Welcome to Transforming Communities | An online resource for cutting edge policies

spatial Justice:A frame for reclaiming our rights to be,thrive, express and connect

Space is currently functioning as one the most important resources for the expression of disapproval and outrage in this political moment. And although we are incredibly excited to see space being used as it is for political expression and change, we are convinced that we can use it even better. This paper outlines our ideas for that, as well as putting them in the historical context of spatial justice and injustice. more

Transforming Communities requires work across a range of issues and disciplines. It began with a series a conversations that culminated in The Belmont Meeting, a convening of 16 outstanding thinkers working in the US and abroad to imagine what policies would aid in transforming communities into the healthy, welcoming, supportive places we imagine. Building on that auspicious start, this site explores emerging ideas that use multi issue or what we call fulcrum approaches that help address root causes of social problems. We encourage you to join in the conversation as we hope this will be progressive, open space for exchanging ideas. To upload best practices and/or model policies to share, just click here. An oft quoted saying by the philosopher Lao Tzu observes that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Thanks to the incredible work going on worldwide, there are many communities – even in these difficult times – that have taken significant steps toward transformation. In Sweden, there are SymbioCities, in the US, cities are exploring land valuation tax approaches and throughout South and Central America, social medicine policies are helping to close health disparities faster and more cost effectively than expensive technological interventions. These and other ideas provide important learning opportunities for us all.

In short, through principled sharing and collaboration, we can each get further, faster, together. Stay tuned for model policies and reports on what we’re learning so far.provide practical ideas, demands and models to those working to advance progressive local policy agendas. We consider this the beginning of a widening conversation, and we welcome more voices to the dialogue. The current global systemic crisis calls for new solutions to intractable problems, and creates an opening for grassroots advocates seeking greater justice and equity for marginalized communities. We hope you will be inspired, as indeed we were, to view these extraordinary times as not only times of incredible challenge, but also as times ripe with opportunity for progressive public policy and the transformation of our communities.”