Sustainable Communities

General Overview

Sustainability is generally thought of as relating to the environment and "green" measures like carbon neutrality, recycling, and more. While this is true, sustainability can be thought of in other ways as well, including economic sustainability, and social sustainability, for example. Economic sustainability refers to ensuring that economic growth doesn’t come at the expense of the inhabitants. Social sustainability refers to maintaining strong community ties and a sense of social cohesion amongst the residents.

All of these types of sustainability work hand in hand with one another; to ensure one of these types of sustainability is being upheld, you must consider all of these types of sustainability are being upheld. If not, you risk reducing the effectiveness of well-meaning policies and solutions. While the city of Dayton is taking steps in the right direction, we feel there are a few areas it could improve upon to reach better outcomes for all Daytonians.

Goal:

To create sustainable communities and, in doing so, ensure better economic, environmental, and social opportunities and outcomes for everyone involved.

Environmental Solutions

Increase in green spaces and green infrastructure
- - More public land and parks
  - Turning single-use areas into multi-use areas
  - (Re)design/construct cities in a way that better fits the environment and how people use it
Reduce car-centric city design
- Improve bike infrastructure
- Improve public transportation through extension of bus routes and higher frequency
- Make more walkable neighborhoods

Social Solutions

Education for communities about sustainability and how to promote longevity of communities to increase community self-sufficiency
Increasing neighborhood participation
Streamlined information sharing
Advocacy Opportunities
More "third places", or community gathering places outside of individual homes and work/school

Economic Solutions

Greater resource allocation to urban neighborhoods, especially those adversely affected climate and environmental issues
Promotion of and access to the greater Dayton area for UD students
- - Extension of Flyer route
  - Advertisement of opportunities to get involved
  - Improve student wages to encourage off campus spending

Co-Op Dayton

CO-OP Dayton is a non-profit organization that aims to work with local businesses for the purpose of supporting community needs. This is done through the formation of community and worker-owned co-op businesses. Projects include Gem City Market, T.R.I.B.E., the Westside Makerspace, and various local manufacturers.

For further information please visit: https://www.coopdayton.org/

Gem City Market

Gem City Market's major goal is to provide fresh, affordable food to the Dayton community. The store is worker and community-owned, and it is supported and funded by CO-OP Dayton and The Dayton Foundation. Gem City Market’s mission states that they aim to serve, engage, and empower neighborhoods through quality food, and clean environments that are worker/community-owned.

Their market also includes a mini health clinic, a community room, a coffee house, and even programs that educate on topics of nutrition and much more. Through providing these resources, they look to tackle issues within the community like West Dayton's food desert, healthcare inequality, and lack of community cohesiveness.

For further information please visit: https://gemcitymarket.com/contact-us/

References:

COOP Dayton. (n.d.). https://www.coopdayton.org/

Dayton Riverfront Plan. (2021). Vision Taking Shape for Sunrise MetroPark. Dayton Riverfront Plan.

Gem City Market. About Us. About Gem City Market | Gem City Market. https://gemcitymarket.com/about-us/

Homsy, G. C., & Hart, S. (2021). Sustainability Backfire: The unintended consequences of failing to engage neighborhood residents in policymaking. Journal of Urban Affairs, 43(3), 414–435.

Jeffres, L. W., Bracken, C. C., Jian, G., & Casey, M. F. (2009). The Impact of Third Places on Community Quality of Life. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 4, 333–345.

The Fiscal And Economic Benefits Of Sustainability. (n.d.). https://www.ca-ilg.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/the_fiscal_and_economic_benefits_of_sustainability_draft.pdf

United Nations. Cities - United Nations Sustainable Development Action 2015. United Nations. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/#:~:text=Goal%2011%3A%20Make%20cities%20inclusive%2C%20safe%2C%20resilient%20and%20sustainable&text=Goal%2011%20is%20about%20making,half%20living%20in%20urban%20areas.