Objective
The LITMUS project seeks to pilot a new approach to integrating effective environmental action into urban regeneration. It starts from the belief that, by working intensively with citizens within a relatively small urban community to develop appropriate local sustainability indicators, it will be possible to bring about positive changes in individual behaviour which in turn will lead to market improvements in the sustainability of the community (for example, improvements in management of domestic waste, reducing usage of private cars, greater energy efficiency in homes).
Two hypotheses will be tested by the project :
Community sustainability indicators are adaptable tools that can bring about increased encironmental awareness and changes in urban populations. As a result people can take a more active role in the management of their neighbourhoods.
Community indicators can be used to monitor the effectiveness of regeneration programmes and can lead to improvements to these programmes.
The project will be undertaken in two areas within the London Borough of Southwark, a densely-populated, inner-city area, with numerous social and economic difficulties. With the help of the UK governments Single Regeneration Budget, Southwark is currently investing large amounts of money and effort into the redevelopment and regeneration of Peckham, an area which has seen repeated interventions by public authorities over the last century which have failed to produce a community which is environmentally, socially or economically sustainable. The challenge is to ensure that, on this occasion, regeneration does lead, not only to greater prosperity, but also to greater sustainability, thus avoiding the need to intervene continually to put right past mistakes in the development of the area. The second area, Faraday, has similar problems to Peckham, but is not yet benefiting from substantial public investment. The LITMUS project will ensure that the lessons learned through the development of Community sustainability indicators will influence the implementation of Peckham Partnership's plans and any future redevelopment strategies for Faraday so as to ensure that they properly reflect local aspirations.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
SE17 2ES London
United Kingdom