- Dr.Marta Botta, is a doctor of social science (futures studies) with specialisation in macrohistory, social change, and transpersonal foresight. Ms.Botta has a heterogenous kno... moreDr.Marta Botta, is a doctor of social science (futures studies) with specialisation in macrohistory, social change, and transpersonal foresight. Ms.Botta has a heterogenous knowledge base and is devoted to lifelong learning and a practice of arts and science. She is endeavouring to make the world a better place by education and by practising and teaching foresight methodology. Marta is keen to find out 'how things work' both on the micro (body, mind) to macro (society/culture) levels. Consequently, for many years she has been working with individuals, as a counsellor, supporting their personal growth, as well as with groups, as a foresight practitioner, to create alternative scenarios, with focus on both, transpersonal perspectives and social foresight. Her main ambition is to facilitate societal/cultural renewal through the delivery of various projects that facilitate transformational processes.edit
The ‘City as a Commons’—the idea of urban commoning—is an emerging body of ideas and practices, that have the potential to transform the ways in which we experience and shape our urban environments, and indeed world. This reader attempts... more
The ‘City as a Commons’—the idea of urban commoning—is an emerging body
of ideas and practices, that have the potential to transform the ways in which
we experience and shape our urban environments, and indeed world.
This reader attempts to bring various dimensions of urban commoning into one
place, in a format that is easy to digest, communicate and advocate for. The
intent of the project is to provide a resource for urban commons advocates,
which helps them (you) to articulate and strategize urban commons
transformation projects in a variety of areas. It is by no means complete, as the
urban commoning movement has only just begun, and the scope of this
‘reader’ is limited to who has contributed. It is merely a step on the journey
toward our cities as commons.
of ideas and practices, that have the potential to transform the ways in which
we experience and shape our urban environments, and indeed world.
This reader attempts to bring various dimensions of urban commoning into one
place, in a format that is easy to digest, communicate and advocate for. The
intent of the project is to provide a resource for urban commons advocates,
which helps them (you) to articulate and strategize urban commons
transformation projects in a variety of areas. It is by no means complete, as the
urban commoning movement has only just begun, and the scope of this
‘reader’ is limited to who has contributed. It is merely a step on the journey
toward our cities as commons.
The study presents analysis of three case studies of sustainable communities to reveal their distinctive features through the novel Models of Sustainable Communities categories. The case studies signify phases of evolution of the slow... more
The study presents analysis of three case studies of sustainable communities to reveal their distinctive features through the novel Models of Sustainable Communities categories. The case studies signify phases of evolution of the slow living concept starting from the traditional representation (Model A), through the hybrid (Model B), to a more contemporary model (Model C). Contrary to expectations, the analysis found that the latest high-tech model of sustainable community in Masdar City failed to generate an enjoyable living experience, noticeably evident in older, more established communities (Damanhur, and Toarps Ekoby), as revealed by the novel SLOW LIFE analysis. The study highlights the pivotal role of slow living concepts in the transitional period of the 21st century, moving towards the next ideational phase, according to the pendulum theory of social change. Further, the T-Cycle analysis revealed a converging trend in the shifting dialectical relationship between mainstream Western society and sustainable communities. The findings of this study indicate that evolution of the slow living concept, particularly through the past 30 years, generally followed broader trends in society – moving towards a more technologically oriented model.
