Local Community Perspectives Research Articles

Social Acceptability of Critical and Strategic Minerals (CSMs) Development: A Systematic Review with a Particular Focus on Quebec, Canada

The social acceptability (SA) of mining projects is a crucial issue for the sustainable development of territories and local communities. This article aims to identify the issues and examine the factors influencing the SA of exploration, exploitation and processing projects of critical and strategic minerals (CSMs) in Quebec. A systematic review guided by the PRISMA approach was conducted, selecting 57 relevant documents after excluding several others. The results reveal that between 2000 and 2024, the publication of studies on SA in the mining sector has increased significantly, particularly since 2013. Research is mainly concentrated in North America, with a predominance of case studies. Their critical analysis indicates that the SA of mining projects is based on various issues, including the need for greater consideration of the perspectives of local communities, as well as open and inclusive communication between all stakeholders. However, SA is affected by various factors, including demographic, economic, environmental and governance, which can have positive or negative effects depending on the context. Following this analysis, future research should explore the complex interactions between these factors, determining how some may act as mediators or moderators in various contexts through real case studies.

Perceptions of stakeholders on the use of a simplified, combined protocol for treatment of acute malnutrition in Central African Republic.

Treatment of acute malnutrition requires novel approaches to improve coverage, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of standard protocols that separate the management of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The use of simplified, combined protocols to treat both MAM and SAM has drawn research and policy interest among global, regional and national stakeholders. However, the perspectives of local communities and health care workers regarding the use of protocols to treat acute malnutrition in a routine health care system are generally lacking. This was a cross-sectional mixed-methods study aimed at assessing the perceptions of different stakeholders on the use of a simplified, combined protocol in two districts in the Central African Republic. Most of the respondents preferred the simplified, combined protocol over the standard protocol. They generally agreed that the protocol was easy to understand, allowed more children to receive treatment and was effective in treating acute malnutrition. The protocol modifications were well received, including the expanded admission criteria, use of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) only for admission and discharge criteria and reduced and simplified ready-to-use therapeutic food quantity to treat MAM and SAM. Some caregivers expressed concern with the use of MUAC only to declare recovery, flagging that underlying illnesses could still be present. The caregivers recommended the provision of other food basket interventions to improve the treatment. The support by caregivers and health care workers on the idea of training community health volunteers to treat acute malnutrition points to the potential of scaling up decentralized treatment to increase coverage in remote areas.

Bone Estuary Protected Area for Sustainable “Nike” Fisheries: Local Communities and Fishers Perspectives

Objective: Providing information on the perspectives of local communities and fishers living around the nike fishing area regarding the Bone Estuary Protected Area implementation plan. Theoretical Framework: Previous studies have examined biology, ecology, socio-economics, and technology for catching nike resources in Gorontalo. Policy and regulation are also essential aspects that need to be implemented as a form of biodiversity and habitat conservation. Method: As the primary respondents, local communities and fishermen were directly involved in the Estuary Protected Area plan. Data collection was carried out through in-depth structured interviews and observations using questionnaires. Results and Discussion: The local community and fishermen agree with the Bone Estuary protection plan to maintain the sustainability of the nike fish. However, restrictions on fishing gear, time, and area have not been entirely accepted to preserve the nike population due to their ignorance of the importance of the nike life cycle in supporting population recruitment. Research Implications: This study serves as fundamental insights for stakeholders to develop and implement technical strategies to sustain nike fish resources by protecting the Bone Estuary. Engaging community or traditional leaders is crucial to facilitating communication between the government, scientists, and local residents, fostering responsible participation to ensure the success of the protected area. Originality/Value: Local communities and fishermen residing in the Bone Estuary area have expressed partial disagreement with implementing the Bone Estuary Protected Area plan.

Assessing the Polarising Impacts of Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods: A Community Perspective from Birmingham, UK.

