Abstract
Ecocities can provide solutions for the improvement of human settlements around the world and the living conditions therein, but in the authors’ experience, only as long as they are able to address the following questions correctly: How to formulate an ecocity concept that, considering issues of general concern, can be at the same time adapted to different local conditions? What are the instruments supporting the development and implementation of ecocity solutions? VTT’s EcoCity concept for sustainable community and neighbourhood regeneration and development has been designed in response to the first question. Likewise, specific methodologies and effective facilitation processes and skills have been developed in response to the second question. Since the methodologies have been discussed in a previous scientific article, the present one focuses on the facilitation processes and skills, and also on other related, fundamental aspects like participation, adaptation, capacity building, etc. Facilitation processes supporting EcoCity development require matching “hard” and “soft” skills in a fluid way. The main findings are discussed with the help of two case studies: one in Medellín (Colombia), and the other one in Zambia.
Highlights
According to the recently adopted New Urban Agenda, the world’s urban population is expected to double by 2050 [1] increasing even more the pressure on cities in relation to affordable housing, adequate infrastructures, public transport, employment, access to services, food security, environmental quality, etc
Even though the concrete facilitation processes followed to support the development of locally adapted EcoCity solutions will be described through two case studies, Medellín and Zambia, a more general perspective seems necessary at this point
To start with they vary in scale: in Medellín the focus was on the city and the municipality, whereas in Zambia the focus was on the country as a whole
Summary
According to the recently adopted New Urban Agenda, the world’s urban population is expected to double by 2050 [1] increasing even more the pressure on cities in relation to affordable housing, adequate infrastructures, public transport, employment, access to services, food security, environmental quality, etc. Since the methodologies have been discussed in a previous scientific article, the present one focuses on the facilitation processes and skills, and on other related, fundamental aspects like participation, adaptation, capacity building, etc. It can be considered a follow-up article trying to contribute to the practical side of the ecocity debate. The methodology followed consists of establishing a link between the consolidated knowledge on facilitation and two cases studies, one in Medellín (Colombia) and the other in Zambia, to illustrate its importance as means of engaging the community with making more sustainable choices at different scales (country, region, municipality, city, neighbourhood, etc). Even though this is obviously a desirable outcome, it was not the main aim of the case studies presented here and its achievement depends on, among other reasons, finding available sources of financing
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