SPONGE COLLABORATIVE +
WEAVING WITH WATER Team
MULLASSERY CANAL FRAMEWORK AND CANAL EDGE MASTERPLAN
Figure 50 - A network of community groves can empower residents to manage waste, water, and urban food production, while making streets safer (Image Credit: Sponge Collaborative)
2.3.4 Principles: The EMPOWER framework is set on the principles to inform and engage all stakeholders, collaborate with stakeholders to formulate community-led solutions, and provide instrumental support in the form of funding, and capacity building. The solutions work at the scales of household, neighbourhood, and city.
Figure x - The Community Principles use solid waste management as a proxy to depict how community networks can be empowered to take charge of civic issues (Image Credit: Sponge Collaborative)
The Empower Framework principles present a strategic framework for developing the Mullassery Canal precinct as a cohesive, inclusive, and safe neighborhood that promotes wellbeing for all by creating a blueprint for stakeholders to participate in their communities through design strategies and spaces that facilitate the formation of social ties and networks. Support households in the form of government subsidies to set up a bio-gas plant, composting unit or kitchen garden at household level, build neighbourhood institutions such as swap shops, material recovery facility and community centres, and spur capacity building at the city level for the creation of green jobs in tandem with the needs of the circular waste management network. The four basic principles underlying the Empower framework are : 5. Inform all stakeholders about solid waste management and canal stewardship by a. Building awareness of how waste can be turned into a resource, by showcasing examples of circular economy in practice at the household level b. Creating community awareness through community education programmes at the level of the neighbourhood by engaging with residents’ welfare associations by walking the neighbourhood and activating public spaces within the neighbourhood for community events and exhibitions c. Creating systemic awareness amongst civil society organisations and government agencies at the city level of the Mullassery Canal Precinct Framework approach.
