Blog prompt 10

To what extent does my Ward/SOA (Super Output Area) resemble a sustainable community and if not what are the reasons?

A sustainable community is one that meets the key requirements laid down in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. Local councils and communities are challenged to work together to improve quality of life and welfare issues in their areas. The provisions of the statutory framework are concerned about economic, environmental and social issues which embrace the wholistic approach to a sustainable lifestyle. Source: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=561616. Sustainable communities are characterised by, among other things: a flourishing local economy to provide jobs and wealth, a strong leadership that responds positively to change, and works in synergy with people, groups and other stakeholders, safe and health local environment with well-designed public and green space, good public transport within the community and the surrounding areas including links to rural, urban and regional centres, a well-integrated mix of decent homes of different types and occupancy provisions to support a range of household sizes, ages and incomes, a diverse, vibrant community striving for social cohesion within itself.


My SOA is Oakley Vale, a newly built area in Corby. According to 2007 estimates the population was 4,520 and a total of 1,726 dwellings. Christians account for 68% of the population while 32% is for other religions. The following information is also available from the same source: Income deprivation - 10%, Employment deprivation - 7.5%, Health deprivation - 25%, Education deprivation - 45%, Barriers to housing - 63%, Crime rate - negligible though Corby as a whole has a high crime rate of 85%, Living environment deprivation - 5%. The resultant overall deprivation figure was 25%. Single owner car users were 868, car-sharing were 119, and public transport were only 56. People working within the 0 - 10 km radius were 561, 10 - 40km radius were 133, and 49 were outside the 40km radius. Source: http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/. Obviously the above statistics have completely changed since the last data was collected three years ago.

From my own observations I have noted the following: There are are a mix of dwellings; detached, semi-detached, flats and terraces,and a few bungalows, The environment is safe and health with well designed public paths, playing fields and green open spaces. Economic activity is well supported by local industry and shops situated within 5 km radius. Public transport (buses) links every part of the neighbourhood and surounding at 30 minute-interval. The one hour-interval train service linking Corby to London was introduced in 2009. Litter bins are collected once every two weeks, and litter is seperately kept for recycle purposes. Seven schools are within the 2 km radius but no university. Two children play centres are in the vicinity. Two care homes are located within the neighbourhood and there are two medical centres nearby. The nearest Hospital is 8 miles away. One big supermarket is just on the outskirts of the neighbourhood. A new state of the art swimming pool (for use during the 2012 olympics) has been built in Corby town centre which less than 3 miles away from my neighbourhood .

Because Oakley Vale (SOA) is a new area with some more houses being built, it is difficult to make an absolute conclusion based on what may be defined as a sustainable community. The need for a vibrant and united community is still a thorn in the flesh. However, there are several attributes of sustainable development mentioned above. There is also a free journal called, 'Oakley Monthly' which is distributed to each household. The journal often highlights community news, and it does update the people with forth-coming events including council meetings which can be attended by anyone.

Phil Hope, the Labour Party MP, has pledged to continue with sustainable development activities, if re-elected in the 2010 elections. Some of the pledges are: to reduce crime by increasing PCSOs(Police Community Support Officers), to build a new hospital in Corby, to create two new children's centres and build a university centre, to bring more shops , more jobs and affordable homes, to extend rail service north and improve rural bus services. Source: www.votehope.org.uk/

In my opinion Oakley Vale has started on a good note given that it is only 4 years old. Even on comparative basis with other neighbourhoods, Oakley Vale's environmental and social aspects are much better though the areas of concern have to be worked upon.

Blog prompt 8

Education for Sustainable Development also includes making learners aware of their role as 'Active Citizens'. David Cameron said in one of his election campaign messages, 'We must have passion for education'.
Likewise Godorn Brown said, 'We need change to get economy, society and country moving'.

It is indeed important for all citizens in a society to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for effective participation in a democratic state. In the UK every Parliamentary Constituency has a responsibility to empower their people so that they understand what is meant by an ‘Active Citizen’. Investment in people is the key to promote sustainable communities.

