Cities are developing at an alarming rate. Between buildings and city centers, formerly lush and thriving communities in the Philippines suffer from over development. But as concerns about environmental issues like climate change and pollution grow, it does not only fall to a few people to go green and make more sustainable choices.
As a homeowner, building a sustainable community begins with your own house and home. Still, as part of an interconnected system, the community where you dwell affects many of the sustainable choices you make.
Would you consider yours a sustainable community? Read on to learn about its intricacies and the key elements that make it thrive toward an improved quality of life for all.
What is a Sustainable Community?
Dreamy as it sounds, a sustainable community is more than its safe and healthy surroundings.
While built with the environment in mind, a community of this nature also thrives economically and socially. As the Institute of Sustainable Communities puts it, it is a healthy and resilient community where all its citizens have access to basic needs, a strong economy, and career opportunities.
Think of an inclusive and self-sufficient community geared for the long term, where resources are enough to meet current needs with plenty left for future generations.
Discover how to create a sustainable community today by identifying the elements that make it possible and where you fit into the mix.
Elements of a Sustainable Community
A sustainable community does not happen overnight. From a long-term perspective, a community must undergo environmental, economic, and social transformation to achieve sustainability.
Here’s to visualizing the future of communities! Checklists at the ready. Here are some elements of this type of community.
High Quality of Life
What is a sustainable community if not made to provide its members access to a high quality of life?
From preserving the environment to its resident’s health, safety, and well-being, residents should have access to:
- Range of housing options
- Affordable and accessible local healthcare and social services
- Community activities for all ages
- Quality education in top-performing schools and colleges
Environmental Quality and Accessibility to Green Spaces
Sustainable communities are not just built with nature in mind, but all activities should work around its environment.
Part of it includes reducing the impact of human activities and making more environment-conscious choices, including:
- Building sustainable or green homes
- Observing energy and water conservation measures and urban planning
- Promoting sustainable production and consumption
- Fostering cleaner, safer, and greener neighborhoods
Economic Security
Strong and equally sustainable communities flourish with a diverse and viable local economy.
This includes tapping into a stable and thriving economic base, offering residents a range of opportunities:
- Various jobs, trainings, or on-the-job education for all
- Strong business community to generate employment
- Dynamic job and business creation to secure families and livelihoods
- Economically viable and attractive town centers
Effective Leader, Civic Engagement, and Responsibility
Even in sustainable communities, community development would not be possible without effective and inclusive leadership, where citizens are represented, engaged, and involved.
Making the presence of the following important in a thriving community:
- Political stability and partnership between sectors
- Engagement and capacity building at the neighborhood level
- Strong and inclusive voluntary sector
- Access to up-to-date and reliable information
Disaster Resilience
A sustainable community does not only prevent disaster but is also resilient against incoming or possible hazards.
Resilience is built by equipping communities with:
- Accessible emergency response systems and disaster predictors
- Evacuation sites and disaster response training for all
- Existing and active aid and relief organizations and crisis response plans
- Readily available emergency resources
Social Well-being and Inter-generational Equity
Sustainable communities are not just built like one but are also considerate of all residents’ and tenants’ well-being.
This includes providing communities with equal access to opportunities and resources, as well as:
- Respecting individuals’ rights and social backgrounds
- Recognizing future aspirations of sustainability
- Regarding the needs of future generations in current decisions and actions
- Developing and optimizing a reliable food and water supply
- Including the underprivileged in education, health, and housing
Sustainable Communities Made Possible with Balai Bayi
Contributing to a sustainable community is now within your reach. At Balai Bayi, we envision a well-designed and planned community built with a long-term perspective. Did we mention environmental quality as our top priority? Explore our design consultancy services today, and together, let’s explore the possibilities for your home and your community!