A Community Engagement Framework

One of the persistent challenges in sustainability is fragmentation (only focusing on one sector or one kind of capital). A model that encourages integration (social, ecological, economic, cultural) can help avoid silos or unintended tradeoffs (e.g. “green” policy that hurts communities).

Engagement Framework

A community engagement framework can help cities and communties structure their journey in sustainability more strategically..

Potential Multiplier Effect

Adoption of this model at scale could shift the “quality” of sustainability work across many domains, raising resilience and coherence. 

Conceptual rigor

Models that codify feedback loops and relational thinking have the potential to guide more disciplined interventions rather than ad hoc ones.

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Community Narratives as Usable Data

When translated into reliable and actionable data lived-experience narratives provide more inclusive foundation for city plans, policies, and programs. 

Pillars of Focus

apsi’s Environmental Holism Program (EHP) provides the basis for development of a statistical data modeling tool that combines GIS with life cycle analysis, storytelling narratives and green infrastructure solutions in underserved and frontline communities. The EHP tool will empower cities, planners, nonprofits, and local residents to co-design solutions that reduce climate risk, enhance community resilience, and promote environmental equity.

The diagram above shows issues shared by several local community-based organizations. Collected during listening sessions, these 4 categories represent what residents perceive as equitable quality of life issues or EQOL.

Terms:

*KPI: Key Performance Index
**EHP: Environmental Holism Program

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Conceptual Modeling

    • Breadth and scale: how many people or systems are affected (local, regional, global)

    • Depth of change: superficial changes (e.g. awareness) versus structural change (policy, economic incentives)

    • Durability and resilience: whether the changes persist over time and adapt to stress

    • Trade-offs or unintended consequences: resource consumption, rebound effects

    • Coherence with planetary limits: do they remain within ecological boundaries, rather than pushing more impact elsewhere

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