I live in Corby County Constituency which has an electorate of 72,053. According to the Boundary Commission for England, Corby County is one of the six constituencies in East Northamptonshire. However, in the 2010 elections South Northamptonshire County is going to be introduced as the seventh constituency. Source of information: (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pbc/review_areas/downloads/Northants_li_statement.pdf). The name of the local MP is Phil Hope who, according to The Local Voice (Corby and East Northamptonshire – Spring 2010), has been the Labour Party Member of Parliament since the last 12 years. The June 2009 Corby Borough Council elections (http://www.northantset.co.uk/elections/CORBY-RESULTS.5326404.jp), showed that the Labour Party was the dominant political party.

There are various reasons why people may have voters’ apathy in the forthcoming 2010 general elections. Registered voters who have participated in previous elections may not have benefited from the politicians’ promises which generally end up as political gimmicks. Failure by MPs to make people ‘Active Citizens’, by continuously educating them before and after the elections, is one other reason for people not wanting to vote. The government has since set up The Department for Communities and Local Government, whose aim is to create thriving, sustainable, vibrant communities that would ultimately improve everyone’s life. Source of information: (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ministerial_responsibilities/departments/dclg.aspx).
The website, ‘http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/’ may not be known by many people, but it encourages eligible voters to register, and it gives reasons why voting is important. Again it provides other electoral information. As British citizens there are a wide range of rights and responsibilities within the constitution which are stipulated in the UK Human Rights Act 1998. Some of these are; the right to participate in free elections, the right to an education, the freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly as set out in the website; (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_066931).
The Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity organisation that gives citizens a personal insight into the problems they face in the UK. They campaign for changes in national and local policies and services. They speak up for the people, inform the legislation and liaise with MPs and policymakers. If the majority of citizens knew or were at least keen to make use of the facility, the concept of active participation in sustainable development matters would be better understood. Source of information: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns.htm:

In some places communities are disintegrated because of different cultures, religious and ethnic identities yet the authorities sit and watch. It is therefore, a shared social responsibility for the concerned authorities to ensure that issues of race equality and community cohesion are addressed prior to general elections. This is because the prevalence of inequality and disunity in communities worsens voters’ apathy. In a way I tend to sympathise with people who either do not know their rights or are deprived of the opportunities to become active citizens.

There are so many reasons that would influence me to vote in this year’s general elections. Through education I now know my rights as a citizen, and I am a registered voter. I know the definition and importance of sustainable communities. In my constituency, the Council is easily accessible. It encourages people to: vote in local elections if they are registered, attend meetings of the council, lodge complains, participate in the council’s question time, contact the local MP including access to the council’s accounts and constitution. All these facilities are at my disposal so there is no valid reason for me not to vote in the 2010 general elections.

Blog prompt 6 and 7

Sustainable Travel - what are your views? Is there really a transport problem? Do the benefits of motorized transport outweigh the costs? Are there any minor (or perhaps major) changes you personally feel could make our present transport system more sustainable?

Sustainable travel seeks to find ways and means of reducing the impact of transport network on the ever degrading environment. Sustainable travel is about using means of travel which do not worsen the present state of the environment but rather empower people with a sense of social responsibility. It seeks to explore the effective means of delivering a transport system that is environmentally friendly. Link: (http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/.

According to The Department of Transport (http://www.transport.ie/publictransport/overview.aspx) the desired outcome of sustainable travel is the prevalence of a transport system that sustains economic growth and contributes to social cohesion in the society. From another perspective, Swindon Borough Council (http://www.swindon.gov.uk/roadstransport/travelplans.htm) argues that a workable Travel Plan, whenever it is practised, should include a range of measures. These measures should be aimed at reducing congestion and pollution which costs UK businesses £20 billion a year. Furthermore, Swindon Borough Council agree that a Travel Plan should not be universal, but rather tailor made for a particular site. Such an approach ensures that alternatives taken to reduce congestion and pollution are feasible and more attractive to single-occupancy car users - whether it is for environmental, health or financial reasons. It could be an Employer Travel Plan or School Travel Plan for school run but whichever the case, the package should include practical measures that people may consider applying as an alternative to single-occupancy car use. An attractive Travel Plan may include for example: a car sharing scheme, provision of cycle facilities, and negotiating improved bus services. Incentives like, offering attractive flexible-working practices, and subsidised travel are considered effective packages for people. Restricted and/or charged car parking, though a disincentive is another way of discouraging single-occupancy car users. The practice of video conferencing and remote working could be another way of cutting business travel. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/

