Navigating Community Development


Book Description

This book describes the evolution of the community development sector over the past 50 years, and it presents a framework and road map for how community development organizations can advance their mission through strategic partnerships that utilize their core competencies. The authors describe the current community development ecosystem, define a range of essential community development competencies, and demonstrate, through seven case studies, how using comparative advantages built on core competencies can improve outcomes for communities. By recognizing and leading with their competencies and strengths, organizations can bring their specialized areas of expertise to address complex and interconnected community challenges, and effectively meet their missions and objectives.




Community Development in an Uncertain World


Book Description

Community Development in an Uncertain World is an essential resource for students and professionals in the human services.




An Introduction to Community Development


Book Description

Beginning with the foundations of community development, An Introduction to Community Development offers a comprehensive and practical approach to planning for communities. Road-tested in the authors’ own teaching, and through the training they provide for practicing planners, it enables students to begin making connections between academic study and practical know-how from both private and public sector contexts. An Introduction to Community Development shows how planners can utilize local economic interests and integrate finance and marketing considerations into their strategy. Most importantly, the book is strongly focused on outcomes, encouraging students to ask: what is best practice when it comes to planning for communities, and how do we accurately measure the results of planning practice? This newly revised and updated edition includes: increased coverage of sustainability issues, discussion of localism and its relation to community development, quality of life, community well-being and public health considerations, and content on local food systems. Each chapter provides a range of reading materials for the student, supplemented with text boxes, a chapter outline, keywords, and reference lists, and new skills based exercises at the end of each chapter to help students turn their learning into action, making this the most user-friendly text for community development now available.




Research Handbook on Community Development


Book Description

This timely Research Handbook offers new ways in which to navigate the diverse terrain of community development research. Chapters unpack the foundations and history of community development research and also look to its future, exploring innovative frameworks for conceptualizing community development. Comprehensive and unequivocally progressive, this is key reading for social and public policy researchers in need of an understanding of the current trends in community development research, as well as practitioners and policymakers working on urban, rural and regional development.




Community Development in Action


Book Description

In a world in which social divisions are widening not lessening, it is essential for community development, or any other practice committed to social justice and sustainability, to understand how power works at every level, from grassroots projects to movements for change. This exciting and practical book is filled to the brim with useful ideas for busy practitioners. Building on the work of Paulo Freire, theories are presented in interesting and straightforward ways to provide an everyday reference for practice. Contained in these pages is all you need to give your practice a critical edge!




Pedagogy of the Poor


Book Description

In this book, the authors present a new kind of interdisciplinary pedagogy that brings together antipoverty grassroots activism and relevant social theories about poverty. Closely linked to the Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary, this unique book combines the oral history of a renowned antipoverty organizer with an accessible introduction to relevant social theories, case studies, in-class student debates, and pedagogical reflections. This multilayered approach makes the book useful to both social activists committed to eradicating poverty and educators looking for ways to teach about the struggles for economic and social justice. Pedagogy of the Poor is an essential tool of self-education and leadership development for a broad social movement led by the poor to end poverty. Featuring a 5-part series of interviews with Willie Baptist, this important book examines: Firsthand examples of the poor organizing the poor over the past 3 decades. The effect of neoliberalism, high-tech capitalism, and the economic crisis on poverty. Theoretical lessons drawn from the Watts Uprising, Martin Luther Kin, Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign, and the National Union of the Homeless. The role of religion and morality in the antipoverty movement. The relevance of hegemony theory and ideology theory for social movements. Resources, methods, and practices for teaching social justice.




Toward Sustainable Communities, Fifth Edition


Book Description

The go-to guide for sustainable community development, from the neighborhood to the regional level Fully revised and updated, Toward Sustainable Communities is the definitive guide to the why, the what, and most importantly, the how of creating resilient, healthy, equitable, and prosperous places. This fifth edition introduces the innovative Community Capital Compass as a powerful tool for maximizing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of complex community and regional decisions, and has been completely revamped to serve readers in the US, Canada, and abroad. Those seeking a comprehensive approach to sustainable community planning and development from the neighborhood to the regional level will benefit from: An expanded Community Capital framework that organizes community resources into eight interrelated forms of capital The Community Capital Compass process for navigating complex situations involving everything from municipal services and land-use planning to housing and climate change Elaboration of collaborative governance, community mobilization, public engagement, capacity building, infrastructure, policymaking, and promising practices A companion website featuring case studies, profiles, online resources, interactive tools, videos, and more. Packed with concrete, proven strategies, this "living book" is the go-to guide for sustainable community development. Toward Sustainable Communities is essential reading for current and aspiring professionals, practitioners, policymakers, educators, purpose-driven organizations, engaged citizens, and anyone concerned about their communities and a sustainable future.




Planning, Implementing and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs


Book Description

"This book is written for students who are enrolled in their first professional course in health promotion program planning. It is designed to help them understand and develop the skills necessary to carry out program planning regardless of the setting. This book is unique among the health promotion planning textbooks on the market in that it provides readers with both theoretical and practical information"--




Building Strong Communities


Book Description

Exploring ethical approaches to inclusive development, this book navigates challenges and strategies, empowering readers to foster resilient, equitable communities in the ever evolving 21st century.




Social (In)equality, Community Well-being and Quality of Life


Book Description

Combining theoretical and empirical research with global case studies, this innovative book examines the complex relationships between social (in)equality, community well-being and quality of life centred on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10. Insightful and forward-thinking, it explores strategies for fostering strong communities, focusing on the importance of social connections, shared resources and a sense of belonging.