Final Day Highlights 2005
LivCom Awards
Highlights
Day Three
From the presentation of finalists
Sunday 6th November
Five presentations were made by those communities in
Category E – pop. over 750,000.
Ekurhleni,
South Africa – protecting the environment practically
In the birth place of Oliver Tambo, where they have a
saying that “water is life but sanitation is dignity”
environmentally sustainable practices are being delivered in
a practical way, for example, although trees are being
provided for shade, the mayor has insisted that these are
fruit trees thereby providing a source of food for the
community.
In the Blesbokspruit Park, which locals believe is
protected by a seven headed snake, their water management
means that the community can now gather the reeds to provide
a source of material for making mats which can then be
sold.
Zhangjiagang, PR China –
no expense spared on ancient trees
One example of heritage management was where over $200,000
had been spent providing a detour of a highway to avoid 4
ancient trees. In another community initiative, citizens
have adopted an area of trees and devised a “Newly-Weds
Woods”.
Lodz, Poland – Bringing
people together
The Lodz team has an interesting approach to community
involvement to overcome the multi-cultural nature of their
community – a “Festival of Dialogue between four cultures”
Tshwane, South Africa –
delivering a liveable community against the backdrop of Aids
The Tshwane presentation was inspiring to the audience and
underlines problems not found in some other communities.
Most significantly the huge problems caused by HIV Aids. By
2010 over 17% of the community will suffer from HIV Aids and
there will be 23,000 orphans. It is against this background
that Tshwane uses the five judging criteria of LivCom to
develop their strategies.
By 2010 they will have eliminated all shack housing. The
new housing which is free to all is designed to create a
home environment not just regimented housing. These houses,
designed by green architects, include electricity with the
first 50kw per month, free.
Children’s roundabouts are used to raise water from the
wells and can draw up to 1,400 litres per hour.
Tshwane also has amongst the most dramatic animals involved
in their bio-diversity programme including Rhinos, lions,
leopards and buffalo!
The awards will be presented on the evening of Monday, 7th
November by the US representative of the UN Environment
Programme. For further information please see the website
at
www.livcomawards.com or email
candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk
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