Policies that Build (caring) Community

This blog is based on the keynote address on Policies that Build Community delivered at the national Seeking Community gathering hosted by the Tamarack Institute in Kitchener-Waterloo in June 2014. The full address and associated slides are forthcoming.

The first component of building community involves designing the context and spaces that enable community members to spend time together and to participate as active members. It is based on principles related to clean and green places, mixed use, accessibility and engagement.

The second component of building community entails supporting the various ways in which we care for each other. This talk focuses upon the important informal types of care involving families, friends and neighbours. They include personal communities, circles of support, long dinner tables and community celebration.

Public policy helps shape the context of the community as well as the content of what it offers. Through public policy, governments enable us to build (caring) community: to design for well-being and to care about each other.