Facilitation Processes and Skills Supporting EcoCity Development

Abstract

Ecocities can provide solutions for the improvement of human settlements around the world and the living conditions therein, but in the authors' experience, only as long as they are able to address the following questions correctly: How to formulate an ecocity concept that, considering issues of general concern, can be at the same time adapted to different local conditions? What are the instruments supporting the development and implementation of ecocity solutions? VTT's EcoCity concept for sustainable community and neighbourhood regeneration and development has been designed in response to the first question. Likewise, specific methodologies and effective facilitation processes and skills have been developed in response to the second question. Since the methodologies have been discussed in a previous scientific article, the present one focuses on the facilitation processes and skills, and also on other related, fundamental aspects like participation, adaptation, capacity building, etc. Facilitation processes supporting EcoCity development require matching "hard" and "soft" skills in a fluid way. The main findings are discussed with the help of two case studies: one in Medellín (Colombia), and the other one in Zambia.

Challenges in Adapting Sustainable City Solutions from Finland to Different Contexts Worldwide: A Libyan Case Study

“…Experience from a number of EcoCity projects and activities worldwide corroborates the importance of adaptation to the local context due to varying socio-economic, socio-political, socio-ecological and cultural conditions as explained by Antuña-Rozado et al [8] and illustrated through EcoMedellín and EcoLusaka case studies [8]. Supporting communities to develop and implement their own definition of sustainability is essential to the purpose, very much in line with Roseland [9] for whom there is not one universal definition of the ecocity and perhaps there should not be.…”

“…The aim of the research shown here is two-folded. On the one hand, to frame the theoretical and historical underpinnings of the concept in relation to the general ecocity debate, thus completing the trilogy including the two previous articles [8,18] focusing on its practical side and covering the methodologies and facilitation processes and skills specifically developed to support the implementation of the concept. On the other hand, to exemplify through a case study how the concept is applied in practice in a specific local context…”

“…More concretely, the EcoCity concept developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (VTT) for sustainable community and neighbourhood regeneration and development has been designed to make possible the formulation of solutions that can be adapted to different local conditions supported by specific methodologies and effective facilitation processes and skills. As shown by Antuña-Rozado et al [8], during the EcoMedellín project VTT's EcoCity facilitation enabled on the one hand the articulation of the "grey" and the "green" components, and on the other the change of scale by moving from national and regional policies to a specific local project [8]. Therefore, in this sense the EcoCity concept, methodologies and facilitation can help to bridge the gap identified in the implementation of the NUA.…”

“…VTT's EcoCity concept stands on the same holistic approach while trying to respond to the needs and challenges typically associated to sustainable community and neighbourhood regeneration in the Global South. To achieve successful results in this regard, close collaboration with reliable local partners and relevant stakeholders has proved to be of crucial importance, as well as adaptation to varying local conditions as discussed by Antuña-Rozado et al [8]. The references discussed in the next paragraphs should not be considered as a separate set of examples belonging to a specific domain, but as part of a much wider process spanning for decades and involving political commitment, constantly developed technical capacity, adequate legislative framework, and strong citizens' awareness and participation.…”

“…Participation was considered at different stages of its development, and even the name of the city itself ("Tapiola" derives from Tapio, the Finnish forest god mentioned in Kalevala) was chosen through public competition [26]. An adequately validated participation of key stakeholders (see Antuña et al, [8]) is an essential component of VTT's EcoCity concept, which builds on the participatory tradition of Finnish urbanism exemplified by Tapiola Garden City.…”