Globally, the transport sector is a major contributor to air pollution. Currently, in the UK, vehicle emissions contribute significant amounts of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) pollution in urban areas. Low-emission-zone policies have been used as an intervention to tackle air pollution, and in this context, the UK launched the Low-Traffic Neighbourhood scheme. This study investigates the impacts of the Low-Traffic Neighbourhood in Kings Heath, Birmingham, UK, to evaluate its impact in reducing air pollution and local community perspectives about the scheme and perceived impacts on health and well-being. This study employs a mixed-method approach comprising an air-quality-monitoring assessment and a survey questionnaire involving 210 residents. The findings reveal an increase in active travel and a reduction in air pollution levels in the years after the implementation of the scheme, although the area is still non-compliant with the 2021 WHO air quality guidelines. Nonetheless, the scheme has a polarising effect and created a division within the local community about the overall scheme acceptance and spatial distribution of the scheme's benefits. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive baseline data, long-term community engagement, and integration with broader urban planning initiatives to enhance the success of future Low-Neighbourhood Traffic schemes.

Sustainable livelihood development and cultural preservation through agricultural tourism: local community perspectives from Dak Lak province, Vietnam

This study conducted in collaboration with the local community focused on sustainable agricultural tourism development in Dak Lak, Vietnam. Using a qualitative research method, we conducted in-depth interviews with 29 households and agricultural cooperatives, combined with case studies. The results showed that agricultural tourism, a product of our joint efforts, played a significant role in diversifying livelihood sources and contributing to the preservation of ethnic and cultural identity. However, the sustainable development of this sector was hindered by limitations in infrastructure, lack of investment and uneven management capacity. Based on these findings, we propose specific policies and solutions to promote sustainable agricultural tourism development and support rural communities in the context of economic transition.

Soil ecosystem services valuation in a priority terrestrial region for biodiversity conservation in Mexico, from ecological economics and the local community perspective

Soils, often perceived as merely the surface layer of Earth, play a crucial role as the foundation for terrestrial life and are deeply integrated into the worldviews, livelihoods and cultural practices of communities in Mexico. Mexican soils and the ecosystem services that provide are essential for food security and ecological resilience, especially amidst environmental challenges like climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss. Their conservation, restoration and sustainable management are essential to maintain the country's natural environment and to ensure the integral wellbeing of its inhabitants. This study evaluates the ecosystem services provided by soils in a priority area for biodiversity conservation in Mexico, adopting an approach that merges ecological economics perspectives with local community views. By understanding how residents of this region value their soils, this research highlights the ecological and economical significance of soils and their intrinsic cultural and social value within communities that have coexisted with these ecosystems for generations.

Maqashid Sharia as the Foundation of Religious Moderation and Resilience in Aceh's Border Communities

The implementation of Islamic law in Aceh over the past two decades has not only reflected the enforcement of Sharia but also illustrated the cultural and political dynamics of Acehnese society. As a region rich in customary law traditions and social pluralism, the response of Acehnese communities, particularly in multicultural border areas, to violations of Islamic law and its existence varies widely. Islamic law in Aceh is often interpreted through the lens of political identity and local culture, while the maqashid sharia values, such as the protection of life, property, and security have yet to be fully integrated into daily practices. This study employs an anthropological approach with qualitative methods. Data collection was conducted through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and narrative analysis of the experiences and perspectives of local communities. The study focuses on how communities construct, understand, and respond to Sharia as part of their social lives. The findings reveal that border communities in Aceh perceive Islamic law not only as a religious rule but also as a political identity symbol to reinforce their social standing, including in rejecting the construction of non-Muslim places of worship. However, the study also highlights a gap in understanding and applying maqashid sharia, attributed to limited socialization and cross-cultural dialogue. Nevertheless, Islamic law remains respected as a crucial element of the social structure, although its interpretation is often situational and contextual.

Enhancing Tourism Villages Through VRIN Resources and Local Endorsement: A Resource-Based View on Achieving Sdgs in Rural Development

