A BBC documentary called the 'Great Storm That Saved a City' provides a fascinating insight not only into the storm itself, but how it played its part in transforming Glasgow’s housing and in particular how it sowed the seeds of the city’s community controlled housing associations. These tenant-led organisations have consistently argued for their governance to … Continue reading The power of the volunteer
11. Sustainable Cities & Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Why is this even tolerated?
Ten years after Greener Kirkcaldy began tackling disadvantage and inequality within their town, last week local people were celebrating the official opening of their new community hub. With purpose built premises, Greener Kirkcaldy can continue tackling food and fuel poverty in the town, but always with an eye to promoting Kirkcaldy as a greener and fairer place … Continue reading Why is this even tolerated?
Citizen Power
It’s an annual tradition for the Edinburgh Festival or the Fringe or both to declare that once again all box office records have been smashed - thereby reaffirming the City’s right to call itself the festival capital of the world. But this never-ending growth comes at quite a cost. The explosion of Airbnb properties disrupting … Continue reading Citizen Power
Map reading
Over the past decade or so, significant investment has come from Scottish Government in support of social enterprise and in that time a complex array of supporting infrastructure has evolved - all of it intended to help the sector grow. At times it’s been referred to as a ‘pipeline’ of support – inferring that an … Continue reading Map reading
Berlinners take action
No one doubts that many in places a housing crisis exists - there are not enough houses on the market to rent or buy at an affordable price. And thus far, it has been left to the market (with an occasional helping hand from government) to sort it out. But with little sign of any … Continue reading Berlinners take action
Ostrum public services
Elinor Ostrum is probably best well known for being the first and, to date, the only woman to have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics. Her most important work, backed up by a huge amount of empirical research, was aimed at proving that communities were more than capable of taking control of their own … Continue reading Ostrum public services
Significant growth for small towns and villages envisaged in NDP
New long-term planning blueprint sets realistic and sustainable approach to once-off homes Ireland’s new long-term planning blueprint envisages significant growth for Ireland’s smaller town and villages over the next 20 years, allied to a realistic and sustainable approach to once-off homes in the countryside. There are 154 towns with fewer than 10,000 people; 40 of … Continue reading Significant growth for small towns and villages envisaged in NDP
