food, and energy are available to all humanity if we work with the laws of nature (...) That’s a powerful resistance tool, because water, food and energy are things that Israel does not want us to control.”<br />
<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
Given the rich diversity of ecovillages across the world, It is impossible to generalise one narrative of change for all ecovillages. There is however a shared narrative used by the Global Ecovillage Network, which e.g. on its website claims to “envision a world of empowered citizens and communities, designing and implementing pathways to a regenerative future, while building bridges of hope and international solidarity”. This narrative has been further analysed and unpacked as a ‘narrative of change’ in the TRANSIT research project (e.g. Kunze & Avelino 2015, Wittmayer et al. 2019, Avelino et al. 2019, Avelino & Wittmayer 2019). The problem addressed by ecovillages is described as “current developments, such as climate change, demographic change, technological change and inequalities, are grounded in a fundamental alienation and disconnectedness from nature, others and ourselves. The desired future includes the reconciliation of different cultures, an integration of individual needs and community, reclaiming of real estate and land and, to some degree, self-sufficiency and ecological responsibility” (Wittmayer et al. 2019, p.7). <br />
<br />
Each ecovillage has its own narrative of change. Tamera ecovillage, for instance, describes itself as a ‘healing biotope’ and a ‘peace research centre for a future without war’. It strongly emphasises that it wants to create a new world, a ‘Realistic Utopia’. The Tamera Manifesto for a New Generation on Planet Earth, for instance, argues that “the world is in transition towards a new way to live on Earth”, that “we are experiencing the collapse of the mega-systems”, and that “the new planetary community is making a fundamental system-change” . A central feature that distinguishes Tamera from other ecovillages and communities, is its focus on social issues regarding community, love, sexuality and partnership. Their belief is that all/most societal challenges in contemporary society (war, violence, ecological destruction, inequality, etc.) originate in difficulties within human relations, and that it is necessary to deal with these human relations first, in order to solve these societal challenges (Kunze & Avelino 2015).<br />
<br />
While many ecovillage residents have been involved in antagonistic power dynamics manifested in contentious protest movements, the predominant approach of the Global Ecovillage Network seems to be one of cooperation and synergy. This is illustrated by e.g. co-founding the meta-network ECOLISE, the organisation of the European Day of Sustainable Communities which aims to inform and engage a wider audience in community-led sustainability, and the collaboration with the European Economic and Social Council to co-organise a ‘learning-conference’ on Citizens and municipalities – Building sustainability through collaboration. The overall tone is that of communities and citizens being ‘equal’ partners for (local) governments, together challenging the power of multinational companies or (inter)national policies that are seen to be ecologically and socially harmful. At the same time, however, at the local level, the relation between ecovillages and municipalities is often a particularly challenging one, with considerably conflicts over land use planning, construction regulations or other issues (see for instance the TRANSIT case-study on Ecovillage Bergen’s development and its challenges with local government around land-use and construction regulations). <br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
Ecovillages have transformative potential in the sense that they “empower communities of people to live alternative lifestyles according to their own values, despite many structural barriers in the mainstream societal context. Not only does the ecovillage movement provide residents with increased access to existing resources, they also empower them to create and invent new resources, such as new technologies, new currencies (e.g. interest free currency) and new natural resources. Rather than having to ‘buy’ or ‘compete’ over existing resources, ecovillage residents develop and create their own. By doing so, they fundamentally change existing power relations in that the one-sides dependency on existing industries or governments for having access to such resources, is replaced by a situation of independence” (Avelino & Kunze 2015). <br />
<br />
On the one hand, ecovillages can be seen as standing outside mainstream society and supplementing dominant structures & institutions, rather than challenging, altering or replacing them. Many ecovillage “create an entire new social context by forming new communities from which new structures and institutions emerge; as the community develops in time, new norms, new rules and new traditions are established” (Avelino & Kunze 2009). <br />
<br />
n the other hand, these innovations can also be seen as challenging existing structures in the sense that these different ecovillage experiments are being spread and shared across the world and used to create new approaches and standards and to reconsider existing ones, be it in construction, energy, land-use, community-planning, agriculture or financing. By demonstrating that alternative forms of living are not only possible but already happening, they are challenging existing structures and power relations in current energy, food, water and housing systems. Moreover, they do not only challenge existing regimes in specific functional systems, but also underlying dominant landscape trends in the broader societal context, such as a neo-liberal paradigm, a drive for economic growth, individualism, materialism, consumerism, acceleration, privatization, formalization, centralisation, and so on. As argued by Lara Monticelli (2018), the ecovillage movement is focused on ‘prefiguring’ their future vision, i.e. “embody their ultimate goals and their vision of a future society through their ongoing social practices, social relations, decision-making philosophy and culture” and “not only opposing capitalism but also prefiguring post-capitalist societies. These movements are re-thinking and re-politicising conventional modes of production, consumption and living by defending, restoring and creating spaces of resistance and experimentation” (Monticelli 2018: 509-515). <br />