Objective: This study aims to analyze the influence of local endorsement on VRIN resources as part of the resource-based view (RBV) framework, which together with non-VRIN resources influences competitive advantage and then BUMDes performance. Theoretical Framework: The RBV framework is often used to look at resources that influence a company's competitive advantage, which then affects business performance. In this study, the adoption of psychological empowerment as part of the Rural Empowerment through Tourism Scale is used to measure citizen involvement in the form of local endorsement. Method: The study used a quantitative approach with purposive sampling to obtain 657 research respondents according to the established criteria. Online questionnaires were used to be distributed to various BUMDes in Indonesia. Results and Discussion: The results of the study show the influence of local endorsement on VRIN resources, which then also affects competitive advantage. Competitive advantage affects BUMDes performance. The results of the study also show that non-VRIN resources do not affect competitive advantage. These results emphasize community involvement in generating competitive advantage for BUMDes-managed tourist villages. Research Implications: The results of the study show the importance of focusing on intangible assets to develop tourist villages. Building local endorsement is a way to encourage local communities to be involved in managing tourist villages through BUMDes. Originality/Value: The adoption of the psychological empowerment concept from RETS provides a new direction in the context of developing competitive advantages in tourist villages, especially from the perspective of local communities.

Decolonizing or Re-colonizing? Community members’ perspectives of global service learning programs

Global service learning (GSL) sits at the interdisciplinary intersection of international development and study abroad, with visiting university students engaging in community development projects. Many GSL programs assert they contribute to the development of local communities, and promote greater cultural understanding for student participants. However, GSL can be a setting where unequal power dynamics are reinforced, and local community interests and histories are overlooked or patronized. Unfortunately, despite the growing emphasis on evaluation among international development and education abroad programs, few empirical studies exist to examine the perspectives of local communities that host GSL programs. The purpose of this research is to assess community power dynamics as affected by GSL using a comparative case study of communities in Costa Rica and Kenya. A rapid ethnographic approach yielded qualitative data via semi-structured interviews, archival sources, and participant observation. A comparative analysis of these data highlights the ways local residents engage with service learning programs, opportunities provided to residents with access to programs, and obstacles to a more ethical community development. Our study finds residents in these cases value relationships with visiting students and infrastructure development within a community, however, they lament instances where students and organizations do not listen to their perspectives. Our findings will be relevant to the design and implementation of the thousands of education abroad and international volunteer programs taking place annually. Without seeking insights from local residents, global service learning may be reinforcing colonialistic patterns.

Cost–benefit analysis as a decision tool for effective conservation planning—The case of the Nyerere Selous‐Udzungwa wildlife corridor in Tanzania

AbstractCost benefit analysis (CBA) is used in many fields to ensure efficient allocation of scarce resources but is rarely applied in conservation. By using a common metric to evaluate projects in complex social‐ecological systems, CBA can help to maximize the impact of conservation funding. It can also help to interrogate issues of distributional equity, plan for effective community‐based conservation, and inform future research and strategic priorities. We demonstrate this using the example of the Nyerere Selous‐Udzungwa Wildlife Corridor in Tanzania, a wildlife corridor aiming to restore connectivity between two protected areas to enhance African elephant (Loxodonta africana) conservation outcomes and mitigate human–elephant conflict. We combine novel data on elephant crop depredation with crop price and productivity data, elephant valuation methods, and ecosystem service values to analyze corridor costs and benefits from contrasting global and local community perspectives. From the global perspective, we find benefits to outweigh costs by at least 4.6:1. From the communities' perspective, we find that while substantial benefits should secure buy‐in to the project, continued subsidy will be required to cover the costs. Our findings support generalized recommendations for application of CBA across diverse systems and conservation priorities.

Empowering sustainability: bridging science, community, and youth for a brighter future

BackgroundSustainability science has become a crucial aspect of interdisciplinary research aimed at finding practical solutions and driving lasting change. This article examines the challenges facing sustainability science to move beyond the analysis of problems within interconnected systems and critically evaluate the interplay of social, political, and technological factors in the application of knowledge to action.ResultsThe study highlights the influence of innovation implemented by companies on their sustainability performance, the establishment of innovations that positively affect sustainability performance, and analyzes the youth and local community perspectives on scientific innovations for a sustainable future.ConclusionsThe main conclusion is that sustainable development needs to focus on four areas of research: the impact of values ​​on research and decisions; community perspectives on sustainability; fostering socio-technical progress; and promoting learning for sustainable development. By decoding science, positive change can be achieved through the implementation of strategies such as transparency, understandability, and openness to scientific knowledge.

