We believe in communities and their ability to address the problems which they face. More often than not, central, devolved and local government aggravate chronic problems by tone deaf, poorly conceived policies and projects. The use of external consultants, latter-day travelling snake oil salespeople, has seen a range of misguided approaches applied (e.g. gentrification does not 'solve' the problem of poverty, it displaces the poor and often makes their plight worse).

One of the central beliefs of those with power is 'physical determinism' ('pretty places pretty people make'); in over 70 years of its application, in a variety of guises (New Towns, urban renewal, etc), have we eradicated poverty and dysfunctional environments? NO!

Communities need support from people with relevant experience and skills. In our former incarnation as the Clyde Imagineering Volunteer Group, we offered three communities our support and learned as much from these exercises as we delivered. The diagram to the left of this text illustrates one of our key beliefs:

'It is impossible to have a healthy village, town or city, in the absence of a successful economy and a united and nurturing community.'

Crawford Fulton

Co Founder of ai

The Regeneration Engine (above and to the left) shows what Crawford means: if you invest resources (time, imagination, skills and capital (land, buildings and money)) into local enterprise (private, cooperative or social), this will help to fund the improvement of the local environment; similarly, at the same time, if you invest resources in community support (in areas such as healthcare, education (from cradle to grave), social care, leisure and culture) this will also improve the quality of the local environment; what is more, if BOTH the local economy and community are successful, THEY will drive improvements to the physical environment. It is impossible to find economic and social success existing in a slum; however, it IS possible to witness slums becoming transformed into successful places in which communities can thrive (e.g. Renton in West Dunbartonshire).

The Regeneration Wheel

The Regeneration Wheel (above and to the left) illustrates the elements which ai recommends as contributing towards an empowered, strong and resilient community:

COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP

This group will provide support (preparation, coordination and publicity) to those who wish to participate in the production of a community-led Plan for their community

COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE TRUST(S)

The number of such trusts will depend on the size and diversity of the community concerned, they will seek to promote economic development

COMMUNITY ASSET TRUST

This Trust will acquire and manage property on behalf of the community, it will then use the income generated to support a variety of projects which will lead to the betterment of life in their community

COMMUNITY HERITAGE GROUP

This group will seek to conserve and promote the heritage of the community

COMMUNITY BUSINESS GROUP(S)

This group/these groups will seek to represent the interests of local businesses and develop initiatives with which to improve the local economy

COMMUNITY EVENTS ENTERPRISE

This social enterprise will plan, produce and promote local festivals and events

COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP

This social enterprise will deliver social, economic and environmental projects on its own or in partnership with others

FRIENDS OF LOCAL SCHOOLS

This group will raise funds for schools and launch initiatives with which to improve academic and other levels of performance