A methodological framework for sustainable development with vulnerable communities

Abstract

The Smart Community Development Framework (SCDF) is a methodological framework that selectively identifies and optimizes sustainable development approaches such as permaculture, sustainable livelihood approaches, community-based social marketing, environmental impact assessments and project management to effectively design and introduce clean social technologies for and with vulnerable communities. The framework was created and evaluated with the goal of ensuring community-empowered decision-making that will result in permanent and sustainable improvements to community design, infrastructure, and technology. The SCDF model is a workflow model that supports communities in establishing their vulnerability level and identifying problems; selecting targeted actions; determining resource availability and major obstacles; optimizing specific appropriate technologies and social programmes to address problems; assessing environment impact and implementation; analyzing empowerment; and developing power transfer guidelines. Local leaders, engineers, project managers and policymakers can use the SCDF model to collaborate in the formulation of effective action plans worldwide.