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Definitions

To help with the Placemaking Maptivity, it helps to understand some key definitions that represent the game area.

Issues

  • Governance, empowerment and engagement is defined as a way to ensure that everyone in a community has a voice and can be part of important decisions that affect their lives and surroundings. This approach encourages all groups, from local residents to businesses, to take an active role in shaping policies and projects that can make their neighborhoods better and more sustainable. It involves creating clear systems where people can share their ideas, give feedback, and hold each other accountable, making sure that everyone knows their role in the process. By fostering an atmosphere of transparency and collaboration, communities can work together more effectively to build a brighter future.
  • Education and capacity building is defined as an important focus on improving everyone’s knowledge and skills so we can work together towards a more sustainable and resilient future. This means not only learning about sustainability and smart growth but also making sure that our community has the tools and training it needs to turn those ideas into reality. For organizations like Global Building Networks (GBNs), this involves creating programs that teach people new skills, sharing important information, and encouraging teamwork to help our community use sustainable practices, especially in building design and construction. By investing in education and capacity building, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions that benefit both the environment and our society.
  • Innovation, creativity and research is defined as the process of finding new ways to work together and come up with smart designs that help solve community problems. It encourages organizations, like those involved with sustainable development, to think outside the box and explore creative solutions while also being mindful of risks and ethical issues. This means that while we aim to develop cool new ideas, we also need to consider their impact on people and the environment. By focusing on innovative approaches, we can tackle challenges in our communities effectively and responsibly, ensuring that any new actions we take are well thought out and beneficial for everyone involved.
  • Health and care in the community is defined as an essential part of keeping people both physically and mentally healthy, which helps the whole community thrive. This means making sure everyone has easy access to healthcare services and promoting habits that prevent illness. It’s also about understanding how our surroundings affect our health—like having clean air and safe places to hang out. For businesses and organizations, this means creating spaces and services that encourage healthy lifestyles, make healthcare available for everyone, and build environments that support overall well-being. By prioritizing health in our communities, we can foster stronger, more resilient neighborhoods where everyone can succeed.
  • Culture and community identity is defined as preserving the unique ways of life that make a community special, which includes things like traditions, languages, and local customs, while still being open to new ideas and changes. For businesses and organizations that want to thrive in their communities, this means creating places and experiences that honor and highlight local culture, but also allow for growth and innovation. By focusing on culture and community identity, we can help ensure that neighborhoods stay vibrant and distinct, while also supporting sustainable development that benefits everyone. This approach not only enriches our communities but also fosters a sense of belonging and pride among residents, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
  • Living together, interdependence and mutuality is defined as the idea that we all thrive better when we work together and support one another in our communities. This approach encourages everyone to come together, share experiences, and take on challenges as a team, leading to a more inclusive and prosperous environment for everyone. For businesses and organizations, it means creating spaces and opportunities where people can connect and cooperate, driving social mobility and fairness across generations. By investing in initiatives that foster collaboration and mutual support, we not only enhance community well-being but also contribute to building a stronger economy that benefits all members of society.
  • Economy and sustainable production and consumption is defined as the effort to support local businesses and create jobs while being mindful of our planet. This approach encourages us to buy and use products in a way that benefits our communities and the environment. It means choosing items that are made responsibly, considering how they impact the Earth throughout their entire lifecycle—from production to disposal. For businesses, this translates to developing systems that not only provide a variety of job opportunities but also promote responsible shopping habits among consumers. By working together to prioritize sustainability, we can build a thriving local economy that respects both people and the planet.
  • Living and working environment is defined as the way we create spaces that ensure everyone has fair and equal access to good homes and workplaces that meet their needs. For organizations like Global Business Networks (GBNs), this means building areas that not only protect the environment but also improve people’s quality of life. This includes making sure homes are comfortable and safe, workplaces are healthy and productive, and that everyone can easily get to schools, parks, and other important places. By focusing on these factors, we contribute to sustainable communities that support both the well-being of residents and the economic growth of the area, creating a better future for everyone involved.
  • Safety and security is defined as making sure that our communities feel safe for everyone, both from the inside and outside. This means protecting people’s right to privacy, keeping public spaces secure, and managing any risks that could harm the community. When planning how we use land and design public areas, it’s important to focus on preventing crime and violence while creating welcoming environments for all. By evaluating initiatives based on these principles, stakeholders can better understand how we’re tackling safety, security, and risk management in a way that supports sustainable urban growth. This not only protects residents but also helps build trust and a sense of belonging within the community.
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services is defined as the importance of protecting and improving the different plants, animals, and natural environments around us. This means not only helping to keep a wide variety of species alive but also ensuring that the services these ecosystems provide—like clean air, fresh water, and fertile soil—are sustainable. By taking care of nature, we make our communities more attractive and enjoyable, which can also boost local economies. It’s essential for businesses and communities to recognize the value of biodiversity and to actively manage and protect these natural resources to avoid risks like climate change and habitat loss. In doing so, we can create a better place for everyone to live and work.
  • Community smart infrastructures is defined as the systems and services that help a community thrive in a sustainable way. This means providing clean water, proper sewage treatment, efficient waste collection, and reliable energy supply, all while using advanced technology and digital networks. Think of it as making sure that everything from the water we drink to the energy that powers our homes is not only effective but also helps the environment and supports the people living in the community. By improving these infrastructures, we can create smarter, more connected, and healthier places to live, work, and grow, ensuring a better quality of life for everyone today and in the future.
  • # B.12 Mobility is defined as the provision of safe and comfortable transportation options that are accessible and affordable for everyone, including those with disabilities and people of all ages. This means not only having reliable public transport but also encouraging walking and cycling, which benefits our environment and health. When we invest in better mobility, we help businesses thrive by making it easier for people to connect and trade, which can lead to new job opportunities and a more vibrant community. Additionally, it’s important to focus on reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from our transportation systems, as these changes can significantly improve the quality of life for everyone living in our area.

