Purpose Built Communities’ Post

Gratitude to all for your steadfast support! Our recent journey of over 2000 kilometres brought us to Walkerville Town Hall, South Australia, where we joined the Dead Set Expo—a heartfelt event aligned with #dyingtoknowday, a noble initiative by The Groundswell Project Australia. In this context, a "groundswell" embodies our community's unwavering dedication, collective energy, and collaborative ethos. The movement takes root organically, gaining momentum as more people engage and contribute. What sets this movement apart is its sustainability, initiated by the people directly affected by the challenges. Collaborators have stepped up to enable our community to navigate our growth journey and craft innovative solutions tailored to local needs. In essence, within the inside-out, bottom-up asset-based community development framework, a "groundswell" symbolises an impactful grassroots uprising driven by our community's strengths and resources. To echo Lao Tsu, 'when the work is done, the task is accomplished, the people will say, "We did it ourselves."' Such strides towards positive change and sustainable development are pivotal, and it's a path we're deeply committed to walking. #communityengagement #socialimpact #sustainabledevelopment #collaborativeefforts #enable #grassrootsmovements #abcd #localstrengths #togetherwecan #inspiringchange

🌇 Cedar Heights Unbound: Crafting Unity in Our Streets 🌇 Deep in the fabric of the city lies Cedar Heights, a neighborhood that’s stood for three decades yet remained a collection of houses rather than a community. It was time for a change, time to awaken the vibrant spirit I knew lived in every corner and every heart of this neighborhood. The Spark of Transformation: The mission was clear from the get-go: to transform Cedar Heights from a mere geographic location to a living, breathing community where every voice is heard, and every hand is held. This wasn’t about changing an area; it was about unlocking the potential of its people. From Strangers to Neighbors: The first step was to bridge the gaps. We rolled up our sleeves and got down to the grassroots, initiating real conversations, sharing stories, and building trust. This was about laying down the foundation for a community where everyone feels at home. The Pulse of the Community: Through collective efforts, we saw the transformation unfold. Block parties turned isolated individuals into a united community, community gardens blossomed from barren lands, symbolizing growth and togetherness, and neighborhood meetings became the stage for voices that had long been silenced. Today’s Cedar Heights: Now, Cedar Heights is alive with the energy of its residents. It’s a place where the youth play freely, neighbors connect genuinely, and the essence of unity fills the air. This is the Cedar Heights we envisioned, a community bound by solidarity and mutual respect. The Legacy We Build: Cedar Heights’ journey is a testament to the power of collective action and shared vision. It stands as a beacon, showing that with perseverance and unity, any neighborhood can redefine itself. The Invitation: I extend a call to each of you. Let’s take this spirit beyond Cedar Heights. Engage, connect, and contribute. Together, we have the power to transform spaces into communities, houses into homes, and individuals into families. #UnityInCedarHeights #StrengthInCommunity #EmpowermentThroughEngagement #LegacyBuilding #TogetherAsOne

I was pleased to attend an initial Wavertree High Street Partnership meeting last night. Instigating such a group was a recommendation from the High Street Task Force work by Steve Millington, jim fox and Afroditi Maria Kazakou. The discussion and priorities for the group included boosting the pride people have for the area, making it a safer and more welcoming place, and encouraging more visitors to the high street through events. We also discussed building on the recent blue plaque installation of George Harrison by Historic England, and thinking about how we can enhance the role of the conservation area. We also heard about contact with Joe Barratt from Institute of Place Management about a Teenage Market! The thing that really stood out was the trust in the room. We had the council, councillors, community businesses, and residents. The High Streets Task Force report for the area: "the vast amounts of expertise" within the local community, and we had conservation specialists, planning consultants, and governance experts in the room. All people who live locally and want to help improve where they live. I am not surprised; in communities all over the country we have amazing people who want to make a difference. Join your local civic society to find out! . People in places are such an untapped resource to build capacity. The Wavertree High Street Partnership is an organic approach that is built on 4-5 years of trust that has been created locally by active citizens. So, what has enabled this partnership to develop? It was the work of The Wavertree Society responding to a negative news article and convening a public meeting in 2019, which led to the creation of #LoveWavertreeCIC. This triggered hundreds of activities including events and litter picks, local companies such as Virtuopo offering funding support, an MP who has built relationships with community groups, a new councillor who lives in the area, and more recently, the appointment of a new council officer in a 'place-based role.' Key individuals in positions that need to be working together. No one person or organisation can do it all. The meeting yesterday was the result of a number of years, not because the Government decided some funding was available. We need to create/cultivate the ingredients for a successful partnership, long before the partnership starts. Finally, I am hoping a new Government recognises the power of people in places when considering further devolution and who needs to be in the discussion. We will get better policy outcomes if we do.

