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SafeGrowth theory is built around the 4 principles (tenets) that are the foundation for SafeGrowth method and practice:
1. ACTION BASED PRACTICE 2. SOCIAL ECOLOGY 3. NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVATION 4. SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS When these principles work synergistically they contribute towards creating a vision of livable neighborhoods and cities in 21st Century. ↓ |
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1. Action based practice (ABP) |
SafeGrowth uses a philosophy of ABP – action-based practice and participatory co-design – in all things urban. This includes practices such as action research, action science, participatory action research, action learning, double-loop learning, and appreciative inquiry. It also includes problem-based learning for training and activating neighbors. ABP is the rationale driving all planning, community visioning, and neighborhood development. It is also the criteria through which all neighborhoods adopt or reject evidence-based methods, evaluations, or applied research for evaluating progress or assessing the viability of new programs. If research does not specifically a) include locals in the process of analyzing research, collecting data, and assessing results, and b) adopt approaches that specifically help solve local problems to move forward, then it does not satisfy ABP criteria and should be rejected.
Further reading:
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2. Social ecology |
Small neighborhoods are THE prime method for 21st Century city development. As Schumacher said so long ago, small truly is beautiful. The city of the 21st Century should become a networked system of strong and cohesive neighborhoods, as in a networked ecosystem. This social ecology is the basis for neighborhood governance where all needs and goals for municipal services emerge in a democratic fashion from the bottom-up. This means setting up local non-profits, training programs that are student-led, interactive and real-life, and establishing formal partnerships and networks between service providers (police) and the local groups who work in neighborhoods.
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3. Neighborhood activation |
Because local services and planning are currently delivered to or for neighbors, the goal of SafeGrowth is to move this forward into service delivery and planning that is co-developed with and by neighbors themselves. This can be established in a number of ways such as Livability Academies, Jim Rough’s “Wisdom Councils” or Jim Diers “Neighbourhood Power”. There may be other methods of activation but, in all cases, the goal of this activation is to build a network of cohesive neighborhoods where SafeGrowth planning becomes the norm.
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4. Socio-technical systems |
In SafeGrowth the process of co-development, redevelopment or local activation is the key to success. Therefore, SafeGrowth focuses on teaching and empowering locals how to solve their own problems. It does this by transferring the socio-technical systems that permit action. Socio-technical systems are technologies, programs, and projects that provide neighbors with tools to solve problems and envision new models for living harmoniously. They constantly evolve and at present they include:
Further reading:
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CONTACT[email protected]
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SafeGrowth® 2007-2025
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SafeGrowth® is a philosophy and theory of neighborhood safety planning for 21st Century.
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