Community
Great Places Declaration
from Karen True & the wonderful folks @ www.greatplacesforum.org)
Whereas...
- We are faced with urgent challenges of population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation; And, many patterns of recent development are endangering the natural environment as well as eroding the sense of place and community that supports a civil society and democracy;
- We believe that Great Places in the built environment offer an important solution to these challenges and collectively provide the following characteristics.
Great Places...
- are accessible and welcoming for diverse groups of people;
- offer a variety of activities;
- respond to changing community needs;
- are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable;
- promote health and safety;
- nspire people to take ownership;
- allow for creativity, pleasure and excitement;
- invite chance encounters and surprise;
- appeal to all the senses;
- engender personal well-being, renewal, and a feeling of connectedness;
- spark cultural and economic vitality; and
- encourage active participation in public life.
July 21, 2007
