Green Bloc Neighbourhoods
Helped communities take collective action on climate change and resource consumption, while building a stronger community.
From 2013 to 2019, Green Bloc Neighbourhoods brought together communities in Vancouver to find innovative, creative, and resident-focused ways to reduce their ecological footprints, while building a stronger sense of community. Working with the City of Vancouver and partners, the program filled the gap between individual-level and city-level change.
Green Bloc featured four main components:
- Measurement of household and neighbourhood ecological footprints
- Facilitated community dialogue and action-focused discussions
- Collaborative local greening and sustainability initiatives
- Activities to build community cohesion and social inclusion
Seven Vancouver neighbourhoods have taken part in Green Bloc: Riley Park, the West End, Dunbar-Southlands, Kensington-Cedar Cottage, South Cambie, and most recently Sunset and Hastings-Sunrise.
Engaging over 180 neighbourhood changemakers, since 2013, Green Bloc Neighbourhoods helped participating households reduce their ecological footprints and per capita consumption by 16%. More broadly, through action planning workshops, community dialogues and legacy projects, the project helped to increase individual capacity and spearhead community-level action for long-term reduction of ecological footprints by enhancing social capital and community partnerships. From DIY workshops to zero waste celebration events, Green Bloc changemakers have been integral to this project’s impact and longevity over the years.
Collaboration Framework for Neighbourhood Climate Action: Lessons from Evergreen Green Bloc Project and A Way Forward
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