It starts with Co! People have been all but removed from conventional property creating, whether that’s buy to let, HMO’s, new build. Whatever it is, the tenant or buyer just isn’t asked. Even those who live in the same neighbourhood aren’t asked. For some people that’s ok, they just get on with it. For us, we’ve built a business around doing the opposite. Co for us is all about community. If you want to live in one, and make choices along the way about where, what type of property, how it looks, what amenity spaces it has, how you live your life there, then you should know all of that is now available. Not just by us either. It’s potential the biggest shift in how we create and own housing. It’s not for everyone, and that’s ok. But you have to start somewhere. 👇

For NAPC Board Member, Sarah Cody, the question of "Why?" is "an on-going, necessary question that always ties back to community building." Read more about Sarah's story, which she shared with us last year, below. Though I grew up in New England, surrounded by history, I really never considered the mechanisms of historic preservation or how it helped shape my apple-orchard filled suburb until I was an adult. I didn’t truly discover my “why” until recently, even though I’ve worked professionally in historic preservation for over 15 years. When I enrolled in a Landscape Architecture program in college, and I sat listening to lectures on plant selection, garden design, and stormwater management, I was unsure what I was doing there. Then we had a guest lecturer - the Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. She talked about the restoration of a statue in downtown Syracuse and suddenly everything clicked into place for me. That tangible connection to the past intrigued me. This newfound interest along with the values my mentor George W. Curry instilled in me - the importance of using your work to be of service to your community - led me to public service. Having just completed a decade as a public servant, I can honestly say I truly discovered my “why” just within the last few years. I recognize that am incredibly privileged, and I strongly believe that it is my duty as a public servant to use my education and professional position to utilize the power of our historic and cultural places to help create more resilient and equitable communities for the residents of Miami-Dade County. Continuing to ask myself “why” is something I find incredibly important to do throughout my work – why are we doing the work we are doing, who is it for, and who does it benefit? For me, historic preservation is less about history and more about community building. So for me, “why” is an on-going, necessary question that always ties back to community building. Join Sarah at FORUM 2024 during the Preservation Equity Roundtable on Friday, August 2nd. Register HERE: https://lnkd.in/dqhr6WuB #PreservationMonth #NAPCWhatsYourWhy #FORUMfridays #PreservationUnderthePalms #FORUM2024

LET'S BUILD TOGETHER >>> We believe in creating developments that thrive alongside the communities they serve. Our multidisciplinary team considers factors like greens spaces and traffic flow to ensure a positive impact. Learn more about our approach here https://hubs.ly/Q02wmBc70 #communitydevelopment #sustainabledevelopment #landdevelopment

We're pleased to be at the Building Garden Communities Conference today. Our Senior Researcher Hani Salih took part in an engaging discussion on the potential role of Build to Rent (BTR) development in Garden Towns. Here are some key insights that came up: - Richard B. highlighted how single-family housing can serve as a catalyst for diverse housing options within communities. - Jo Davis discussed the substantial £1.9 billion investment in single-family housing, emphasising its appeal for immediate occupancy and its potential to foster vibrant, legacy-driven communities. - David Reid underscored the potential of institutional ownership and management in ensuring the longevity and quality of BTR developments. - Eve Murzyn emphasised the importance of understanding local needs and engaging with local authorities from the outset to tailor BTR solutions to specific communities. - Hani Salih highlighted the significance of resident involvement and the integration of green spaces to foster community cohesion and a sense of belonging. It was suggested that BTR is a must-have because of the institutional capital it brings, its potential to create communities early on, and the possibilities it brings for providing a diverse mix of housing and tenure types and infrastructure. Plenty of food for thought, and we're looking forward to seeing how some of this plays out in the results of our current research into the social impact of BTR developments. #BuildToRent #GardenTowns #CommunityDevelopment #BTR #SocialImpact #Stewardship #UKHousing #ResidentialDevelopment

“Reflecting on the Impact of Elephant Park: Redefining Public Housing in the UK 🌍🏡 Recently, I’ve been captivated by the story of Elephant Park in London. It’s not just about buildings; it’s about weaving green spaces, energy efficiency, and a genuine sense of community into the fabric of urban living. This project is demonstrating how sustainable public housing can truly enhance our lives. Let’s talk about the real, human benefits – the shared gardens, the energy savings, and the stronger community bonds. Join me on LinkedIn to explore how initiatives like these shape our neighborhoods and foster a sense of belonging. #CommunityStories #SustainableLiving”

Ruxandra, one of ÎntreVecini's Community builders, shared with her organisation's innovative method to foster environmental sustainability and vibrant urban spaces by empowering neighbours and supporting long-lasting community initiatives. Read her story: https://ow.ly/3Upl50SpYyy