384 A Healthy Home
Planning with Communities
When people plan and build their own homes and communities together, they
have more control over their lives and can develop a plan that fulfills their
needs, hopes, and desires. As much as possible, governments and community
development agencies should involve people in planning and maintaining their
own housing projects. Remember, at its best, a community is more than a
group of houses. In a vibrant community, each home is connected by shared
public spaces, such as gardens, water and washing facilities, markets, schools,
and other places where people interact.
Building housing requires people to work together. If planners, builders,
development agencies, and housing providers encourage people to work
together in ways that promote education, skill-sharing, and full participation,
they will not only build housing, they will build healthy communities.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012