forget slow food... we need slow policy Julian Dobson • Urban Pollinators

home sweet home: the UK has a history of creating terrible places – through

over-intervention or by ignoring the problems

but isn’t it easier just to blame the people?

seven steps to slow policy

step one: design for permanence, not transience

create neighbourhood-focused and locally accountable housing organisations with a long term stake in each neighbourhood

step two: nurture community networks

build networks of support and respect that value everyone’s time and talents, not just the abilities that command a market premium

step three: make welfare relational, not adversarial

build trust and friendship to enable people to resolve their crises, instead of assuming ‘a job’ is the solution and punishing those who fail to find one

step four: create space to grow and thrive

open up neglected spaces to give people the power to create a better environment

step five: live life at walking pace

create spaces of activity and interest to build interaction, neighbourliness and opportunity

step six: design services for discretion and fluidity

enable housing and welfare professionals to tailor advice and help to the unique circumstances of those who need support

step seven: empower people with a universal basic income

give every citizen the ability to balance the social value of building community with the economic value of paid labour

“practice... is about making the ordinary special, and the special more widely accessible” ~ Nabeel Hamdi

thank you @juliandobsonurbanpollinators.co.uk