How to get people on board with green neighborhoods
As Europe burns, many cities are trying to cut emissions, upgrade buildings and rethink how energy is produced and used. However, there is a recurring challenge: getting people to participate in and accept the solutions needed to bring about the transformation. From this perspective, community engagement is often described as the weakest link in sustainable urban development.
Europe is grappling with rising greenhouse gas emissions from urban areas. Planners, municipalities and developers are trying to upgrade buildings and rethink energy production to reduce emissions. However, getting people to accept and participate in these solutions remains a challenge, often described as the weakest link in sustainable urban development.
Researchers propose a method to help planners, municipalities and developers work with people rather than simply imposing solutions. The study, published in the journal CORP, analyzed six neighborhood transformations across Europe. Researchers found that community engagement is crucial for successful sustainable development. Engagement works best when focused on specific target groups.
Interactive workshops and digital tools helped engage students in Oslo, while workshop excursions to closed mines in Karviná helped young people understand technical renovation solutions. In Trento, using the local dialect and familiar communication channels built trust with older residents, and involving low-income residents directly in renovation work in Palma strengthened community bonds.
The researchers developed a five-step approach called S.M.I.L.E. to help planners, municipalities and developers engage communities effectively. The approach emphasizes viewing engagement as a continuous process rather than a single event. It suggests having the right level of engagement at the right time, saving resources and leading to better outcomes.
Ultimately, sustainable neighborhoods depend on residents understanding, accepting and supporting new solutions, and feeling part of the process.
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