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living close to you
With the world population exploding, so is living in close communities a bad thing?
In theory no. As a species, we have evolved through age by unification and collaboration. This enabled development of the whole human race but also the greater empowerment of certain races (Game of Thrones anyone?).
However, the more advanced we have become as individuals (i.e. richer, healthier, more educated), the more disparate and self-interested we have become. And, people are increasingly mobile which brings constant change.
Creating any community requires a buy-in. You have to participate, there has to be interest and commitment beyond your own interests. Most importantly, there has to be a common purpose to unite everyone. Much easier to achieve when everyone has relatively equal status.
Despite our nation’s increasing prosperity however the UK has more social issues than ever before. Witness the level of homelessness, demand for food banks, mental and general health decline, crime and issues of disconnection and exclusion. Close community living will not change this - in many areas it has worsened it.
So how can this be changed? Do we all want to and how much?
The UN set out a plan back in 1992 called Agenda 21 to action a global partnership for sustainable development, to improve human lives and protect the environment.
This action plan has since evolved and in 2015, 17 specific goals were agreed internationally, Sustainable Development Goals, to combat world issues around poverty, health, education, the environment and economic stability.
For the built environment, Goal 11 of Agenda 2030 requires that cities and human settlements are made inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. However, our leaders, legislators and policy makers need to fully embrace all the goals in every decision and every legislation made, to ensure a cohesive approach to making progress in Goal 11. And then be accountable for it (and yes there is a process for that called the Social Progress Index).
So there has to be change and in a way that everyone can buy into (i.e. put aside their self-interest) - a common purpose, uniting ordinary people who can propagate and accelerate it. It’s not a quick fix but interestingly neither is it dependent on wealth. The key currency is the will of the people who want to see change, the willingness to work together, and the pressure they put on their leaders to make those changes.
So the answer to the question is possibly: no, close community living is not a bad thing, providing our leaders create the right environment for people to live and thrive, equally. To help them do this, people like you and me need to have this common purpose - in our everyday lives and in the work we do. Our industry in particular has enormous capacity to influence, educate and facilitate for the good of all – stand up and participate.
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