Introduction toCommunity DevelopmentKhairul Hisyam Kamarudin, PhD l khisyam.kl@utm.my

By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

o Explains what community development andeconomic development are

o Determines the nature of communitydevelopment both a process and an outcome

o Briefly differentiates between growth anddevelopment

o Determines the relationship betweencommunity development and economicdevelopment

The word “community” is derived from the Latin “Communitas”

refers to the very spirit of community, or an unstructured community in which

people are equal (Beeton, 2006:4)

A grouping of people who live close to one another and are united by common interests and mutual aid. (National Research Council 1975 cited in Mattessich and Monsey 2004:

56)

A combination of social units and systems which perform the major social functions . . . (and)

the organization of social activities. (Warren 1963 cited in Mattessich and Monsey 2004:

57)

geographically as in a valley, mountain range, coastal or water catchment – or – politically as in

town and countries

geographical + political + other elements including access to services, education and the

natural environment, and differing social issues (Urban-Rural)

“communities of interest” share believe-artistic community

and academic community + professional community (doctors,

lawyers etc).

transcend physical borders advancement of ICT

virtual communities of common interest (in

cyberspace)

These definitions refer first to people and the ties that bind them and secondto geographic locations. They remind us

that without people and the connections among them, a community is just a collection of buildings and streets.

Is a dynamic and complex area with lots of interactions between human andcoastal natural processes. Rich for their history – ancient trade and expertcraftsman, sailor and fisherman

Important area for economic activities (livelihood) and also for maintainingecosystem services and conservation of natural resources

Development approach – emphasis on creating a balance between developmentand conservation of biodiversity ensure continuity of natural process andaddressing climate change issue

East Coast,860km longcoastal area,sandy beaches

West Coast,1110km longcoastal area,silt and claybeaches

Heritage value –marine

ecosystem, coral reef and marine

habitat, mangrove

Vulnerable to multi-hazard and

disaster –tsunamis,

sedimentation, erosion

Coastal (seashore/pesisirpantai) – is a beach thatjointed with land (narrowphysical sediment andstretching and conjunctionwith shoreline)

NRE definition of CoastalZone:

”Semua kawasan yang mempunyai garisan persisiran pantai sejauh 3 batu nautika ke lautdaripada garisan surut terendah dan 5 km ke daratan daripada air pasang tertinggi.”

Rancangan Fizikal Zon Persisiran Pantai Negara (RFZPPN), 2010

Pelan PengurusanGaris Pesisir

Bersepadu (ISMP)

Source: JPBD (2010), ”2nd National Physical Plan”, Dept. of Town and

Country Planning Malaysia

Coastal Area of Peninsular Malaysia in the National

Physical Plan (Coastal Zone)

Kawasan Persisiran Pantai Negara Di Dalam Rancangan Fizikal Zon

Persisiran Pantai Negara

The origins of community development are actually very old.

Some researcher traced it back to post World War II reconstruction

efforts to improve less developed countries (Wise 1998).

Some mentioned on American “war on poverty” (1960s) solving

neighbourhood housing and social problems as a significant influence

on contemporary community development (Green and Haines 2002).

BIG Q: How about

local / Malaysian

context?

enabling people who are marginalised to have a voice

in the democratic process

activities as having the potential to effect changes that will combat poverty and social exclusion and

address power imbalances in policy making

powerful force for social and

political change

Recognition that a city/settlement or neighbourhood is not just a

collection of buildings but a “community” of people facing common

problems with untapped capacities for self-improvement.

Today, community is defined in myriad ways:

in geographic terms, such as a neighbourhood or town (“place

based” or communities of place definitions), or

in social terms, such as a group of people sharing common chat

rooms on the Internet, a national professional association or a

labour union (communities of interest definitions).

Community development has evolved over the past few decades into arecognized discipline of interest to both practitioners and academicians.

As an outcome – physical,

socio-political and economic improvement

As a process –ability of

community to act collectively and

enhancing ability to do so (taking

collective action)

Community capital

Human-labour, skills, capabilities, experience

Physical –building,

infrastructure

Environmental –natural resources, climate, landscape and recreational

(Green and Haines 2002: viii)

Financial – micro loan, community

fund

Community Development Chain. Source:

To achieve community development goal, it is necessary to identify how to create or increase social capital or capacity. Thisprocess is generally referred to as social capital building or capacity building: an ongoing comprehensive effort to strengthenthe norms, supports, and problem-solving resources of the community (Mattessich and Monsey 2004: 60).

Community Development – Causality Chain

Phillips and Pittman (2009:7)

Economic development is part of community development

Economic development involves many of the elements of community development, such as participation, rethinking, action learning etc.

Aims to improve the economic position of thecommunity (improve employment, income andeconomic base) – but not necessarily lead toimproved quality of life nor involve “collectiveagency”.

Economic development is part of communitydevelopment, which seeks to build all fivecommunity capitals, not only enhancing thecommunity’s economy but its environment,social structures, attitudes and assets.

Physical terms – new homes, office buildings, new

buildings, shop, “growth” New business

coming in, job creation

“more complicated person” – increase in per capita

income, enhance quality of life, reduction in poverty,

more resilient…

Phillips and Pittman (2009: 14)

Relationship between Community Development and Economic Development

Parallel in definition:

Community development is . . . a planned effort to produce assets that increase the

capacity of residents to improve their quality of life. These assets may include several

forms of community capital: physical, human, social, financial and environmental.

(Green and Haines 2002: vii)

The process of creating wealth through the mobilization of assets (human, financial, capital,

physical and natural resources) to generate marketable goods and services. The economic

developer’s role is to influence the process for the benefit of the community through expanding job

opportunities and the tax base. (AEDC 1984)

…… whether community development or economic development comes first.

Many community development practitionersdescribe their work as community economicdevelopment.

Regardless of the definition, communitydevelopment is not just “ growth”.

Growth means more jobs and moreinvestment but implies “more of thesame” - not necessarily increase choices,networks or ability to manage change.

Development can also sometimes mean“less”, fewer people in a community -could improve the circumstances of whatpeople value in the community (+innovation).

Development can occur without growthand growth can occur withoutdevelopment.

Community development is a process, a way of doing things. It can:

bring people together help people to identify the problems and needs which they share and respond to these

strengthen contacts between communities

strengthen organisation and leadership within communities

promote knowledge, skills, confidence and the capacity to act together

help people to discover the resources that they already have

Community development also an outcome, once people are working together, they can:

take action to address inequalities in power and participation

change the relationships between communities and public or private organisations

promote increased local democracy, participation and involvement in public affairs

help public organisations to work in more open and inclusive ways

deal directly with issues they think are important

• A shift towards partnership and consensus-building models • Emphasis on the local level and creating local impacts

• A focus on the short term to medium and long term• A reliance on public funding to internal/self funding• From simple management to more complex