SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Nowadays, we heard more about the sustainable neighbourhood. There has been much discussion about the need for sustainable neighbourhoods. But, what is sustainable neighbourhood? Why are neighbourhoods important?
A sustainable neighbourhood is a mixed used area with a feeling of community. It is a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future. Sustainable neighbourhoods meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services to all. (Bristol Accord, 6-7 December 2005).

There are some components that will be focusing to make sure the aim of concept sustainable neighbourhoods is achieved:

Governance Well managed neighbourhoods with effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership.  Transport and Mobility Well connected communities with good transport services and communication linking residents to their work places and services (health, education, recreation, commercial areas etc). Residents should be able to assure as many of their needs as possible within walking distance from their homes. A street pattern should take the form of a continuous web with paths linking one place to another. Good public transport infrastructure is essential in order to limit car use.  Environment Providing the opportunity for people to live in an environmental friendly way (low energy consumption or passive buildings, minimised waste generation, recycling, use of natural and environmental friendly materials, minimising water consumption etc) and enjoying clean, safe surroundings.  Economy  A flourishing and lively local economy. Services  Availability of public, private, community and voluntary services which are accessible to all residents. Equity  Fair for each resident and for both present and future generations (decent homes at prices people can afford, services reasonably priced for all, public open spaces accessible to all). Diversity  Create socially cohesive and diverse communities through a mix of social categories (mix of housing types and employment opportunities, shared community activities by all) and mix of generations.  Mixed used  As a crucial difference to existing suburbia areas which are often zoned (keeping separately residential areas from industrial and commercial quarters), a sustainable neighbourhood offers mix of functions (living, working, making use of recreational and commercial areas).  Identity  Active, inclusive and safe with a strong local culture and other shared community activities; provide the sense of community and belonging that many residents seek. Therefore, each neighbourhood needs a clear centre (a place where residents can find shops, social and cultural activities etc).  Citizens and residents participation, cooperation and involvement  Residents need to interact and be involved in the co-creation of their neighbourhood and they need to have a say on the way their community is managed. Neighbourhoods do more than house people; they form a support for wider activities, providing many of the social services that link individuals with each other, giving rise to a sense of community. http://www.energy-cities.eu/ Here, I attached the link that related to the topic of sustainable communities and neighbourhoods.  http://www.infed.org/community/sustainable_communities_and_neighbourhoods.htm