Social sustainability is overlooked in mainstream sustainability debates. What does it take to create new communities that work socially, as well as economically and environmentally?

1. “Where are the people?”
Tricia Hackett & Saffron Woodcraft -
Future Communities at the Young Foundation
Presentation to Eco-Towns Development Group
23 June 2011

2. About the Young Foundation
• Named after Lord Michael Young, called “the world‟s
most successful entrepreneur of social enterprises”
and co-author of Labour‟s 1945 election manifesto.
• Our core work is researching social needs and
developing practical and innovative solutions to
address them. We have a 55-year track record in
innovation in areas including health, education,
ageing, communities, and families.
• Responsible for starting scores of successful ventures
and organisations including the Open University,
NHS Direct and Which? Magazine.

3. The great challenge of the 21st century:
mastering ecological and social design

4. “Social sustainability is largely
neglected in mainstream sustainability
debates … “
Manzi et al, Social Sustainability in Urban Areas:
Communities, Connectivity and the Urban Fabric, 2010

5. “Positive planning: a new focus on driving
sustainable development”
“Focus on „keeping vital environmental protections‟
is to become cornerstone of more streamlined
planning system”
DCLG, 15 June 2011

9. What is a community?
The mainstream view
• Governance
• Social and Cultural
• Housing & the built
environment
• Economy
• Environmental
• Services
• Transport & Connectivity
Source: Egan Review: skills for sustainable communities, 2004

10. Our starting point: an alternative view
• Physical boundaries to promote
geographical identity
• Rules and laws specific to the area, e.g.
car free areas
• Local myths & stories
• Visible leadership
• Strong social relationships, networks &
bonds
• Rituals and rhythms
• Possibly shared belief system, e.g.
garden cities, new towns, eco-cities

11. Amenities and
Social Infrastructure
Amenities AND support services in place early
in life of new community – emphasis on schools,
social spaces, transport & community workers
Social and Cultural Life
Shared spaces, collective activities
and social architecture to foster local
networks, belonging and community
identity
Voice and Influence
Governance structures to
represent future residents and
engage new ones in shaping local
decision-making and stewardship
Space to Grow
Flexible planning;
housing, infrastructure &
services that can adapt
over-time; meanwhile use
of buildings and public
space
Figure 1: Illustration of Design for Social Sustainability Framework, Young Foundation, 2011

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

13. 2. Social and cultural life
• Community identity &
belonging
• Tolerance, respect,
engagement
• Pro-social behaviour
• Good design supporting
social life

14. 3. Voice & influence
• Giving voice and influence
at the planning stage
• Shaping opportunities for
influence
• Maintaining structures
and initiatives for the long
term

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

16. •How can developers and agencies
anticipate what future residents will
need?
•Who can represent these views?
•What kind of governance structures
are appropriate?

17. HafenCity, Hamburg
•Large-scale new residential &
commercial quarter
•Uses principles of
environmental psychology to
ensure it becomes a place
where people will want to
work and play
Photo: Spiegel Online, 2010

20. Photo: Spiegel Online, 2010

21. “You can‟t have a totally structured
place and then just expect people to fit
in … but nor will it work if everything is
totally open to interpretation.”
Marcus Menzl, sociologist, HafenCity

22. Lessons from City Nord
“The architecture was
award winning – but
the lifestyle? There‟s
more going on at local
cemeteries.”
SPIEGEL, 2010
Photo: Spiegel Online, 2010

23. “Research has been going on for five
years now. It is a learning process
with no blueprint.”
Jurgen Bruns-Berentelg
HafenCity Hamburg GmbH, 2010

24. Arkwright Town Relocation
•Forced relocation of Plaque to commemorate the site of
former Arkwright Town
100-year old village
•Study highlights
importance of place in
individual identity
•Five factors that can
facilitate development of
emotional attachment
(The contributor of this photos is Peter Barr)

25. The AVDC commissioned
research on what lessons
can be learnt about the
experience of settling in a
new community for
residents; and how can those
lessons be transferred to Buckingham Park,
Aylesbury ,Vale
other new developments?

26. Transferable Lessons
•Early provision of infrastructure
•Informal governance and
participations structures 3,000 new homes to be built at
Berryfields, Aylesbury Vale
•Using temporary ‘meanwhile
space’ to address short term needs,
priorities and interests
•Creating forums for information
and exchange
•Space to grow (e.g. community
allotments, sufficient schools places)

27. What does this mean in practice?

28. Choosing the right structure
•Clear purpose:
•Engagement, voice, influence or social
capital?
•Representative or participative structure?
•Voice or real power – devolved budgets?
•Resident seats on multi-agency partnership?
•Time-limited and action focused?
•Long-term growth and development?

30. Our challenges
• Put people first - change the way places are planned,
designed, built and managed
• Synthesise & integrate thinking about social
sustainability - to professional practice across all
agencies and stakeholders involved in creating new cities
and communities
•New financial models – change the focus on short term
returns and focus on long term stewardship

33. For more information about Future Communities
contact:
saffron.woodcraft@youngfoundation.org
tricia.hackett@youngfoundation.org

34. About the Young Foundation
The Young Foundation brings together insight, innovation and
entrepreneurship to meet social needs.
We have a 55-year track record of success with ventures such as the
Open University, Which?, the School for Social Entrepreneurs and
Healthline (the precursor of NHS Direct).
We work across the UK and internationally – carrying out research,
influencing policy, creating new organisations and supporting others
to do the same, often with imaginative uses of new technology.
www.youngfoundation.org