Because the majority of transport depends on non renewable energy, the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to increase by large amounts. Today the major contributors to high levels of emissions are aviation, maritime and overland transport. Hence the use of non renewable energy remains a major threat responsible for the depletion of fossil like coal, oil and gas which are directly linked to land degradation. Conversely the processing of fossil fuel uses plant and machinery which produces carbon emissions.

It is therefore clear that transport system needs sustainable travel plans. The cost of not taking corrective action now outweighs the luxuries of unlimited mobility and the affluence of economic activities. The more the world continues with the mode of transport that promotes congestion and accidents, emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution the more it is likely to encounter insoluble situations. The need to reduce dependency on fossil fuel is, therefore, very important.

There are a number of alternative travel plans that governments, institutions and companies have adopted. For example in Ireland, The Department of Transport recommended the use of bio-fuel like ethanol which produces much less emission of greenhouse gases. Also the application of eco driving skills like smart, smooth and safe driving techniques results in saving fuel and minimises rate of accidents. Electric cars though expensive are another environmental friendly option. (http://www.transport.ie/transport/Sustainable/index.asp?lang=ENG&loc=1913) In their Sustainable Travel Plan (2006 – 2010), Oxford Brooks University suggested the use of cycles by staff and students and the construction of pathways. Also the University suggested the car sharing scheme, and use of public transport. These schemes were fully supported by monetary incentives and improved facilities for example secure cycle purchase loan schemes, cycle racks, and shower/changing rooms (http://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookesnet/environment/docs/sustainable_travel.pdf).

Workplace travel plans must be considered a priority so that people may develop a sense of social responsibility to participate in sustainable travel activities. To come up with initiatives that encourage healthier and safer lifestyles, employers need to continue exploring new travel plan policies that discourage use of single-occupancy car users. Likewise the government, besides enforcing a National Travel Plan, should reward companies or at least recognise their effort in promoting sustainable travel. Once Travel Plans are in place, governments and local authorities should make it a statutory requirement to apply punitive measures to those failing to apply the recommended travel plans.

Can you imagine trains going to London with 20 to 30% empty seats and thousands and thousands of single-occupancy cars going to the same destination 5 days a week, 365 days a year? The bare truth is that every day there are millions and millions of fossil fuel-driven motor machines either on the road, in the air or in the oceans. The delivery of raw materials and finished goods and services intensifies travel. Heavily industrialised countries continue to pollute the environment with waste and carbon emissions. Cars are still being manufactured under the guise of ‘low carbon emission standards’ yet the amount of greenhouse gases emissions they produce are ever increasing. Cars as old as 15 years are still raising revenue for the state. Where on earth do any reasonable and concerned people think the emissions of carbon are going to be stored without affecting the environment and the atmosphere? Are people so selfish and just concerned about today and not the future?

While travel has economic and social benefits, governments and institutions have a major task ahead of them to make people aware of the pending dangers from unsustainable travel. It may be taken for granted, but the majority of people are not aware of terms like ‘sustainable travel plans’ let alone ‘climate change’ and ‘global warming’. The way people perceive their role or involvement in contributing to the use of sustainable means of travel is very much dependent on how a government applies petitions and enforcement of Travel Plans. A National Plan always tends to be cohesive so all the stakeholders and those who are likely to discourage ‘change’ should be involved in policy making and implementation of sustainable travel plans.