Introduction | The Problem | Local Goals | Plus/Minus
Relocalization is a set of strategies that seek to redesign local communities to be more energy independent and sustainable, to produce more food locally, and to rebuild a sense of community. Relocalized communities are based on the production of food, energy, and other primary goods at the local level. Other strategies include the growth and nurturing of local forms of exchange, governance, and culture.
According to relocalize.net, “the main goals of Relocalization are to increase community energy security, to strengthen local economies, and to dramatically improve environmental conditions and social equity.”
The concept of Relocalization strategy emerged primarily as a response to the devastating impacts of dependence on inexpensive carbon-based energy. This dependency has led to global climate change, the erosion of community and society, geopolitical resource conflicts, and global economic instability.
Relocalization as a planning strategy is intended to assist communities and organizations to become more independent of the highly volatile global system and more likely to survive and thrive in a more sustainable and community-based setting. It is our belief that the most effective community development strategies are put into practice at the local level and thus our recommendations and plans reflect this focus.
Next: The Problem
