How are these Guidelines organised?

The Guidelines provide policy-makers, local authorities, developers, planners, architects, engineers etc. with a framework to design an integrated neighbourhood. They are organised around three key messages and six strategies to promote systemic thinking and a holistic approach.

At present, our neighbourhoods suffer from the indiscriminate application of standards regardless of context and from silo-based solutions. A more design-led and integrated approach is needed to simultaneously tackle the complex systems neighbourhoods are made of, with many overlapping and inter-related sub-systems. The Guidelines call for moving away from standard-based normative approaches to return to a flexible and people-centred approach that allows designers, citizens and local authorities to cooperate in the making of vibrant, safe and attractive communities.

Together, the three key messages about Local Context, Design, and Integration build the overall framework for successfully building a sustainable neighbourhood.

Key Messages

In turn, the six strategies are centred around different key aspects that should be considered when planning and designing an integrated neighbourhood. These strategies have been kept as generic as possible to be adapted to a wide variety of cultures, levels of development, and climatic conditions.

Strategies

A separate section presents how to organise the Implementation Process to successfully implement sustainable neighbourhoods by integrating policy, process, planning and management.

Lastly, a separate section explores Financing and the Business Case to fund neighbourhood projects, as well as the business case for integrated and sustainable neighbourhoods.

From Theory to Practice