An exercise in creative
visualisation - if we can imagine it we can manifest it !
Imagine
a functional integrated, sustainable, harmonious,
abundant Hout Bay, with practical, win/win solutions found
for all the problems our valley faces.
Imagine
everyone getting involved in contributing in some or
other way to make this unique suburb a better place. A
warm, friendly, place where the residents are fired up
about adjusting their lifestyles towards the most
sustainable future. Where residents volunteer to turn up
to help improve something, teach something, lend
something they have, offer their spare land for
community growing schemes, or upliftment projects.
Imagine
every pavement and available patch of land bursting
forth with herbs or edible greens. Fruit trees growing
here and there and everywhere. Clean rivers we can drink
out of. Spotless beaches.
A place where neighbours
share cars, where cycling lanes take you to nearby
restaurants and shops, where all waste is recycled and
where fresh fruit and vegetables can be delivered to
your doorstep.
Imagine
a suburb that grows most of its own food locally for the
local residents and surplus is sold to neighbouring
suburbs with less land. A suburb that encourages new
energy solutions, residents that are geared up and
motivated to live lightly, conserve water, recycle,
offer more home made goods and services to save imports
and trips out the valley.
Imagine
the townships as functional, healthy, high density
areas, with planned, sustainable, affordable houses,
well electrified and with abundant facilities for all
needs. With learning centres and sports facilities,
skills workshops and market gardens. Where the
opportunity to make a living depends simply on your
initiative and hard work rather than your background or
education privileges. Where the arts and music thrive as
all survival needs are met.
Imagine
a sense of peace and justice and safety that prevails
over the valley. A community that talks to each other
and supports initiatives for change, that works on
solutions rather than complains about how terrible
things are getting.
A suburb that takes total
responsibility for and delight in co-creating its own
sustainable future ! |
THE 2004
IMAGINE HOUT BAY SURVEY
In 2004 a
survey was done in Hout Bay
- a diverse team of
70 volunteers interviewed a representative sample of 289
Hout Bay residents aged 15 years or older, living in all
three communities, Asking these questions
Appreciate what is:
Please tell us a story about a high point when you were
involved and connected to your community;
What is it about Hout Bay that you value, appreciate or
treasure the most? What is it that gives life to Hout
Bay?
What can Hout Bay offer the world?
Imagine what can be:
Imagine Hout Bay 10 years from now. The year is 2014
and extraordinary and wonderful things have happened.
Hout Bay is a community of which you are extremely
proud. Describe this community that you are living in.
Create what will be:
If you could create 3 things in this community right
now, what would they be?
What would your contribution be?How would you get
involved?
The
results of this survey can be viewed in this Powerpoint
presentation which show a remarkable similarity in
between all three groups as well as the conclusions that
were drawn.
Nothing came
of this survey but Envirochild, The 3R's project and the
Hout Bay Transition Town movement would like to revive
this initiative, reminding all residents of this amazing
valley that at the end of the day - we all want
the same basic things from our environment and for our
lives and if we work together, anything is
possible ! |
