An Ecological Planning Approach to Community Based Sustainable Development

Abstract

This paper outlines a participatory community planning methodology with the aims of (1) providing the facts about Peak Oil, Global Climate Change, Electric Power System, (2) help community members explore their individual and group responses (3) provide a forum to generate projects in the community for sustainable value, resilience and adaptation and (4) stimulate increased community connectivity and the creation of organisational structures appropriate to these challenges This method was trialled at the “Climate Disruption. Transition Towns. One Response” weekend forum organised by the Natural Heritage Society Oamaru for a number of participants from the town of Oamaru, New Zealand and surrounding communities.