View source for Shared Space Chapter 1 - Reaching for Resilience





[[Shared space]]  is a locality - where we live;  an emotional space - a sense of belonging; our shared visions, understanding and goals, and how to participate. It is the focus of the [[communities agenda]] , which [[provide]] s [[resilience]] , and [[lead]] s to strong and vibrant communites.
 
The [[communities agenda]]  is the [[what]]  and [[how]] . It creates [[resilience through strategy]] , and results from actions in the key [[sustenance]] , [[adaptation]] , [[engagement]]  and [[opportunity]]  [[clusters]] , and [[complements]]  [[policy]]  and [[government]] [[intervention]]  . Combined they are " [[investments in the public good]] ," and [[support]]  local and national economies.

[[Shared Spaces]]  is meant to [[provide]]  a " [[common conceptual starting gate]] " for the [[communities]]  agenda [[framework]] , which otherwise vary between [[communities]] . 
 
Social [[health]]  is a [[determinent]]  of a [[health]] y economy. Healthy [[communities]]  create stability, create [[networks]]  of trust, foster [[learning]]  and [[networking]] , and are critical for innovation. They attract [[skilled workers]] , who are critical to competitiveness. They are therefore recognised as the "engines of nations," and it is important to develop [[quality of life]]  factors and [[provide]]  social [[infrastructure]] . This includes addressing issues such as racial tension, [[poverty]] , [[employment]]  and [[housing]]  issues, social exclusion. drug abuse and domestic violence.
 
[[Sustainable development]]  considers social and [[cultural]]  domains, like the [[communities]]  agenda, but focuses on the [[environment]]  rather than economy as does the [[communities]]  agenda.

[[Resilience]] , the [[1987]]  [[sustainable development]]  concept of " [[development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs]] ," is a key requirement to cope and thrive.
   
In ecology, resilience represents stability, a steady state, or an ability to adapt to change brought about by outside pressures, while [[maintain]] ing integrity.
 
In the mental [[health]]  field, the challenge model considers resilience the " [[ability to cope with stressful change, and perceived or actual threat]]  by survivors. It identifies the internal traits - such as internal strengths, behaviours, and competencies - and [[intervention]] s, through [[partner]] ships with caring individuals and professionals, who [[provide]]  high expectations and opportunities, as well as childhood development. Individuals are made stronger by handling difficult circumstances well. Resilient individuals [[engage]]  actively, seek opportunities, and thrive in changing [[environment]] s. Adaptation, sustenance, opportunity and [[engage]] ment must be used at different times, individually and in combination.
 
The concept of clusters originated in [[research]]  in the [[1960s]] , with [[Michael Porter]] 's [[1990s]] [[sector]]  -based form, focused on geography, informal relationships, and [[support]] ing institutions. In the [[communities]]  agenda framework, the social dimension of [[communities]]  is the result of related geographic clusters that are [[synergistic]] [[networks]]   of activity, which thrive due to proximity. 

Clusters share and must be [[support]] ed and sustained by [[infrastructure]]  - "quality [[foundation]] s" - which include a skilled and adaptable workforce, [[education]] , [[capital]]  and advanced physical [[infrastructure]] .

The sustenance cluster focuses on decent affordable [[housing]] , adequate [[income]] , and [[health]] . 

The adaptation cluster [[provide]] s coping and capacities facilities - [[child care]] , [[education]] , [[settlement]] . [[social capital]] , and [[core proficiencies]].
 
The [[engage]] ment cluster addresses active participation, a sense of agency, the removal of barriers and provision of [[public]]  space. 

The opportunity cluster [[provide]] s an investment in [[employment]]  related skills. Activities and organizations stem from [[collective]] [[entrepreneurs]]  hip, creation of development accounts, [[learning]]  bonds, home ownership, and [[financial]]  [[assets]] , and are guided by principals of [[democratic]] [[engage]]  ment and shared profit.
  
An issue is that [[clusters operate at cross purposes, are disconnected, have too few links, and a lack of collaboration]] . Therefore the [[communities]]  agenda is tasked with creating [[health]] y resilience clusters by improving links between cluster actors. It may be necessary to fill gaps first, for example, addressing affordable [[housing]] . It is also tasked with improving links, and finally to improve links between [[communities]]  and [[government]] .


[[Shared Space Chapter 2 - Organizing for complexity]]
[[Category: Documents]]