Exploring the link between foresight and artificial intelligence methods to strengthen collective future-building in contexts of social instability

Purpose The study explores the connection between foresight and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in a community within an environment of social instability in Colombia. It aims to contribute to research on aligning these methods for future-shaping, with the goal of enhancing shared governance, peer learning and collective learning among traditional decision-makers and local communities in emerging countries. The study seeks to foster a community of social actors who are likely to engage constructively in strategic dialogues. To enhancing shared governance and learning a hybrid model is synthesized, combining foresight and computational intelligence. Design/methodology/approach The case study explores the integration of computational intelligence and foresight through Gaston Bachelard's (Bachelard, 1936) phenomenology concept of ante-perception. The mathematical representation of the cone of scenarios provides a structured way to explore multiple future pathways, allowing communities to visualize and compare different trajectories and make informed decisions amid uncertainty. The model facilitates critical reflections on present assumptions, deepening insights into future scenarios. Ante-perception challenges traditional approaches to foresight by encouraging a break from established experiences, allowing for novel insights into possible futures. When enriched by computational intelligence, this reflective process is further strengthened by quantitative approach scenario modeling. Findings This research develops and tests a proposal that includes the logic and methods for constructing a mathematical representation of the cone of scenarios. This process, which is interactive and deliberative, is driven by anticipation and combines qualitative and quantitative approaches within a context of high uncertainty. By combining the critical reflection facilitated by ante-perception with the predictive power of computational intelligence, the model allows communities to transcend established thought patterns and explore innovative future possibilities. This integrative approach helps them envision and work toward social self-transformation. Research limitations/implications The article aims to identify the creation of scenarios in contexts of high uncertainty, to respond to the needs of communities in emerging countries to manage change. Practical implications This article explores a novel approach to using foresight for address collective intelligence by developing a shared future vision in high-uncertainty contexts within local communities in emerging countries. The application of the hybrid model demonstrates that foresight is a key innovative social tool for developing long-term strategic reflection and planning for territories. Social implications In developing long-term reflective processes, explaining phenomena, mechanisms and correlations requires the use of value judgments. This set of value judgments requires a representation that facilitates their treatment, helps to account for their behavior during the inference process to form a shared future vision. Consequently, ensuring the recognition of the opinions of local communities through participatory discussion spaces and their subsequent refinement, from a technical perspective, aims to illustrate the development of this social construction process. While similarities exist, differences add value through a transfer process, often subconscious. This process stimulates collective learning and builds capacities as knowledge is developed through inquiry, evaluation, interpretation and generalization. Originality/value This research provides a unique hybrid model that fosters collective learning and engagement by integrating local community perspectives with advanced computational intelligence methods. By facilitating both reflective and quantitative approach future-shaping, it offers a practical framework for addressing uncertainty while empowering communities to shape their own futures. It underscores the importance of recognizing local community views through bottom-up participatory discussions, thereby widening the stakeholder community to active engagement in addressing broader societal issues. The case study focuses on community collaboration in Puerto Gaitán, a Colombian municipality.

Family Planning Policies in Peru (1995-2023): Ontological Problems on Fertility and Infertility in Andean and Amazonian Culture

The research proposes a historical analysis of family planning policies in force from 1995 to 2023, with the objective of understanding the problems derived from the Voluntary Surgical Contraception (VSC) program implemented between 1995 and 2000, as well as the current decline of the health system in relation to sexual health and family planning. It addresses the influence of conservative-oriented governments and policies, as well as the interaction with Andean, Amazonian and urban cultural conceptions of fertility and infertility. The methodology employed is historical in nature, with an anthropological and qualitative approach. The findings highlight that policies related to sexuality and family planning in the historical context of the country did not take into account the cultural values and perspectives of local communities, which has contributed to a social gap in the field of public health. It is evident that the mass sterilization policies implemented in Peru during the 1990s suffered from lack of informed consent, pressure and coercion on individuals, having a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable communities. Therefore, this study seeks to provide guidance and recommendations to address the current problem identified.

