‘World’s Most Liveable Communities 2008’ named at UN-endorsed global awards event

The achievement of global environmental entrepreneurs in leading the way to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges was saluted yesterday (Monday, 10th November 2008).

Communities from around the world which are doing the most to address issues ranging from pollution to conservation and poor housing were named at the annual finals of the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) held over the weekend (8-9 November) in Dongguan, China.
The UN-endorsed LivCom awards annually bring together some of the world’s leading innovators in the field. This year’s finalists included representatives from some of the smallest communities on the planet, (Ogema, Saskatchewan, Canada Popn 320) to some of the very largest (Johannesburg, South Africa, Popn 4.2million). 

After initial judging over the summer, presentations from nearly 50 finalists scattered over five continents were assessed by the awards panel. The focus was on six key criteria for both projects and communities which had to show strong evidence of the following;  Enhancement of the Landscape, Heritage Management, Environmentally Sensitive Practices, Community Sustainability, Healthy Lifestyles and Planning for the Future.

The finalists are divided into five categories according to their average daytime population. In addition there are winners in categories covering specific projects as well as the award of a £10,000 bursary for the most inspiring and innovative project. Ogema received a silver award in Category A (population under 20,000)

An award was also given for outstanding achievement in each of the six criteria, recognising particular innovation and best practice in the field. The winners showing outstanding achievement in each area were, Nieuwpoort, Belgium (Enhancement of the Landscape), Ogema, Canada (Heritage Management), Jiang Yin, China (Environmentally Sensitive Practices), New Plymouth, New Zealand (Community Sustainability), Johannesburg, South Africa (Planning for the Future) and Newark on Trent, England (Healthy Lifestyles).

 Heritage Management Award: Ogema, Canada

“The Heritage Management Criterion Award this year goes to a closely knit community that has demonstrated a very strong ethos of self help.”
“This community has shown how good it is at dealing with problems and opportunities as they arise.”
“With huge numbers of volunteers and generous local fund raising, the community has restored buildings, adapted old uses to new and has explored through feasibility studies and business plans the potential to sustain their history.”
“Their work on a museum, an interpretation centre, the railway line and grain elevators is impressive.”
“This community also promotes traditional festivals whereby former residents return to the community to meet old acquaintances and sustain the memories of this unique place.”
Steve Palframan, judge, UK

Commenting on the success of this year’s event, Claudette Savaria (Can) Chairman of the judging panel said: “The standard of presentations and work being done to tackle the major issues we all face is reaching new heights. Municipalities are becoming increasingly well organised in the way they approach environmental problems and many are showing an important lead that others can adapt to their own circumstances and follow. By coming to LivCom, some of the most innovative planners and communities have been able to share their expertise and experience in a way that will benefit a huge number of people worldwide.

“What is interesting is that some of the smallest communities are doing as much to contribute to change as some of the largest cities because they are willing to do so. Very often it is not just about the expertise or financial ability to meet challenges – the will has to be there to do something for the benefit of future generations. The degree to which we have witnessed this positive approach is inspiring.”

Chief Executive of LivCom, Alan Smith said of this year’s finals: "We've had a tremendous welcome from the people of Dongguan, who have gone out of their way to make LivCom delegates welcome.

“The collective progress of the global village evidenced over the past 12 years of the LivCom Awards is heartening. It also shows that in getting communities to apply joined-up thinking to issues such as environmental management and healthy lifestyles, the LivCom Awards are making a contribution to promoting that process.”

Summing up the challenge for judges, Rob Small from New Zealand said: “What we are seeing is a more sophisticated appreciation and approach towards environmental issues in particular. Whereas 10 years ago the focus was all about recycling, that is now taken for granted – the leading exponents of change have all moved on to devising more intricate solutions to complex issues.”

One key element was the way in which many municipalities have moved to adopt global targets such as reducing carbon emissions and come up with a range of answers from high tech solutions to individual behavioural change.
Another new departure at this year’s awards was that entries for the £10,000 bursary award all focussed on environmental projects with a link to community, social or health issues in a trend away from the purely environmentally driven projects of previous years.