Living and Learning in EcCoWell Cities

This paper has been prepared to promote discussion of ways in which a number of ideals  directed at better life in cities can be integrated in more holistic and connected strategies so that there are value added outcomes in terms of the quality of life and the sustainability of cities.

The focus of the paper is on a seeming convergence of the ideals and objectives built into the concepts of Learning Cities, Healthy Cities, and Green Cities. The paper asserts that there is a common interest in actively fostering a convergence of these aspirations through the emergence of a new generation of Learning Cities with clear health and environmental objectives and strategies.

I have called these cities EcCoWell cities, cities that aim for integrated development across the landscape of ecology, culture, community, well-being, and lifelong learning objectives and strategies..

This paper is a light sketch of terrain to be covered in building humane , inclusive, and sustainable EcCoWell cities.  The paper has been called a Clarifying Working Paper to signify this status.

The paper is supported by a short Discussion Paper which includes a set of ten questions to encourage discussion of the key themes of the paper. It is hoped that these questions will be widely discussed in the cities participating in the PASCAL International Exchanges project, and in other cities and organisations with an interest in these important subjects.

The paper builds on the experience of the ten cities participating in the PASCAL International Exchanges (PIE), the lessons of a number of  lifelong learning projects funded by the European Union, and the extensive knowledge base on Healthy Cities and Green Cities. The growing knowledge across these sectors points to areas where common interests exist, and where value added outcomes could be achieved through more integrated and holistic policies and strategies.

I am most grateful for the comments made on earlier drafts of this paper by my PASCAL colleagues, and others with an interest in promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all and building humane cities that foster quality of life and well-being for residents.

Comments on the questions included in the Discussion Paper may either be posted on the PIE web site (http://pie.pascalobservatory.org) or sent to me as co-ordinator of the PASCAL International Exchanges ([email protected]).

Cities around the world are confronted by a spectrum of unprecedented challenges in a context which has been seen as “a runaway world”, where traditional responses are no longer adequate. Successful Healthy Cities and Green Cities are by their nature Learning Cities in which strategies to build a rich web of connections between  necessary sectoral ideals and objectives will benefit all residents in creating cities that are humane, inclusive, and sustainable.