Reassessing water resource challenges in a changing climate in the Kagera transboundary river basin, Tanzania

The dynamic shifts in climatic patterns, particularly alterations in precipitation, have significantly impacted water resource availability and accessibility. These climate-induced changes affect hydrological processes, encompassing runoff, groundwater replenishment, water demand, and biophysical patterns within river basins. This study seeks to unravel the multifaceted implications encountered and challenges in water resource management within the river basin. It employed a survey-based approach for data collection, including Key informant interviews (KI), consultation methods and documentary reviews. The study utilized Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel for quantitative analysis and thematic synthesis for qualitative insights, including local community perspectives. The findings reveal substantial fluctuations in precipitation, protracted droughts, severe flooding, and other climatic extremes. The observed annual mean rainfall of 832 mm, with a standard deviation of 248, a standard error of 361, and a skewness of −945, accentuates the pronounced variability in mean precipitation, exhibiting a declining trend indicative of climatic shifts (R2 = 0.1797 and P = 0.002). The challenges are limited access to hydrological and meteorological data, undermining prediction accuracy, infrastructure planning, and response strategies for water resource allocation and management. The absence of unified approaches, influenced by the politics of riparian states, feeble coordination, conflicting sectoral policies, and ambiguous priorities, hinders effective transboundary water resource management. The study addresses these complexities and advocates for institutionalizing robust water management strategies that capitalize on existing resources and foster innovative capacities among critical stakeholders. Central to these efforts is harmonizing and enforcing policies, regulations, and laws governing water use, coupled with a concerted focus on inclusive governance to ensure the sustainability of water resource management. Such effort entails synchronized strategies, programs, plans, and livelihood practices underpinned by active stakeholder involvement in pivotal facets of water resources management.

Community Perspectives on the Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts of the Tomohon International Flower Festival

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the perceptions of the local community regarding the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF). Specifically, the study aims to understand how the residents of Tomohon view the festival's contributions to their economic well-being, social cohesion, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Research methodology: This research used an exploratory approach to analyse residents' perceptions of the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of festival activities in Tomohon. Results: The results of the research indicate that the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) is perceived positively by the local community across several dimensions. Economically, TIFF is seen as a significant contributor to local income, job creation, and regional revenue. Socio-culturally, the festival enhances social interactions, fosters cultural pride, and supports cultural and educational development. However, the community also expressed concerns about environmental sustainability, particularly regarding waste generation and its negative impact on the city’s aesthetics. Limitations: The data gathered reflects the views of the respondents at a specific point in time and may be influenced by personal experiences, biases, or limited knowledge about broader economic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors. Additionally, the sample size, though sufficient for exploratory analysis, may not be fully representative of the entire Tomohon population, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings. Contribution: This article contributes to the broader understanding of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of large-scale cultural events like the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) from the perspective of local communities. This research also serves as a guide for event organizers and policymakers in optimizing the benefits of festivals while addressing community concerns, thereby promoting more sustainable and inclusive event planning.

EMOTIONAL SOLIDARITY IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: HOW POLICY AND KNOWLEDGE DRIVE SUPPORT IN GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

The participation of local communities is vital in developing tourism, as their attitudes and behaviours can significantly impact the growth and success of a destination. As the primary recipients of future tourism developments, the perspectives of local communities should guide the creation of sustainable policies aimed at maximising benefits and minimising negative impacts. The study examines how government policy, tourism knowledge, emotional solidarity, and support for tourism development are interrelated among the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Based on a quantitative and cross-sectional research design with two sampling stages comprising quota and purposive sampling, 216 responses from the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan were collected and analysed through Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). It was revealed that government policy and tourism knowledge influence residents' welcoming nature and emotional closeness, and they contribute to their support for tourism development. The findings underscore the importance of establishing targeted and effective support systems between stakeholders to sustain the benefits of tourism development.

Emotional attachment and philosophical worldviews explain human connectedness to nature in abandoned rural Spain

Land abandonment and rural depopulation are escalating worldwide, presenting sustainability dilemmas for both rural and urban regions. However, there remains a dearth of research on the sociocultural dimensions of abandonment from a local standpoint. This investigation focuses on a case study conducted in southeastern Spain, wherein a social survey was used to evaluate the perspectives of local communities concerning human–nature interconnectedness, land abandonment, and their impacts on quality of life. A survey campaign was administered in the case study region during the spring of 2021, and 122 surveys were collected. The findings identify, in the context of the progressive abandonment of rural lands in Spain, key factors that explain the desire of local people to inhabit and not abandon rural regions in southeastern Spain. Our results also show a strong connection between people and nature in rural Spain, which is explained by the capacity of locals to form relational values in rural environments and the existence of philosophical worldviews and emotional attachments to rural lifestyles. However, barriers to not abandoning rural environments were also identified, including a lack of professional and economic opportunities. Our results suggest that the mitigation of depopulation in rural areas in Spain requires actions to foster land stewardship and address socioeconomic imbalances.

