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Civic Design for the Next Seven Generations—A Discussion on Sacred Civics
Summary
In Sacred Civics: Building Seven Generation Cities, Jayne Engle and Tanya Chung-Tiam-Fook assemble visions for how spirituality and sacred values are essential for reimagining how we live, organize and govern ourselves, determine and distribute wealth, inhabit and design cities, and construct relationships with others and nature. Join us for a discussion with Jayne and Tanya on what it looks like to design for the next seven generations. Optional: read Sacred Civics: Building Seven Generation Cities in print or open access!
Key Insights
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Sacred civics calls for holistic urban planning that integrates spiritual, ecological, and social dimensions.
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The seven generation principle urges decision-makers to consider impacts on people seven generations into the future.
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Hybrid governance models can bridge existing government institutions with innovative, participatory civic assemblies.
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Cities are key sites for transformational change, often overlooked in global climate and energy discussions.
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Current governmental institutions are largely structured around colonial logics and short-termism, necessitating systemic reform.
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Participatory social infrastructure enables marginalized communities to exercise agency in shaping their environments.
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Networks of cities provide political cover and shared learning opportunities to advance long-term sustainability principles.
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Indigenous prophecies and philosophies offer profound guidance for contemporary urban and environmental stewardship.
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Innovative projects like micro treaties with the Earth and food forest construction exemplify seven generation thinking in action.
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Legal frameworks like the Wales Act embed sustainable development as an organizing principle for governments.
Notable Quotes
"We are all multitudes of identities and experiences, far beyond what any screen can show."
"Cities are not at the heart of global climate discussions, yet they hold tremendous opportunity for change."
"Sacred civics requires us to hold higher order accountabilities to ecosystems and future generations."
"The seventh generation principle calls for long-term decision making that transcends self-interest."
"Hybrid governance models could include civic assemblies that represent future generations, led by a mayor for the future."
"Participatory social infrastructure must be radically inclusive, decolonizing, and generative for communities to flourish."
"Proofs of possibility, not just experiments, are essential to demonstrate viable pathways for systemic transformation."
"The path of the eagle is technological growth without wisdom, while the condor represents spiritual respect for life."
"Groupings and networks of cities create political cover and co-learning spaces necessary for innovation."
"We need to hospice and compost broken systems to transition toward regenerative, people-driven urban futures."
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