| Birmingham has won the Eurocities 2009 award for participation. The award is part of Eurocities urban challenges sustainable solutions programme and awards cities that promote citizen participation in solving climate change or stimulating the economy. Birmingham’s submission into the award scheme was the Summerfield Eco Village. “Summerfield is a culturally diverse, inner-city area of Birmingham, located in one of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods. In 2004, residents formed Summerfield Residents Association (SRA). Their aim is to make Summerfield a thriving community. They were particularly keen to reduce household turnover, improve the local environment and tackle ‘eco’ issues in order to encourage a more cohesive and sustainable community. Over the past few years, Family Housing Association (FHA), Birmingham City Council (BCC), Be Birmingham and Urban Living (UL) (a Housing Market Renewal Area Pathfinder project) have worked together in partnership with Summerfield residents to secure funding and deliver a range of innovative programmes of work that address these key issues. Summerfield is now recognised as Birmingham’s first ’Eco Village’” reads the project summary. |
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