THE NEW CENTURY COMMUNITY

 

Defining the Idea

 

A "New Century Community" is a physical community of diverse people who

integrate Communities of the Future ideas into their everyday life. A New Century

Community can be a retrofitted existing area or a new development built on 200-400

virgin acres.

Understanding the Need

As the society becomes increasingly fast-paced, interconnected, and complex, the

need for positive interaction among people will become increasingly important as the

diversity of our society grows. Traditional, present approaches to zoning and physical

development separate people and functions, limiting the ability to have a sense of

community. There is a need to experiment with new approaches which integrate new

physical patterns, innovative application of technologies, and creative human institutions.

As the society continues to evolve and the way it is organized changes, few people are able

to visualize how new approaches will be developed - new approaches to how we educate

and learn, how we develop economically, how we govern, how we lead, and even how

we think.

As a result, we must find new ways to help people see, touch and envision the future.

Building a New Century Community will allow people in our task oriented society to

visualize how to connect new approaches systemically to create a tangible 21st century

community. Our culture emphasizes projects, not systems. It focuses on doing, not

experimenting with new concepts. The importance of building a physical New Century

Community is that it will introduce a "systemic" example of how to integrate 21st

century concepts of physical space, technological innovations and evolving human

institutions. Without a way to show interconnections among new ideas for use of physical

space, applications of technology and development of new community institutions, local

leaders and citizens will continue to try to make existing approaches and projects efficient.

What they don't realize is that trying to make today's institutions efficient is like

"rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic."

Conceptual Model of a New Century Community

I. Physical Layout

The basic physical layout of a New Century Community will be based on

neo-traditional new urbanism. Remember the old neighborhoods? The homes had

wonderful front porches with swings where people visited with their neighbors as they

passed on the sidewalk. People lived, worked, and played together, enjoying a sense of

spirit together.

After the Second World War, old fashioned community spirit didn't survive the

move to the suburbs. A New Century Community is designed to regain a new sense of

community. It calls for a mix of uses and neighborhoods peppered with shops and parks.

Apartments will be built above downtown stores. Various types of homes will be

involved including bungalows, town houses, and side yard homes. Residential streets are

designed in a grid and eliminate the concentration of traffic on collector streets. Residents

are allowed to build apartments or home offices over their garages, which will encourage

diversity in the neighborhood open to families and individuals from all walks of life.

The apartments might also generate additional income for owners. Houses will be offered

within a broad price range to encourage economically diverse neighborhoods.

The New Century Community will be a town within a town. This concept places all

dwellings within a five minute walk from the center of the neighborhood containing

restaurants, retail shops, post offices, florists, corner groceries, beauty shops, churches

and other community buildings. Homesites have rear lanes with a garage, thus making

room on the front of the site for the home's large front porch.

The lighting on the streets will be energy efficient and distinctive. Gas or hydrogen

powered carts and small vehicles will be utilized for helping senior citizens and others travel

within the New Century Community (NCC). Each NCC will be developed with a theme.

This theme will be integrated into the physical environment in several ways. Signs will have

a unifying look and logo utilizing the theme. Greenspace will be developed around the

theme. Color coordination will be consistent with the underlying feel of the theme. Each

NCC will have a physical fitness facility that will be tied to a preventative health program

linked to a participating insurance company and HMO. A family of trees and other

appropriate plants and vegetation will be designated to provide a unity to the ecological

look of the area.

There will be a community gathering place

There will be a community gathering place for each community to be

used as a civic space to meet for community dialogue as well as to serve as a "futures

arena." The futures arena will be equipped with computer and telecommunications which

will allow information to be accessible from anywhere in the world. This combination of

assembly area and technology will allow citizen groups to collaborate to develop generative

ideas related to 21st century issues.

Bicycle trails will be designed into the layout of each NCC. A small lake will be

carved into the topography of the land if appropriate. All utilities will be placed

underground.

II. Technological Innovations

The focus of the applications of technology for New Century Communities will be twofold:

1) To insure a strong and vital quality of life for each individual and all families.

2) To connect all members of the community in collaborative efforts related

to education/learning, governance, and economic development.

