Community Planning

Arch 427 - Planning 2

Definition of Community
● From the ENGLISH word
COMMON

● a group of people with a common

characteristic or interest living
together within a larger society.

● a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share
government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.
What is Community Development?

● Community development is described as advancement

within the standard of communal existence.

● Community development is the practice of taking on

activities that provide basic services to communities to
make them more livable and sustainable
 Recitation Question

What are examples of “Community”?

Key Components of a Community Development Project
● Needs Assessment
● Community Engagement
● Clear Objectives and Goals
● Collaboration and
Partnerships
● Capacity Building
● Resource Mobilization
● Implementation and
Monitoring
● Evaluation and Learning
● Sustainability and Exit
Strategy
● Cultural Sensitivity
● Communication and
Transparency
● Social Inclusivity
● Environmental
Considerations
Needs Assessment: Conducting a thorough needs assessment is the first step in
understanding the challenges and opportunities within the community. It involves
gathering data, engaging with community members, and identifying their priorities,
strengths, and areas for improvement.

Community Engagement: Active involvement and participation of community

members throughout the project are essential. Engage them in the
decision-making process, solicit feedback, and ensure their voices are heard and
respected.

Clear Objectives and Goals: Establish clear and measurable objectives for the project.
Define what the project aims to achieve and set specific, achievable, relevant, time-bound
(SMART) goals.
Project Planning: Create a comprehensive project plan that outlines the steps,
timelines, and resources needed to achieve the project’s objectives. This plan
should take into account potential risks and challenges and include strategies to
mitigate them.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Community development projects often involve

multiple stakeholders, such as local government agencies, non-profit
organizations, businesses, and residents. Building strong partnerships can bring
diverse expertise, resources, and support to the project.

Capacity Building: Empower community members by providing training and

support to develop skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities. Capacity building
helps the community take ownership of the project and ensures its long-term
sustainability.
Resource Mobilization: Identify and secure funding and resources required to
implement the project. This could include grants, donations, government funding,
or in-kind contributions from partners.

Implementation and Monitoring: Execute the project according to the

established plan, and regularly monitor progress towards the defined goals. This
allows for timely adjustments and ensures the project stays on track.

Evaluation and Learning: Assess the impact and effectiveness of the project
upon completion. Learn from both successes and challenges, and use this
knowledge to improve future community development initiatives.
Sustainability and Exit Strategy: Plan for the long-term sustainability of the
project beyond its initial implementation phase. Develop an exit strategy to ensure
that the benefits of the project continue even after direct involvement ends.

Cultural Sensitivity: Respect and consider the cultural norms, values, and beliefs
of the community. Cultural sensitivity fosters trust and enhances the relevance and
acceptance of the project.

Communication and Transparency: Maintain open and transparent

communication with all stakeholders. Regularly update the community on
progress, challenges, and decision-making processes.
Social Inclusivity: Ensure that the project is inclusive and considers the needs
and perspectives of all community members, including vulnerable and
marginalized groups.

Environmental Considerations: Address any potential environmental impacts of

the project and promote sustainable practices to minimize negative effects on the
environment.
What is the role of architect in Community
Development?
● Architects integrate sustainability as a major consideration
for community development. The role of architects as
professionals can be defined as a process to preserve,
improve, and create the required quality of the built
environment under the particular condition of each
community.
5 elements of community structure:

● Path
● Edges
● Nodes
● District
● Landmarks
Best example for Community Planning in
the PH:

Disiplina Village, Valenzuela

City, Philippines