<br />
At a closer look, besides the many activist and grassroots alternatives, ecovillages also do more explicit ‘institutional work’ in the sense that many/most ecovillages face conflicts with local governments or other authorities regarding zoning regulations, construction rules, collective ownership and (home)schooling. These struggles, and the resulting escalations, concessions and/or resolutions thereof, set important precedents and for future eco-community initiatives. By doing so, the ecovillage movement has a transformative potential to empower community-led initiatives by challenging the dominance of the formalised and centralised structures of both market and state-led organisations (Avelino & Wittmayer 2019).<br />
<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=559Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:47:21Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>THIS WIKI-page is under construction! References & hyperlinks are still to be added.<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. The [https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network] defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
Estimations on how many ecovillages exist in the world today highly depend on (self-appropriated) definitions and vary from 4.000 to 15.000 ecovillages (Jackson 2004, Kasper & Schyndel 2008). The Global Ecovillage Network mentions over 1.000 ecovillages across the world. The Eurotopia directory (1998-2014) indicate a high fluctuation and increase in projects who call themselves ecovillage. 90% of these new community attempts are reported to fail in the first 5 years, due to the challenges of finding affordable land and planning permissions, and to maintain self-sustaining economies (Dawson 2006, Avelino & Kunze 2009).<br />
<br />
Ecovillages often function as ‘experimental gardens’ (Kunze 2012) to experiment with a diversity of approaches to tackle ecological sustainability and/or social justice, ranging from permaculture, ecological construction of houses (e.g. strawbale houses, earthships, and low-tech technological innovation in e.g. renewable energy), to experiments with alternative decision-making formats such as sociocracy (see e.g. TRANSIT case-study on Ecovillage Bergen) or alternative modes of (non-violent) communication and community-building. <br />
<br />
Ecovillages come in many shapes, sizes and sorts. If we exclude traditional villages (which are often much larger), the size of intentional ecovillage communities range anywhere between 8 to 250 residents. More importantly, however, are the many visitors that temporarily visit and work in ecovillages. Most ecovillages have an explicit aim to contribute to the transferability of their approaches and “act as centres of research, demonstration and (in most cases) training” (Dawson, 2006). Many ecovillages are a member of the Global Ecovillage Network, which was founded in 1995 as a bottom up network for education, exchange of experiences and political lobby work and has branches on each continent and many national networks. Within these international, regional and national networks, ecovillages share the insights from their ecological, technological, economic and social experiments at events and through the open source Solution Library. <br />
<br />
Examples of ecovillages:<br />
<br />
Cloughjordan ecovillage is based in Ireland. Its first houses were built in 2009 and it currently includes “55 low-carbon homes, Ireland's lowest ecological footprint, a carbon-neutral district heating system, a community farm, green enterprise centre, and a planned reed bed treatment plant” (Transformative Cities Atlas of Utopia). <br />
<br />
Tamera ecovillage was founded in 1995 and is now inhabited by 170 people who live and work on a site of 330 acres/ 134 located 20kms off the west coast in the Alentejo region in southern Portugal. In addition to the permanent community, there are hundreds of guests who temporarily live and work in Tamera. (TRANSIT case-study, Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
Ecovillage Schloss Tempelhof which was started in 2007, has located in the Jagstregion, a rural area in Southern Germany, state of Baden-Württemberg, and has grown from 20 to 140 Inhabitants in only three years with a site of 32ha (4ha Buildings, 27ha agrarian land incl. 1ha forest). The Tempelhof foundation owns the property and all residents are voting members. (TRANSIT case-study,, cf. CTP database or Kunze 2015).<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=558Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:46:43Z<p>Flor Avelino: /* Shapes, sizes and applications */</p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. The [https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network] defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
Estimations on how many ecovillages exist in the world today highly depend on (self-appropriated) definitions and vary from 4.000 to 15.000 ecovillages (Jackson 2004, Kasper & Schyndel 2008). The Global Ecovillage Network mentions over 1.000 ecovillages across the world. The Eurotopia directory (1998-2014) indicate a high fluctuation and increase in projects who call themselves ecovillage. 90% of these new community attempts are reported to fail in the first 5 years, due to the challenges of finding affordable land and planning permissions, and to maintain self-sustaining economies (Dawson 2006, Avelino & Kunze 2009).<br />
<br />
Ecovillages often function as ‘experimental gardens’ (Kunze 2012) to experiment with a diversity of approaches to tackle ecological sustainability and/or social justice, ranging from permaculture, ecological construction of houses (e.g. strawbale houses, earthships, and low-tech technological innovation in e.g. renewable energy), to experiments with alternative decision-making formats such as sociocracy (see e.g. TRANSIT case-study on Ecovillage Bergen) or alternative modes of (non-violent) communication and community-building. <br />
<br />
Ecovillages come in many shapes, sizes and sorts. If we exclude traditional villages (which are often much larger), the size of intentional ecovillage communities range anywhere between 8 to 250 residents. More importantly, however, are the many visitors that temporarily visit and work in ecovillages. Most ecovillages have an explicit aim to contribute to the transferability of their approaches and “act as centres of research, demonstration and (in most cases) training” (Dawson, 2006). Many ecovillages are a member of the Global Ecovillage Network, which was founded in 1995 as a bottom up network for education, exchange of experiences and political lobby work and has branches on each continent and many national networks. Within these international, regional and national networks, ecovillages share the insights from their ecological, technological, economic and social experiments at events and through the open source Solution Library. <br />
<br />
Examples of ecovillages:<br />
<br />
Cloughjordan ecovillage is based in Ireland. Its first houses were built in 2009 and it currently includes “55 low-carbon homes, Ireland's lowest ecological footprint, a carbon-neutral district heating system, a community farm, green enterprise centre, and a planned reed bed treatment plant” (Transformative Cities Atlas of Utopia). <br />
<br />
Tamera ecovillage was founded in 1995 and is now inhabited by 170 people who live and work on a site of 330 acres/ 134 located 20kms off the west coast in the Alentejo region in southern Portugal. In addition to the permanent community, there are hundreds of guests who temporarily live and work in Tamera. (TRANSIT case-study, Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
Ecovillage Schloss Tempelhof which was started in 2007, has located in the Jagstregion, a rural area in Southern Germany, state of Baden-Württemberg, and has grown from 20 to 140 Inhabitants in only three years with a site of 32ha (4ha Buildings, 27ha agrarian land incl. 1ha forest). The Tempelhof foundation owns the property and all residents are voting members. (TRANSIT case-study,, cf. CTP database or Kunze 2015).<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=557Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:46:15Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. The [https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network] defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=556Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:45:19Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
[https://urban-arena.eu/ UrbanA] <br />
<br />
Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. The Global Ecovillage Network defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=555Ecovillages2019-09-18T11:42:02Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
Ecovillages are communities where people aim to live in harmony with each other and with nature. The Global Ecovillage Network defines an ecovillage as an “intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate its social and natural environments” (Website GEN 2017). While this definition explicitly includes traditional villages, we in this Wiki-page focus on the intentional community version of ecovillages in both (peri-)urban and rural areas. The Foundation for Intentional Community defines an intentional community as “a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values”, which includes ecovillages, but also cohousing, cooperative houses, communes and other shared living arrangements. <br />
<br />
While there are many fundamental differences between all hundreds/ thousands of specific ecovillage projects across the world, there is an overall shared approach that can be characterised as living in community with several connected households, engaging in collective life-style change striving for (more) socio-ecological justice and participation, and very often the collective ownership of land and (some of the) houses. The TRANSIT research project includes a number of case-studies on ecovillages and the Global Ecovillage Network as manifestations of social innovation in the sense that they explicitly engage with changing social relations, involving new ways of doing, thinking and organising (Kunze & Avelino 2015). <br />
<br />
The Pathways project includes a case-study of Bromarf ecovillage in Finland as an example of alternative “transition pathways as patterns of changes in socio-technical systems unfolding over time that lead to a fundamental reconfiguration of technologies, business models and production systems, as well as the preferences and behaviour of consumers”. <br />
<br />
The Transformative Cities initiative features Cloughjordan ecovillage in its Atlas of Utopias as an example of “inspiring stories of communities challenging entrenched power and boldly developing alternatives” and “cases [that] show how public solutions, based on principles of cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and private profit, have been more successful in meeting people’s basic needs - and, perhaps just as importantly, in creating a spirit of confidence and empowerment that strengthen communities for many other challenges”.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Transition_towns&diff=384Transition towns2019-09-10T10:00:20Z<p>Flor Avelino: Created page with "Provide short introduction here ==General introduction to approach== Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref> ==Shapes, sizes and applications== ==Relation to UrbanA themes..."</p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
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==References==<br />
<references /><br />
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[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=64Ecovillages2019-07-10T10:27:34Z<p>Flor Avelino: </p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
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==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Ecovillages]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelinohttps://wiki.sustainablejustcities.eu/index.php?title=Ecovillages&diff=56Ecovillages2019-07-10T10:25:59Z<p>Flor Avelino: added template</p>
<hr />
<div>Provide short introduction here<br />
<br />
==General introduction to approach==<br />
Test reference<ref> Test reference</ref><br />
<br />
==Shapes, sizes and applications==<br />
<br />
==Relation to UrbanA themes: Cities, sustainability, and justice==<br />
<br />
==Narrative of change==<br />
<br />
==Transformative potential==<br />
<br />
==Summary of relevant approaches==<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
[[Category: Clusters of approaches]]<br />
[[Category: Approaches]]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:TRANSIT]]</div>Flor Avelino