Governance – GSEF2016

Participatory Governance

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:55:01 +0000

Participatory forms of governance provides spaces for residents to express their opinions on the processes, outputs and benefits of public measures. When these spaces for dialogue are designed in an integrated and proactive manner, new innovations are more likely to be developed, recognized, and, when necessary, supported. These spaces are particularly important for the development of the SSE, which often extends beyond the limits of planned governmental frameworks. From participatory budgets and other forms of ad-hoc consultations to permanent consultation structures, these initiatives take on different forms depending on the territories and the issues at hand. All face the challenges of ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders, preventing special interests from co-opting the processes, and ensuring that the recommendations they generate have an impact on the measures that are put in place.

Migrations and Urban Transformation

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:54:43 +0000

Credit : City Of Montreal

While some cities and neighbourhoods are facing decline or depopulation, others face the challenges of a significant increase in new inhabitants, due to neighbourhood gentrification, or high levels of migration from rural areas or other countries. Adjusting public services in response to these changes, and meeting the emerging needs necessarily requires collaboration between residents and local authorities. When it works, the resulting initiatives can become important drivers of urban renewal and social innovation.

Citizen Initiatives

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:54:17 +0000

Every day, community members develop projects in response to many different needs, and emerging or unmet aspirations: housing, design and creation of green spaces, resource sharing, knowledge transfer, etc. These actions position community members at the centre of social transformations. The recognition and support of local governments for these social innovations enhances their sustainability and their impact. Through its work to foster community mobilization and its collective management tools, the SSE movement also has a role to play in ensuring the sustainability and the impact of these initiatives.

Sharing Information

Studio créatif Coloc — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:53:54 +0000

Access to information, through open data, free software, exchange platforms, and ICT, enables the development of social and economic innovations and, in so doing, generates smart cities, on the condition that residents can reap their benefits and participate in the decision-making process. It is in the interests of local governments to support the institution of technologies and practices that facilitate community access, use, and information development, as well as technologies that help to democratize city operations for all residents.