Belonging and identity in new communities

Slide 1 The Young Foundation 2010

Thinking Battersea: Connecting Debate

Planning flourishing and sustainable communities

Saffron Woodcraft

Communities & Housing Practice Leader

March 2011


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.


What does community mean in 2011?


A spectrum of neighbouring

Source: Kevin Harris, Local Level (2006)

Provocatively negative

(antisocial, disturbs norms

of privacy)

Passively negative

(no acknowledgement, maybe deliberate

avoidance, non-social, may imply isolation)

Passively positive

(non-committal acknowledgement,

accentuates privacy, ‘keep meself-to-

meself’)

Passively supportive

(recognition, hesitant inquiry, minimum

conversation, possible readiness to help in time

of need, not clarified)

Interactive and supportive

(expression of interest, readiness to help and

support in time of need is made clear,

balanced with sensitivity to personal

privacy)

Intrusive, ‘nosey’

(proactive interference –perceived or real –

excessive inquisitiveness, lack of sensitivity, disturbs norms of

privacy)

Most people are

here on the

spectrum

• 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

What is a community: an alternative view


Connecting new and existing communities


Common problems

1. Engaging existing residents

2. Emotional & social barriers

3. Creating neutral spaces

4. Engaging future residents


Exploring how to build a cohesive community with new and existing residents of Barking Riverside, East London


Territory and mobility

Feedback circuits

Family&friends

Power&politics

Economy

Religion and voluntary orgs

Home, neighbourhood &

physical environment


Nurturing new communities

Social infrastructure

Social and cultural life

Voice and influence

Space to grow

+ connection to local/ regional economy

+ green building, environmental

innovation, incentives for pro-environmental

behaviour


•Need for services and

support, not just buildings

•Early provision is crucial

•Lack of social infrastructure

affects community wellbeing

•Identity and reputation

1. Social infrastructure


• Community identity &

belonging

• Tolerance, respect,

engagement

• Pro-social behaviour

• Good design supporting

social life

2. Social and cultural life


3. Voice & influence

• Giving voice and influence

at the planning stage

• Shaping opportunities for

influence

• Maintaining structures

and initiatives for the long

term


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



For more information about Future Communities contact:

[email protected]@youngfoundation.org

www.neveragainfuturecommunities.wordpress.comwww.futurecommunities.netwww.youngfoundation.org

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.neveragainfuturecommunities.wordpress.com/

http://www.futurecommunities.net/

http://www.youngfoundation.org/


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



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Belonging and identity in new communities

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