Purposes

  • Attractiveness is defined as a territory’s ability to draw in and keep people, businesses, and other important groups interested and engaged. It’s about creating a place that feels lively and appealing, where a strong economy, vibrant culture, and unique identity come together to make life better for everyone. In the context of green building neighborhoods, attractiveness means designing spaces with eco-friendly architecture, thoughtful city planning, and cultural attractions that not only make the area enjoyable to live in but also create job opportunities and boost the economy. The goal is to build environments that are both good for the planet and great for the people who live and work there, ensuring they want to stay and thrive.
  • Preservation and improvement of environment is defined as actively working to enhance our planet’s health through clear, measurable actions. This means that organizations should focus on reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, protecting wildlife and their habitats, and making sure that we all breathe cleaner air. For businesses and communities, this involves designing buildings and planning land use in a way that not only limits negative effects on the environment but also helps nature thrive. This can include protecting important ecosystems, ensuring diverse plants and animals can live together, and even maintaining safe paths for animals to migrate. By committing to these practices, we can create a healthier world for ourselves and future generations, while also benefiting the communities we serve.
  • Resilience is defined as a community’s ability to adapt and thrive in tough and changing situations. For organizations and businesses, this means being prepared for challenges like climate change, economic downturns, and social shifts. It’s about planning ahead, both for the short term and the long term, by developing strategies to cope with and recover from crises, ensuring that important services keep running even during disruptions, and knowing how to scale back operations gracefully if needed. This approach highlights the need for strong physical infrastructure, like buildings and roads, as well as social connections within the community, so that together we can build a more sustainable future.
  • Responsible resource use is defined as the smart and sustainable way we consume, distribute, and manage all types of resources, including natural materials, human talent, and financial assets. This approach encourages us to improve how we manage land, minimize waste by reusing and recycling, and be mindful of resource scarcity, especially when it comes to water and energy. It’s about promoting sustainable production and transport methods, and making sure we handle waste efficiently while embracing the idea of a circular economy, where we aim to keep resources in use for as long as possible. For green building neighborhoods (GBNs), this means designing buildings and systems that use resources wisely and create closed-loop resource cycles, ensuring that we think not just about our current needs, but also about the availability of resources for the future. Involving teens like you in these discussions can lead to innovative ideas and solutions that benefit everyone!
  • Social cohesion is defined as the process of creating communities where everyone has fair access to services and opportunities, while also encouraging open conversations among different groups. For urban neighborhoods, this means designing spaces that help diverse people come together, celebrate their unique cultures, and develop a strong sense of community. The goal is to reduce inequalities and foster friendships, making everyone feel like they truly belong. This approach combines thoughtful planning and social programs, ensuring that residents not only share physical spaces but also create memories and connections that strengthen their relationships. By focusing on social cohesion, we can build sustainable communities that thrive on mutual understanding and support among all their members.
  • Well-being is defined as the ability to access opportunities that improve our overall quality of life, such as education, job training, and living in a healthy environment. For communities, this means creating places where people feel good physically and mentally, safe, and connected to one another. The idea is that our surroundings—like clean air, good public services, and supportive relationships—play a big role in how happy and satisfied we feel in life. By focusing on thoughtful design and services, sustainable communities aim to enhance everyone’s happiness and health, making a positive impact on the lives of residents and fostering a sense of trust and collaboration among community members.