Unveiling the ecological alarm: People's perception towards exploring the impact of invasive plants on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Western Himalaya

This paper presents the insights from both an ecological and people's perception study, aimed at understanding the ecological status of selected two common Invasive Alien Plants species (IAPs), i.e., Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) King & Robinson and Lantana camara L., and the perspectives of local communities towards their use, status, and influence on biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as controlling measures of these species. For the examination of the distribution and spread of these invasive species in the forests, a quadrat-based phytosociological assessment was conducted in the three dominant forest types [Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn f.), Chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.), and Banj-oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)] of Uttarakhand State. However, to assess the perception and awareness of local communities towards these IAPs and their impacts on local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and processes, a questionnaire-based study was conducted in seven villages of the Nainital district, spanning three different vegetation zones: Sal, Chir-pine, and Banj-oak forests. Perception data were gathered from 112 households through questionnaire surveys and interviews with key informants such as teachers, elders, community leaders, and researchers. The results of the ecological assessment indicate that the mid-elevation zone, particularly the Chir-pine forest, is highly prone to species invasion. However, findings from the perception study reveal that the people are aware of these invasive species, and their negative impacts on human and animal health, native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and ecological processes. Interestingly, over the past decade, invasive alien plant species (IAPs) have interfered with forests in the study area, leading to a decline in native species. According to local perceptions, factors such as deforestation, forest fires, climate change, increased transportation, no use of species in daily life, and grazing have contributed significantly to the spread of these IAPs. However, some people use these species as fencing wood, firewood, and for composting, etc. The results of this study indicate that awareness and educational initiatives could play a crucial role in mitigating and managing invasion in the Himalayan region.

Troubling masculinities: a feminist, relational approach to researching sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers

ABSTRACT This article reflects on my political and methodological choices around interviews and the empirical insights they have yielded into the causes and consequences of peacekeeper sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). I explore a feminist, relational approach that pursues generative, collaborative discussions with interlocutors during which inquiry and analysis are co-developed. I discuss how this approach created better spaces for collaborative dialogue and meaning-making with my interlocutors and set foundations for a relational analysis by allowing me to hear the discordant perspectives of institutions and local communities about the causes, consequences and experiences of SEA. I outline two empirical arguments this approach generated, to illustrate the method and its outcomes, and show that listening for how people experience the structures and power of peacekeeping generates robust analysis and can ground a dynamic relationship between researchers, communities and institutions which can be a valuable mechanism for challenging institutional preferences for instrumental analyses.

Defining and cultivating creative citizenship in northern Thailand: enhancing urban livability through sustainable tourism

PurposeThis qualitative investigation is one of a series of sub-investigations under an umbrella project to develop Lampang Creative Livable Tourist City. The aim of this paper is to explore the integration of sustainable tourism into the development of Lampang, a city in northern Thailand. By collaborating with government and private agencies, academics, community leaders and the people of Lampang to reskill and upskill core community groups in the city, the researchers hope to enhance active citizenship, develop relevant skills and foster leadership networks that boost Lampang’s appeal as a sustainable tourism destination.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from brainstorming meetings, focus group discussions, observations and in-depth interviews. After identifying key characteristics required for creative citizens of Lampang city, the researchers developed and implemented pilot curricula with five target groups. Activities were developed to nurture creative leaders and promote innovative use of traditional culture and lifestyle.FindingsThe findings revealed that targeted local curricula can harness the cultural capital of the local community and equip locals with a modern toolkit to lay the foundations for a creative, livable tourist city.Originality/valueThis study’s originality lies in its grassroots approach to defining creative citizenship. It captures local community perspectives on what constitutes a creative citizen. Moreover, this research demonstrates how custom-designed educational initiatives can effectively nurture a creative and resilient urban ecosystem. This offers a blueprint for culturally informed urban regeneration, highlighting the role of sustainable tourism in enhancing the city’s attractiveness and livability for both residents and visitors.