Embracing Radical Planning for Transformative Change
In a world where dynamic shifts demand innovative solutions, embracing radical planning is paramount for systemic change. Lately, I have been thinking about the significance of radical planning and how Ethical Space, Cultivating Safe Spaces, and connecting to the Land play pivotal roles in fostering resilient communities.
Ethical Space and Cultivating Safe Spaces
Radical planning begins with cultivating Safe and Ethical Spaces where diverse voices converge. Ethical Space and Cultivating Safe Spaces provide the fertile ground for inclusive dialogues, fostering collaboration and ensuring that planning processes equitably represent the community it intends to serve. By prioritizing empathy and understanding, these methodologies become catalysts for systems change work.
Connecting to the Land: Unearthing Hidden Dimensions of Radical Planning
As Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, a Mississauga Nishnaabeg writer, musician, and academic, says in the CBC Documentary, Colonization Road, “I don’t think we are having the right conversations in this country. We are talking about reconciliation… [and w]e are talking about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, but we are not talking about the land. Where the root causes of every issue that Indigenous Peoples are facing in Canada comes from dispossession… erasure, and… the system of settler colonialism…”
Connecting to the land is an overlooked form of radical planning that we, as planners, must adopt. This approach recognizes the intrinsic relationship between people and the land. By incorporating eco-centric perspectives into planning, we not only create resilient habitats but also empower communities to act in relationship to the land. All people benefit from these connections. When I am on the land, I feel the most present and grounded in my body. Everyone may have different forms of making these connections. For me, it’s through running, biking, and skiing. For others, it may be harvesting, canoeing, walking, or sitting and reading a book outside. What’s important is that all planning decisions must be made from a lens of the land. Who will our work impact? How will it impact people’s relationship with the land? Are we acting in the best interest of the land? These are the questions we must ask.
Weaving the Tapestry of Change
In a world constantly evolving, the need for radical planning is non-negotiable. By adopting Ethical Space, Cultivating Safe Spaces, and connecting to the Land, we can weave a tapestry of change that goes beyond boundaries and nurtures resilient communities. Let's join hands to create a future where planning is not just strategic but transformative.
#RadicalPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #SystemsChange #EthicalSpace #SafeSpaces #ConnectToTheLand #InnovationForChange
