Introduction Activity 1: The urban transformation Activity 2: What is a sustainable community? Activity 3: Local solutions to global problems Activity 4: Local Agenda 21 Activity 5: Reflection
	Begin by opening your learning journal for this activity.
	The achievements of Guatemala City, Cali City, The Bronx and Minneapolis show that community action for local sustainability can be very successful. However, you may have noticed that the way each community focused on a limited range of problems meant that a comprehensive plan for sustainable community development was not possible. Making such a plan - and acting on it - is the purpose of having a Local Agenda 21 Plan. The Local Agenda 21 concept was developed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to help local governments implement the recommendations in Agenda 21 that:       By 1996 most local authorities in each country should have undertaken a consultative process with their populations and achieved a consensus on a 'local Agenda 21' for the community. Through consultation and consensus-building, local authorities would learn from citizens and from local, civic, community, business and industrial organizations and acquire the information needed for formulating the best strategies. The process of consultation would increase household awareness of sustainable development issues. Local authority programmes, policies, laws and regulations to achieve Agenda 21 objectives would be assessed and modified, based on local programmes adopted.       Source: Agenda 21, Chapter 28.
	Investigate the benefits of having a Local Agenda 21 Plan. Sharing practical experiences between towns and cities is one of the most effective strategies for sustainable community development. This has been facilitated by several national and international networks. Two of the most significant networks are the United Nations (Habitat II) process and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).
	Case Studies of Best Practice Investigate the innovative Local Agenda 21 planning process and the action strategies being implemented in two of these cities: Cape Town - South Africa Nakura - Kenya Chattanooga - USA Quito - Ecuador Essaouria - Morocco Seattle - USA Johnstone Shire - Australia Vinh City - Vietnam Lancashire - UK
	Q22: Summarise the Agenda 21 Plan for your two case study cities under the headings of (i) context, (ii) planning process, (iii) vision, (iv) action plans, and (v) outcomes. Investigate case studies of best practice in other Local Agenda 21 databases: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Local Agenda 21 Model Communities Programme African Sustainable Cities Network Local Agenda 21 - United Kingdom We the Peoples: 50 Communities
	Q23: Summarise the Local Agenda 21 Plan of another town or city you have investigated. Q24: Identify three principles for Local Agenda 21 shared by the case studies you have investigated.
	Local Agenda 21 Principles Sharing good practice in sustainable community development has helped to establish a set of principles for the success of Local Agenda 21 planning. These are being continuously revised by local practitioners, but five key principles can be identified: Multi-sectoral engagement in the planning process through a local stakeholders group which serves as the coordination and policy body for preparing a long-term sustainable development action plan. Consultation with community groups, NGOs, business, churches, government agencies, professional groups and unions in order to create a shared vision and to identify proposals and priorities for action. Participatory assessment of local social, economic and environmental conditions and needs. Participatory target-setting through negotiations among key stakeholders in order to achieve the vision and goals set forth in the action plan. Monitoring and reporting procedures, including local indicators, to track progress and to allow participants to hold each other accountable to the action plan.
	The strategic options available in a Local Agenda 21 Plan include: Economic Development Strategies To provide fulfilling occupations for local people (with particular emphasis on disadvantaged or excluded groups), meeting local needs and minimising environmental consumption. This may entail less emphasis on inward investment, more attention to nurturing local businesses, and treating Local Exchange Trading Schemes and community enterprises as core rather than fringe activities. Local Housing Strategies To address the full range of housing needs of people in the community, to improve poor housing conditions, and to improve the design, energy efficiency, quality and location of housing. Local Health Action Plans To set local priorities for improving the health of all in the community. Local Transport Strategies To increase the access of local people (especially the less advantaged) to amenities and services with less need to travel. Waste Management Plans To ensure effective action to reduce, reuse and recycle all resources and reduce the material flows in the economy. Local Energy Plans To reduce non-renewable energy consumption in the area, to consider the 'whole life' energy consequences of housing, transport, industry and recreation in the community. Local Biodiversity Action Plans To identify significant species and habitats, to conserve species and habitats of more than local importance and to inform and involve the local community in biodiversity work. Local Air Quality Strategies To ensure that air quality standards are met to protect the health of community members. Community Education Strategies To enhance the awareness and concern of local people and provide opportunities for them to contribute to be a vision of a sustainable community. Investigate how to prepare a Local Agenda 21 Plan.

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