Open Space write up (UK conference May-07)

Specific Topic Specific challenges of transitioning a City

 

Overarching question How do we sustainably expand and support the network of communities working on transition?

Proceedings

One of the key questions here was "Who are we to decide?". What justification is there for a small group to make decisions that affect an entire city?

Feasibility of a City wide transition

  • Is it too large?
  • What's the optimum size of a community? Is it a village/neighbourhood?
  • Is it appropriate to define a manageable size by "within reasonable walking distance"?

Urgency and starting up

  • For those people who can see the potential devastation of livelihoods in cities, there's no question - they have to act
  • What's the best way of bringing a steering group together and how many members should it have?
  • How do you get the members? Could it be a hand-picked group with relevant skills, or is that too cliquey?
  • What's the best structure for the organisation?
    • Bristol - a hand-picked group from people who emerged, all with excellent skills
    • Brixton - created their group from an existing emailing list for bulk food buying
    • Totnes - the steering group is currently made up from facilitators of the working groups [or sub groups, transition groups, depending on your terminology - Ed]
  • In Norway, would it be best to look at NGO status, or Government, or bottom up citizens' organisation?
  • How do you communicate with an entire city?
  • The steering group has to handle the tension between on the one hand understanding solutions and prescribing them and on the other, giving groups the space to learn about solutions themselves

Moving the project forward and engaging with the city

  • Awareness raising in the city
    • Brixton - held a "local food" feast in the local park, with much of the food provided by community gardens and allotments
    • Bristol
      • the core group is "holding the space" for a city-wide Energy Descent Action Plan
      • forming a charity
      • initially used existing email groups, typically of "single issue" people, groups and initiatives
      • focussed very heavily on linking to existing groups using: leaflets, community festivals, emails
      • the working (special interest) groups started to form themselves right from the first meetings (currently 14 groups) based on the interests of the individuals and feelings of community and kinship

Envisioning the City in 20 years' time

  • Engaging emotions expands the vision
  • The groups will need training on "open forum" methods to engage successfully at the city level to create the vision
  • Local radio and BBC TV can play a significant part in this effort
  • This process can benefit from (and promote) a sense of place and familiarity with what is and what could be...