Any New Century Community will be wired with a backbone of fiber optic, ADSL

and other evolving technologies. The emphasis of telecommunications in the 21st century

will be to allow anyone to be able to access and interact with others to share audio, data,

text, graphics and video using digital technology. The emphasis on continuous innovation

will require the ability for diverse people to work with each other using electronic

infrastructure to develop new ideas to insure the sustainability and vitality of their

communities.

The following are examples of how technology, especially advances in tele-

communications, will be used to improve individual family and community quality of life in

New Century Communities:

A) Individuals:

1) Telemedicine: each residence in a NCC will provide linkage for individuals

to their doctor's office and regional medical facility. This will give doctors

the ability to monitor existing conditions, especially problems related to heart

conditions and other health issues which require constant

observation. For certain conditions, individuals will be able to take urine

and blood samples and have levels of certain chemicals measured

directly from the home. A Japanese toilet already exists which uses

sensors to measure and transmit data of waste products sent directly

to the medical facility for analysis.

A second use for telemedicine will be to help diagnose conditions

without having to go the the doctors office. Simple conditions will be easy

to determine, and may only require quick transfer of data electronically.

More difficult conditions may require a visit to the outpatient health office

in the center of the NCC. From there, data can be combined with clinical

observation and testing by a nurse practitioner, with intense interaction

between the patient, the nurse practitioner, and doctors at the medical facility.

Because there will be more emphasis on the need for preventative

medicine and interaction between local residents and medical personnel

and insurance coordinators, the data available will be able to create a

community health profile to allow those who live in a NCC to qualify for

lower insurance rates. Such available data will also allow community

health coordinators to develop individualized and collaborative group

exercise and mental health support programs.

A final use of electronic means for health purposes will be to utilize

the Internet to become part of support groups for serious illnesses, as

well as to interact with others from throughout the world who may be

able to help one diagnose a rare disease or one that has contradictory

symptoms. With the combination of existing sophisticated computer

diagnostic software linking others who have a background in certain

unusual diseases, individuals will have a greater range of options to help

with diagnosis and support than ever before.

2) Multigenerational Connections: Each NCC will have a multigenerational

focus, utilizing the varied housing units to appeal to diverse age, ethnic,

and income groups. Although necessary to allow diversity to be attracted

to any NCC, the need to insure personal linkage among the diversity will

require an intensive networking, both face to face and electronically.

Community coordinators will be responsible for finding innovative ways

to involve community members face to face as well as participating in

chat groups electronically. 8

The emphasis of multi-generational mentor teams will allow older

seniors to help those younger with support and wisdom of their

experience, and, conversely, allow youth and young adults to help older

seniors to understand the the times in which we live, providing technical

expertise for seniors to be able to use the Internet.

3) Gaining 21st Century Skills: The community connected infrastructure

will allow individuals who live in NCCs to upgrade their knowledge and

skills continuously. Each individual will be able to access information from

all over the world to find income opportunities, create new ideas, and

build network groups of mutual support. The community coordinator will

work with all individuals to help them understand the impact of trends on

everyday life. Individuals will be updated as to new technological products

and ideas that would improve their lives.

4) Neighborhood Work Center: Creating a workplace within the neighborhood

context which allows telecommuters and other home workers the ability to

work at home without working in the home.

5) Smart Products: As the 21 century nears, the combination of ubiquitous

sensors and telecommunications to share real time data, will allow

individuals to become smarter, more efficient, and continuously

innovative. The following are examples of how "smart" technology will

be used in NCCs to improve the quality of individual lives:

a) Smart Clothes: micro-sensors will be used to help individuals

maintain their clothing for longer periods at optimum wear. In

addition, special sensors will provide alarms when deodorant is

needed.

b) Smart Cars: cars will be equipped with GIS capability to insure

location under any circumstances. In addition, smart cars will self-

diagnose, telling the owner when the car needs to be serviced. The

car will automatically call the auto service outlet at the center of

the NCC and schedule a visit for repairs and servicing.

c) Smart Agents: individuals who live in NCCs will be involved with the

development of smart agents to help them structure information

important to their lives and professions. One example is the

development of an individualized newspaper that will allow

any individual to select the categories of news and the format

to be used for the next morning's edition.

