Invest Appalachia’s Post

What does it take for rural communities to balance new residents, retain longtime residents and cultural traditions, and develop more equitable local economies? Economic and climate trends are increasing pressure on rural regions as people relocate for better health and opportunity. However, there’s limited housing stock in many rural areas and a tradition of lower-density, smaller communities (which can create resistance to new development and increased density). As a result, wealthier newcomers often put significant price pressures on housing costs, and local residents can be displaced into substandard housing or pushed outside of the community altogether. Additionally, new residents can change the makeup and culture of a community, potentially creating friction between new and longtime populations. This growing trend of migration means that Rural Development Hubs and policymakers in rural places and Native nations have the potential to redefine and measure community strength and development success to ensure more equitable outcomes. We have seen first-hand how Hub organizations are working to increase a shared sense of belonging, decrease economic and racial inequality, and reduce poverty while building local wealth, sustainability, and resilience. Bonita Robertson-Hardy, Aspen CSG’s Co-Executive Director, recently moderated a conversation of 70+ rural leaders to explore rural migration & displacement innovations. Read what we learned: https://lnkd.in/epSw4htH

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲? 📣 By giving community land trusts a role in climate policy and converting private ownership to non-speculative community ownership, part of the housing market can be structurally reformed. If done on a large scale, this could play a central role in making our cities more livable while remaining affordable. This article was published on the blog of the International Center for Community Land Trusts, as a contribution to the upcoming webinar on ”Using CLTs to Deliver Energy Renovation and Permanent Affordability to Existing Housing” on 25 September. 👉 Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eN3cSyu9 📅 Register for the webinar: https://lnkd.in/evGpbyrz

Toronto Public Library (TPL) conducted a Social Impact Survey revealing TPL is as vital as ever to the city of Toronto. The study found TPL is extremely important in combating social isolation by providing beautiful spaces for diverse communities to gather and converge, while also providing expansive programs, services and collections where Torontonians can better themselves. Another crucial finding revealed TPL is a critical portal to resources and services for Toronto’s vulnerable populations which would otherwise not be able to access these resources. Read more from TPL’s Social Impact Survey Executive Summary: https://lnkd.in/gxFaP7px #TorontoPublicLibrary #TPL #TorontoLibraries #SocialImpact #CommunityHub #LibraryImpact #InclusiveSpaces 

World Habitat Day. It is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right of all people to have adequate shelter. Established by the United Nations in 1985, its aim is to promote sustainable urban development and raise awareness of the need for safe, resilient, and affordable housing. Each year, the event is celebrated under a specific theme that highlights challenges related to housing and urbanization. For 2024, World Habitat Day's theme is "Resilient Urban Economies: Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery," focusing on the role cities play in driving growth, innovation, and recovery, especially in the context of post-pandemic rebuilding and facing climate challenges. Many activities, discussions, and events are held globally to highlight innovative approaches to making cities more sustainable and inclusive, while also addressing issues like homelessness, housing shortages, and urban inequalities. #environmentkeyglobal #environmentalsollutions #EnvironmentalImpact #climatechange

Having just wrapped up a book on climate adaptive development, I was asked to co-author an op-ed on the Mayor of Seattle's Comprehensive Plan update. It's pretty bad for a mayor who confessed to being concerned about future generations, affordable housing, or climate. Did anyone even read the report?? Seattle used to be a front runner on housing, and while we've never been the climate leader that we could and should be - this plan will be a giant step backwards on all of those fronts. Less space for trees. less biodiversity. Less #urbanheatisland mitigation. Less walkability. Less affordable housing. Fewer housing options. More density and affordable housing limited to toxic arterials and stroads. It's also not even written with the Seattle Transportation Plan in mind. Pretty grim. We need more #sustainablemobility, #climateaction, and #publichealth in our #urbanplanning processes... #citiesforpeople #publichealth #passivhaus #stadtplanung #climateadaptation #naturebasedsolutions #biodiversity https://lnkd.in/gJZEwdaY

By 2050, cities will host 70% of the world's population. #SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities highlights the need for inclusive urban planning in the face of poverty, inequality, and climate change. World Habitat Day is a forum for these issues: https://lnkd.in/gd7hmU9

🌍 117.3 million. That's the staggering number of forcibly displaced people in 2023, a record high. With global displacement accelerating due to conflict, economic instability, and climate change, one thing is clear: housing solutions must evolve. 🏠 As we face this crisis, green, affordable, and climate-resilient housing is not just an option; it’s a necessity. Here’s why: 🌱 Green homes reduce environmental impact and offer long-term cost savings. 💡 Climate-resilient housing ensures safety for vulnerable populations against extreme weather events. 💪 Affordability opens access to safe, secure housing for displaced communities. By investing in sustainable, resilient housing solutions, we can create not just homes, but hope. It's time to rethink how we build and where we build, so that no one is left behind. #AffordableHousing #GreenBuilding #ClimateResilience #SustainableDevelopment #InclusiveHousing #DisplacementCrisis

The lack of proper housing intensifies the damage from climate-related disasters, increasing casualties and prolonging recovery. Over 1 billion city dwellers globally lack access to essential services like safe housing and clean water, posing severe challenges as urban populations could rise by 2.5 billion by 2050. Yet, discussions on housing are scarce in climate forums, especially regarding slums in vulnerable regions. Addressing this is crucial for equitable, climate-resilient urban development. https://lnkd.in/eYWPvR_Q #sustainabledevelopment #housing

World Habitat Day is observed every 1st Monday in October. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. "Engaging youth to create a better urban future" is the 2024's theme, and it centres on the opportunities and challenges associated with rapid urban growth. Encouraging the younger generation to participate in the planning of their current and future surroundings is the aim. At SHOW, we are advocates for a fairer allocation of resources, as well as more affordable and supportive housing options. As leaders and social innovators, we operate using best practices when providing permanent supportive housing solutions. #HousingForAll Find our more here: https://lnkd.in/gSC_Kucb More about World Habitat Day here: https://lnkd.in/d-Nraft #UrbanOctober #WorldHabitatDay #WorldCitiesDay #waterlooregion #showthewayhome

Environmental disparities in urban areas impact public health, economic growth, and community well-being. PolicyMap’s robust data tools allow us to visualize these inequalities, offering insights into how systemic factors contribute to environmental injustice. Explore how our data on social determinants of health, economic indicators, and environmental factors can guide strategies to create healthier, more equitable cities. Read full blog post: https://lnkd.in/gYzNW8sX