Community Building for Sustainable Cities
Background
As communities grow and develop, many are evolving into urban centers, with rural areas also transforming into semi-urban hubs. These transitions bring about similar challenges, requiring collaborative efforts to address. The creation of smart, sustainable, and resilient cities and communities is essential to accommodate this rapid urbanization and transformation. Moreover, with the youth comprising the majority of the population and being drawn to the allure of urban life, it is crucial to implement smart city programs that cater to their needs and aspirations.
Our Approach
Livable, resilient, green, inclusive, smart: these attributes underline that cities and communities are first and foremost places where people live. At Raising Gabdho Foundation (RGF), we place individuals at the center of development, making them the protagonists of their own growth. By fostering open and welcoming communities, we respond to the needs of the vulnerable and always consider individuals as part of their families and communities.
To build sustainable cities, we promote connections across various sectors—education, health, food, culture, labor, economy, leisure, and the environment—by activating synergies with local partners, including public and private sectors, nonprofit organizations, and universities. Co-designing with these stakeholders from the ideation phase through implementation to evaluation ensures a holistic and integrated approach, addressing cultural, social, economic, labor, environmental, and territorial aspects.
The Importance of Community
Combining individual attention with a comprehensive view of the community, our integrated and systemic approach fosters the best growth by considering the three pillars of sustainability: socio-cultural and educational, ecological and environmental, and economic and labor. In neighborhoods and communities, people organize and mobilize to meet their needs, often deploying alternative measures and informal resources. This collective effort reveals the true wealth and protagonism of the community. Mapping, enhancing, and fostering these resources and their growth is essential.
Supporting Community Associations
Within communities, people initiate efforts to meet daily life needs. Supporting these initiatives is crucial because they are:
Rooted in Local Reality and Ownership: These initiatives are deeply embedded within the community, ensuring a strong connection and continuous presence.
Driven by Collective Good and Purpose: They operate with the community's best interests at heart, fostering a sense of shared purpose and responsibility.
Cornerstones of Sustainability: They form the foundational elements of sustainable development, ensuring long-term growth and resilience.
By supporting these associations, we nurture the very fabric of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Facing Challenges Together
Both urban centers and semi-urban hubs face similar challenges. By working together, we can solve these challenges more effectively. Through collaboration, communities can share knowledge, resources, and strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve sustainable growth. Additionally, addressing the aspirations of the youth and incorporating their needs into smart city programs ensures that these urban transformations are inclusive and future-proof.
Our community building efforts contribute to:
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: We foster the development of smart, inclusive, and resilient urban and semi-urban communities.
SDG 4: Quality Education: Through educational campaigns and community engagement, we promote lifelong learning opportunities.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: We support community associations and collaborative partnerships to enhance social cohesion and community resilience.
