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Replicating Sustainable Rural Cities

MAP 224

28 April 2010

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• Discuss project timeline and work completed

• Highlight significant findings

• Present main recommendations

• Discuss recommendations in detail

• Discuss Individual learnings

What is the agenda?

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What did we do?

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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• 5 weeks of in-country research

• 8 presentations and interviews in Mexico City

• 27 Scheduled presentations and interviews in Chiapas

• Numerous interviews with NJG residents

• Telephone consultations with Dr. Josh Ruxin and Dr. Stu Hart

• Secondary research compiled from 8 published sources

What was our methodology?

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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How did we divide our study?

Business

Infrastructure

Housing

Services

5 Pillars of Sustainable

Rural Communities

Community Development & Government Relations

Education Health Social Services Access to Financial Services

Urban Planning Public Buildings City Services

Managing the Economy Managing Businesses

Ownership Design Construction

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Governing Structure Resident Recruitment Community Building

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What are we delivering?

1) The material for an interactive website consisting of: Inspirational video documentary clips highlighting all aspects of the

community

Handbook text detailing the history of existing community, background research and best practices for implementation

2) A list of recommendations that Fundación Azteca can use to improve existing aspects of NJG and future Sustainable Rural Cities

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Overview video

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What were our key findings?

Infrastructure

What worked well? What could be improved?

The entire community has potable water

Subsidies enabled residents to enter the community with low initial investment

Intelligent urban planning created a foundation for long-term success

Reduce residence dependence on subsidies

Eco-friendly garbage management plan needs to be implemented

Extend high-quality road system beyond community boundaries

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Pillar video

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What were our key findings?

What are the key considerations for replication?

Ensure critical services of potable water, electricity, and communications are in place for the sustainable rural city to succeed in the long term

Partner with local government for funding and implementation of infrastructure-related projects

Leverage universities and regional architectural experts to provide important skills and expertise for city planning and urban development

Infrastructure

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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What were our key findings?

What worked well? What could be improved?

Women are successfully engaged in housing process

Cultural preferences were incorporated during planning process

Flexibility in the floor plan allows for customization

Reconsider housing rules to increase flexibility

Refine the housing layouts and materials selection

Increase collaboration with residents in planning & construction phases

Housing

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Pillar video

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What were our key findings?

What are the key considerations for replication?

Establish ownership rules and regulations aligned with project strategy

Consider regional and cultural preferences in home design

Design housing with flexibility in mind

Engage residents in home construction

Leverage stakeholder relationships and local resources to develop cost efficiencies

Housing

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

11Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Pre-screening process effectively defined infrastructure/ service portfolio of education and health

Coordination among several stakeholders raised funds for services infrastructure

Broad set of social service programs is supporting families

Expand access to basic financial service education/ products and microfinance programs

Introduce high school (preparatoria) level to the education program

Develop “practical training programs” based on regional needs

What were our key findings?

Services

What worked well? What could be improved?

Pillar video

12Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Develop a deep understanding of the region and population that will form the new community

Partner with local government for funding, implementation and maintenance of service-related projects

Consider and reflect potential effects of population growth and demographic changes in service infrastructure

What were our key findings?

Services

What are the key considerations for replication?

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What were our key findings?

Infrastructure and technology are in place to support future growth

Good support structure in place for entrepreneurs

The process of changing the mindset of entrepreneurs has begun

Establish a roadmap that enables entrepreneurs to prosper

Support collaboration between agricultural producers to extend distribution

Improve the process for selecting businesses in the community

What worked well? What could be improved?

Business

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Pillar video

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What were our key findings?

Find one or two businesses that are viable at large volumes and grow those businesses to be major community employers

Define the correct mechanism to filter businesses development and leadership

Ensure that there is a clear government exit strategy to avoid long term dependence on subsidies

What are the key considerations for replication?

Business

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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What were our key findings?

A majority of people joined the new community

Adapted existing governance structure

Services were delivered as promised

Limits of government and foundation involvement need definition

Strengthen communication between community and government

Introduce more community activities

What worked well? What could be improved?

Community Development & Government Relations

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

Pillar video

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What were our key findings?

Gain alignment with local leaders in resident recruitment  process

Establish leadership roles and community rules

Foster community development via common social spaces and activities

Develop community maintenance strategy

What are the key considerations for replication?

Community Development & Government Relations

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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• Business Pillar:

• Develop one or two major businesses (labor and/or land based) to feature increased volumes, trading contracts with major retailers, and a distinct “sustainable community” brand

• Develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce or eliminate government support over the long term

• Infrastructure, Service and Housing Pillars:

• Establish metrics and success rates to determine stability of the community which will inform responsible expansion

• Government and Community Development Pillar:

• Enhance communication system to promote a clear feedback loop among government officials, community leaders and residents

What are our recommendations?

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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How to develop and scales businesses?

RecommendationDevelop and scale one or two major businesses within each sustainable rural community

Issues Addressed

• A viable income is required for each family in the community

• Traditional agricultural production cannot support all residents of a densely populated rural city

• Industrial positions provide options for women and younger workers to earn an income close to the home

Implementation Steps

• Determine which businesses offer long-term viability at high volume and high production quality

• Develop a roadmap for “scaling up” production in those businesses

• Pool production with other communities in the area

• Establish firm trading contracts with outside trading partners (e.g., Wal-Mart, Costco)

• Market products under a common “sustainable community” brand

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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How to expand responsibly?

Recommendation• Establish metrics and success rates to determine stability of the

community which will inform responsible expansion

Issues Addressed

• Community is not self sustaining at current size

• Expansion plans are not taking self sustainment into account

• Expansion plans must be informed by metrics and milestones

Implementation Steps

• Develop metrics to measure economic, social, and environmental progress

• Develop milestones from progress metrics

• Create comprehensive expansion plan using these milestones

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224

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How to enhance communication?

Recommendation• Enhance communication system to promote a clear feedback

loop among government officials, community leaders and residents

Issues Addressed

• People are frustrated and feel that the government is not listening to them

• Long term viability of community is threatened if people feel their concerns are not being addressed

• Lack of effective communication between stakeholders is at the root of this frustration

Implementation Steps

• Hold monthly town hall meetings open to the public

• Conduct Surveys to gauge resident satisfaction and a one-on-one discussion of issues

• Publish survey results to include responses to commonly raised complaints/questions

Source: MAP 2010 – Team 224