Community Vitality: A Thematic exploration through detailed literature reviews

Investigation

Definitions (1) Is it more than jargon? Feeling really "alive" Possessing enthusiasm and spirit Autonomy and self-actualization Agency (feeling capable of effecting action) Feeling capable of effecting action Chi the source of life, creativity, harmony Energy and power Physical, mental, and spiritual health Strength of communities thriving Happiness, well-being Life satisfaction, feeling autonomous and being resilient Community Capital

Definitions (2)

Key concepts (1) Competent communities o identifying the problems and needs of the community o achieving a working consensus on goals and priorities o developing a collective capacity to solve problems Community openness and trust Connection with people and place Ecological carrying capacity Stable funding and leadership Change stimulates social innovation and creativity leading to community action Strong, active, meaningful and inclusive relationships between residents, private sector, public sector and civil society organizations working to foster vibrant communities Social innovation

Key concepts (2) From psychology: Vitality is not the everyday but rather an episodic specialness, a peak experience available to everyone yet not necessarily experienced by everyone. From ecology: Vitality is interdependent with the overall health of its natural environment. From ethnolinguistics: Vitality includes an aspect of autonomy or self- actualization allowing the expression of one's nature. From other cultures: Vitality has all of the dimensions of the life form which expresses it- in humans its manifestation includes physical, emotional, social, intellectual and aesthetics.

Built environment

Public space (fundamental element of democracy, that of the public sphere) Democracy Tactile Space - speed, time, smell Edges (irregularity) Accessibility (poverty, gender, power, distance, conflict, class, race) Diversity Dead Space Ideas

Paddington River Gardens Sydney, Australia

Dead spaceDead space

Green (vital) space

Integration

Health Healthy and vibrant communities are adaptable, flexible and resilient Proactive and reactive by planning for the long term while still remaining ready for uncertain or unanticipated challenges Strong relationship between health and planning - need integrated policy development Creativity, partnerships and trans-disciplinary relationships are necessary for sustainable development Identity with and participation in community are key social factors that are interconnected The built environment has have a negative impact on air, water and land if there are no reasonably convenient transportation alternatives in a sprawling settlement pattern Social resilience can be measured using indicators such as the variability of income, stability of livelihoods, wealth distribution, demographic change and affordability Clustering housing protects sensitive ecosystem functions and services and allows for more efficient and centralized amenities

Other models How aggregate/non-aggregate bottom-up/top-down quantitative/qualitative Why monitoring and measuring enlightenment forecasting

Prosperity Index

Children and Vitality It is getting harder and harder to be a kid Key aspects that affect the well-being of children Freedom to explore Agency and autonomy Invisibility Creativity Physical, mental and spiritual health Security Access to the natural environment Social engagement Family Structure Poverty

Elderly A rapidly increasing population demographic Key aspects that affect the well-being of the elderly Sense of community Social capital (diverse network formation) Autonomy and dependence Isolation and invisibility Income Access to public green-space Physical mobility and physical barriers Health Fear of crime Access to physical services and public services

Social Capital (1) What is social capital? Values, norms, social trust and networks that facilitate coordination and cooperation Resources linked to a strong network Bonding, bridging and vertical ties Connections built up over time and are transferred over generations Civic participation, volunteering Supporting arts and culture Optimism Hope for the future Social trust (not organic where large inequalities between the rich and poor exist) Democracies can promote trust when people believe they can work together to create fundamental change Connectivity

Social Capital (2) Strong correlation between individual level of education and their economic status to levels of social capital Link between employment and civic participation Decline in overall civic engagement worldwide has occurred disproportionately between the rich and poor Social capital may be a dependent variable for greater equity Erosion of social capital due to loss of connectivity Relationship between social and physical infrastructure Lack of / inaccessible public transit Declining natural environments Lack of space for reflection

Social Capital (3) Temporal Considerations Laptops, Blackberries, iPhones and are impacting work/life balance Patterns of time use are affected by social and economic opportunity Canadians are spending less time on social leisure and volunteer activities Thick versus shallow relationships

References The following papers will be published beginning at the end of January 2011, every month for twelve consecutive months at Community Vitality: the concept Community Vitality Index Methodology Review Existing measures of Community Vitality Governance and Community Vitality Community Vitality and Green Spaces: a cross-cutting theme Community Vitality and the Built Environment Community Vitality and Biodiversity Community Vitality and Health Community Vitality and Resilience Community Vitality and the Well-Being of Children Community Vitality and the Elderly Community Vitality and Social Capital