B) Family:

Various technologies will be available at all NCCs that will help families

be more involved with each other and their communities. Personal

communication devices will be used to connect family members, allowing them

to have independence in life as well as be full family participants. It will be very

involved in activities which reinforced togetherness. Technology will also be used

to insure efficiency of the basics of life to include food preparation. Finally,

technology will help reduce costs and reduce financial pressure. The following

are specific examples of how technology will improve the opportunity for vital

family life in the 21st century.

1) Smart Houses: one of the most important features found in NCCs will

the "smart" features available due to fiber optic ( or alternative tech )

in all housing.

a) All electrical usage will be monitored.

b) Security features will be provided that will sound alarms as well

as provide digital videos of intruders.

c) Lighting will be controlled electronically.

d) Cooking will be controlled electronically.

e) All housing will have direct computer and telecommunication

linkage to the Internet to insure teleconferencing and tele-commuting

for home offices.

2) Wireless communications equipment will be made available to families to

be able to communicate with the house when away:

a) To turn the microwave oven on.

b) To turn on lighting and music.

c) To listen to e-mail messages in cars.

3) Family rooms will be equipped with flat screen video systems linked to the

Internet. This will be an "edutainment center" which will provide the

following:

a) Use the Internet to plan and schedule family vacations.

b) Use multimedia to enhance the learning environment. Each

family will agree on one topic per week to spend 1-2 hours together.

c) Download movies from national commercial services.

C) Community:

1) Electronic assembly room: Each community will use the civic assembly

room to develop policy using the telecommunications capability available.

Initially, electronic surveys will be made to provide basic information for

any issue important to the NCC. Screen technology will be utilized to allow

interactive information and dialogue to insure understanding through

appropriate deliberation. Before any policy is finalized, interested citizens

will meet face to face in the assembly room. Consensus computer software

and wireless voting technology will be used to build a consensus among the

residents of the NCC.

2) The "futures arena" will have a major responsibility for developing

capacities for any NCC. Electronic equipment will be utilized by a

"community capacity builder" to coach community residents in 21st

century skills. These skills will be the basis for developing "capacities

for transformation" which will insure that NCCs will be able to prepare

themselves for the constant change in the 21st century. These skills will

include:

a) Understanding the impact of future trends to provide a futures

context for present issues.

b) Knowing how to facilitate small group meetings.

c) Knowing how to network diverse people and organizations to

develop an environment for "generative learning."

d) Develop the techniques of integrating the 21st century principle of

the common good ( making each other successful ) into process

process projects for community transformation.

III. Creative Human Institutions:

Each NCC will utilize the four key concepts ( Consensus Democracy; the Digital

Economy; Transformational Learning; and "building capacities for transformation" )of

the Communities of the Future to evolve 21st century institutions for each local area. One

of the key needs for any New Century Community will be to develop "capacities for

transformation" which will help continuous innovation to improve how a NCC will govern

itself, how it will develop a "digital economy," and how it will establish a culture for

"transformational learning."

A) Capacities for Transformation:

Each NCC will establish a "futures arena" in which residents of the

community will be coached to understand the impact of future trends. Electronic

equipment will be a key factor for linking the facility to individual housing. A key

member of the staff of the NCC will be a "NCC capacity builder." This individual

will be responsible for coaching and training, especially creating "capacities for

transformation." Of paramount importance is the need to evolve a futures

context - a culture of transformation which insures that the residents of a NCC

come to understand the difference between reforming their institutions ( making

what exists efficient ), and transforming them ( changing the underlying

assumptions ) to be compatible for a 21st century society.

B) Consensus Democracy:

Each NCC will have a "community coordinator" on its

staff. The responsibility of the coordinator is to implement the concept of Direct

Consensus Democracy for each NCC. The telecommunications network,

combined with the "assembly area," will be utilized to implement a generic three

phase process once a year:

1) Electronically survey opinions.

