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lifestyle
Will adversity make us look at
Going local with how we live together? Could

people collectively take on
inclusive communities responsibility for the welfare
of everyone living in their
area? robin Jackson calls for
a radical rethink

Almere pilot ecovillage in the Netherlands: these communities are designed to be sustainable,
using technology to grow food, generate energy, recycle water and manage waste

n the years ahead, there will be a social care, whether for young children, As a society, we are going to have to face
significant reduction in the amount the older people or those with a disability. the negative consequences of climate
istate can spend on health and social What is important here is that health change, resource depletion, failing political
care. Regardless of the effects of a and social care would no longer be seen institutions and the globalisation of services.
possible brexit, the industrial and as services or commodities but as efforts In addition to these global problems, we
commercial sectors are contracting, with to strengthen the fabric of community life. will have to confront the consequences of
a consequent loss in tax revenues. the greater use of robotics and the
Declining personal income will increase Big problems, small solutions application of artificial intelligence (AI),
pressure on individuals and families to A problem has been that successive which will lead to a dramatic contraction
seek various ways to supplement reduced governments of all political persuasions in employment in the industrial and
incomes or to replace earnings that are no have misguidedly placed their faith in commercial sectors.
longer available. solving problems relating to the provision
This may lead to the establishment of of health and social services by
locally based enterprises, which would attempting macro solutions, none of “
Health and social care
reduce commuting costs and lower which have worked. If a caring society is would no longer be seen as
atmospheric pollution caused by using to be created, we need to seek micro
private or public transport. solutions that foster localism and services or commodities
Already there is a growing trend for community endeavour and enable people but as efforts to strengthen
people to work from home and be directly to truly “take back control” of their lives.
linked via the internet to a hub If no appropriate action is taken, there community life
somewhere in the UK or abroad. is a strong probability that an American- ”
Significant increases in the cost of food style health and social care system will
and drink at out-of-town shopping centres emerge, which is answerable to no one. devolved responsibility
may encourage the creation of local Regardless of whether governments What I would like to see – circumstances
community projects supplying the intervene, economic, social, environmental may well dictate it – is a decentralisation
immediate neighbourhood with and political pressures are going to force of democratic structures, where the role
affordable, fresh food. individuals and organisations to explore of the state is significantly diminished and
One possible consequence of these ways of adjusting to the rapid changes a greater role is played by regional
various trends is the growth of a sense of with which they are confronted. governments (possibly 12 in England).
identity with the locality in which the The changing character of work, the Most critically of all, local government
residents live and a greater willingness to growing obligation to be more closely should be given greater responsibilities
engage in local community activities, involved with one’s immediate and resources for health, social care and
whether of a recreational, social, community, the need to develop more education. Such a process could be
commercial or political nature. harmonious relations with one’s characterised as a “cantonisation” of
At some point, this growing sense of immediate physical environment, democratic structures.
identification with the local community the assumption by the individual of The system is already used in
may encourage residents to conclude it is greater personal responsibility for Switzerland. The key to its success here is
their responsibility to provide or support one’s actions; all these will require not from natural resources (which are in
different patterns of local health and considerable readjustments. extremely short supply) but in the

24 Vol 32 No 2 | Winter 2018 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk