One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. The infrastructure that supports the community, including telecommunications, industrial parks, main streets, water and sewer systems, roads, etc. Built capital is often a focus of community development efforts.
 

“A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan.

“The term “charrette” is derived from the French word for “little cart.” In Paris during the 19th century, professors at the Ecole de Beaux Arts circulated with little carts to collect final drawings from their students. Students would jump on the “charrette” to put finishing touches on their presentation minutes before the deadline.”

From www.tndtownpaper.com
 

There are two commonly used definitions for community:

• People living in the same geographic area who are not related but supported by a common government.
• A group of people who hold a common interest but who do not necessarily share a physical proximity. Online or religious communities are examples of this type of community.

 

The Community Capitals Framework model* [diagram] is the lens through which we see the assets of a community and, conversely, the deficits that may keep it from being healthy. There are seven community capitals:

• Natural Capital
• Cultural Capital
• Human Capital
• Social Capital
• Political Capital
• Financial Capital
• Built Capital

*This model was developed by Jan and Cornelia Flora while in professorship in the College of Sociology at Iowa State University.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. Includes ethnic festivals, multi-lingual populations or a strong work ethic. This community capital includes the dynamics of whom we know and feel comfortable with, what heritages are valued and how we collaborate across races, ethnicities and generations. It informs what voices are heard and respected, and how creativity, innovation and influence emerge and are nurtured.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. The critical financial resources that allow a community to invest in capacity building, underwrite business development, support civic and social entrepreneurship and accumulate wealth for future development.
 

Any community in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. Important to the vitality of a community, human capital includes the skills and abilities of residents as well as the capacity to access outside resources and knowledge. Communities with strong human capital enjoy leaders with the ability to lead across differences and focus on assets; these critical influencers are inclusive, participatory and proactive in shaping the future of the community or group.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. A community’s resources, amenities, wildlife and natural beauty.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. The ability of a community to influence standards, rules, regulations and their enforcement. Communities with high political capital have access to power and power brokers, including government officials and regional company decision makers.
 

One of the seven Capitals of the Community Capitals Framework model. The glue in a community that makes things happen. It includes the close, or bonded, connections among people and organizations, and the bridges a community builds to strengthen weaker ties.
 

A structured planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project.