2) Identify the most important issues as a result of the survey and hold a 1-2 day "citizens

congress" to deliberate and determine the most important factors and ideas which will frame

building a 21st century strategy for the issue. It is highly important

that the issue be considered within a "futures context." The "community coordinator" will

collaborate with the staff "capacity builder" to insure that key trends are identified and

integrated into the dialogue of the citizens congress. 3) Focus on building specific strategies to

resolve any issue within a futures context. The community coordinator will facilitate the

community teams. Once each team builds a specific strategy, the community

coordinator will bring team leaders to the assembly area and utilize the wireless and other

electronic equipment to develop two or three consensus strategies.

These multiple strategies will then be put on the electronic network to allow each household

( or individual ) to vote on which strategy is most appropriate. Each strategy will have

several components:

1) programmatic

2) financial

3) staffing

4) community capacity building

In addition to the once a year DCD Process, the mechanisms

of building consensus would be used for any issue important

to the life of NCC. Any issue which was identified by the town

council or as a result of a petition of 25% of the community

would be turned over to the community coordinator to utilize

the "direct consensus democracy" process.

C) Digital Economy:

It is expected that many of the residents of a NCC will be entrepreneurs

and telecommuters. The community coordinator will have a responsibility

to network entrepreneurs to develop new income opportunities for residents.

The "capacity builder" will hold sessions to coach those interested to learn

how to utilize the Internet to:

1) Find new trends that would open up new income and

commercial opportunities.

2) Find capital to finance new opportunities.

3) Network other entrepreneurs in other locations in support

of a digital economy project.

Each entrepreneurial network would be facilitated to develop creative

opportunities. The group would identify companies in the country and world which would

be interested in helping to develop a new idea

for a product/service.

D) Transformational Learning:

Each NCC will become a "learning community." Emphasis will be placed on

the need to understand how to develop a futures context and how to

understand the impact of trends of the future on key issues. The NCC web

page will introduce an updated section for trends and creative ideas. In

addition, a virtual "school of the future" will be established. Each resident

will be coached in the overall concept of transformational learning. The key

principles of this concept are:

1) Individualized learning.

2) Use of the Internet to access any information.

3) Creative connecting of disparate ideas, factors, issues, and elements.

4) Shift from teacher and trainer to coach and learning leader.

A key mechanism of "transformational learning" will be to identify new

underlying assumptions for each area of community life. The following are

key ideas of the 21st century which will be integrated into the dialogue of

each NCC:

1) The changing nature of change:

What is the difference between reforming and transforming?

2) Rethinking leadership:

The leader-follower idea is no longer appropriate for a constantly changing world not subject

to control and prediction.

3) Employment for a global economy:

Technology will allow the work force to be found anywhere in the world. New income

opportunities will be available no matter where you live.

4) Tension between democracy and the marketplace:

Why are the concepts of equality and inequality fundamental issue when considering the

linkage between economic and political systems in our society?

5) The common good in an increasingly diverse, interactive society:

There will be a need to help each other be successful in a constantly changing, increasingly

complex society.

6) Individual responsibility:

What does it mean to be individually responsible when people are increasingly connected

and set off alone.

7) Changing nature of competition:

The need for continuous innovation requires collaboration to be able to compete. How can

this occur in our present way of thing?

8) Aging of the population:

What are the key structural changes in the aging of the population and what new approaches

will be needed to deal with the impact of this type of change?

9) Sustainable communities:

What factors become important for communities to be able to sustain themselves in an era

on constant change?

10) Information overload:

Why is the nature of information overload going to change the very nature of how we

educate?

11) Creating vision:

How will vision be created in an uncertain world?

12) Trust, diversity and change:

We have viewed the ability to trust to be an earned right. Will this be appropriate for the

21st century?

13) Increasing diversity:

There are at least five key impacts of diversity that will change our approach to community.

Link five in a systemic way that will help provide a foundation for community transformation.

14) Newton no longer holds all the time:

If the society will no longer be based on standardized, predictable and controllable factors,

what model or metaphor will be required to describe the society of the 21st century?

15) Telecommunications impact:

What are factors to consider when analyzing the impact of telecommunications on:

structure of the economy. education/learning. governance

Conclusion

A New Century Community will combine physical innovations with technological

innovations and innovations of the spirit. Local areas will need to tailor this framework to

meets their own economic, social and community needs.