A Community

What is a community?

A community is a group of people united through a similar struggle with the same stories, they often pursues a common goal, concern or interest.

Examples of a community or community group:

• local action group.
• social  club.
• community council.
• village/community hall association.
• neighbourhood watch.
• playgroup.
• disabled access group.
• tenants & residents association.
• REFUGEES.

What sets up a successful community?

• A shared analysis of what social change is needed and how the members of the group will work and live together to bring it about.  
• Common agreement to a written set of principles outlining what the group expects from each member and what each member expects from the group. 
• A mutual understanding of the conditions of living together; what standard of cleanliness will be maintained, how work will be divided, extent to which individual privacy will be maintained, degree of communalisation of property and so forth. 
• A commonly accepted strategy for furthering the group's ends. 

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   Types of Communities...
   

   
   

   Community of Action A community of action is a group of connected individuals that want to change something in the world. This typically includes most non-profit/fundraising communities. Greenpeace, Acumen, Kiva, and many others.


Hybrid Communities Now, it’s not uncommon to find hybrid communities. For example, a community for online marketers in London and Geneva web communications. Hybrids are genuinely good. They focus your efforts and help you conceptualise a community that closely matches the interests of the people you’re trying to reach.


Community of Circumstance A community of circumstance is a group of people who find themselves experiencing similar situations. These are most commonly health-related communities, such as CancerConnection, Diabetes, and PatientsLikeMe.


Community of Place A community of place is a group of people bound by a common location. These include most traditional communities. The most common type of online community are those hyper-local in nature, such as EastDulwich, HamptonPeople, HarringayOnline etc.…They also include the hybrid communities – we will cover these a little later.

Examples of successful Communities...

E2’s work in the community includes schools, universities and charities. We engage from the outset to find the best feasible outcomes for your organisation. E2 can assist with grant and fundraising as well as providing thorough analysis of your brief and requirements. Ultimately, the aim is to design environments that are enjoyable to learn, study, and play in, within the constraints of budget and programme. Call today for a free appraisal.

Architecture for Humanity London is a charitable organisation concerned with the built environment. We believe innovative, sustainable and collaborative design makes a difference especially where resources and expertise are scarce. We are guided by the principle of grass roots development and focus our efforts locally. We encourage and support the locally available skills base, offering technical help, design advocacy and facilitating public education/training where necessary.
Architecture for Humanity brings together the expertise of individuals, groups and agencies to deliver high quality solutions. We create opportunities for architects, designers and other building professionals to help communities in need and organisations working for good causes.

Shape Architecture is a Chartered RIBA Architectural Practice working throughout London and the South-East. We work across the Private Residential, School and Community Sectors. Within each project we seek to create a building that revolves around the principles of space, light and transparency.