Full article: doi:10.1016/j.futures.2015.12.004
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328715001676
Full article: doi:10.1016/j.futures.2015.12.004
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328715001676
Research Interests:
The current study explores external indicators of social change through the lens of Sorokin’s theory of cultural dynamics. Case studies of two master built communities from vastly different cultural and geographic backgrounds (Sippy... more
The current study explores external indicators of social change through the lens of Sorokin’s theory of cultural dynamics. Case studies of two master built communities from vastly different cultural and geographic backgrounds (Sippy Downs, Australia and Masdar City, United Arab Emirates) are contrasted to gain insight into the dynamics of social change in the 21st century. The study confirmed Sorokin’s assertion that our Western society is in the late sensate phase of sociocultural development. This late sensate phase was found to have common characteristics with the postmodern paradigm. Results of the residents’ survey confirmed Sippy Downs as an integrated logico-meaningful culture in a postmodern environment. The finding justified the inclusion of this particular population in the current study as a model of a typical postmodern community. Additionally, weak signals indicating the emergence of the next idealistic phase of sociocultural change were detected in both communities, although there was a variance in the nature of these signals. The study also revealed that sustainability thinking appeared to be the bridge to the next idealistic phase of sociocultural development. However, Causal Layered Analysis revealed a lopsided approach to sustainability: an overemphasis of green technology over the need for social innovation. The socio-semiotics analysis of urban design and architecture in the context of the two case studies helped to elicit a plausible pattern of sociocultural change. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods using the Explorative Mixed Methods Research Design enhanced the analysis and increased the robustness of the results.
Keywords: social change, macrohistory, postmodern architecture, socio-semiotics, mixed methods, sustainable
Keywords: social change, macrohistory, postmodern architecture, socio-semiotics, mixed methods, sustainable
Research Interests:
This paper offers a futures analysis of armed conflicts and its detrimental impact on the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It draws on macrohistory to contextualize war along its... more
This paper offers a futures analysis of armed conflicts and its detrimental impact on the three
pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It draws on macrohistory to
contextualize war along its socio-political and psychological drivers and explores alternative options
for conflict resolution. The macrohistory perspective offers an alternative view of armed conflict, as a
vehicle of social change, due to its disruptive action on stagnating social conditions. War, as a feature
of the dominator society, is a barrier to sustainable development. Hence, to enable global sustainable
futures, the Causal Layered Analysis suggests plausible routes towards a partnership society.
pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. It draws on macrohistory to
contextualize war along its socio-political and psychological drivers and explores alternative options
for conflict resolution. The macrohistory perspective offers an alternative view of armed conflict, as a
vehicle of social change, due to its disruptive action on stagnating social conditions. War, as a feature
of the dominator society, is a barrier to sustainable development. Hence, to enable global sustainable
futures, the Causal Layered Analysis suggests plausible routes towards a partnership society.
Research Interests:
In the past few decades there has been a statistical increase in the number of natural disasters like windstorms, floods, droughts, cold spells, heatwaves, and earthquakes worldwide. It has been established, that this increase is due to... more
In the past few decades there has been a statistical increase in the number of natural disasters like windstorms, floods, droughts, cold spells, heatwaves, and earthquakes worldwide. It has been established, that this increase is due to climate change globally (Ruth & Ibarraran, 2009) as well as locally (Environment Canterbury, 2011). Natural disasters have an effect on both physical and social infrastructure - loss of property, livelihood, disrupted family/social relationships and economic hardship. All of these areas have been affected by the recent earthquakes in Christchurch. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4.September 2010 and the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22.February 2011, followed by 26 aftershocks resulted in significant damage, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the city (Benett, 2011). Since intensifying geophysical changes like the Christchurch earthquakes are most likely attributable to accelerating climate change (Barratt et al., 2010), it would be prudent, that on top of earthquake proofing, climate change is given due consideration in the city’s rebuilding plans.
Brings together 34 contributions which explore policy options and strategies for creating cities as commons - common pool resources - for urban development and transformation. Each contribution explores a different aspect of commoning a... more
Brings together 34 contributions which explore policy options and strategies for creating cities as commons - common pool resources - for urban development and transformation. Each contribution explores a different aspect of commoning a city and proposes strategies and provides policy recommendations based on existing projects around the world. Topics include:
Design and the City Commons
Active Transit & City Commons: Putting People Back into the City & the City Back into Place
Repurposing Public Spaces in a City as a Commons: the Library .
Heritage and City Commons
Sharing Cities: An Asset-based Approach to the Urban Commons
Community Currencies and City Commons
Time Banks and City Commoning
Construction Waste Transformation and City Commons
Platform Cooperatives for Democratic Cities Coworking: Challenges and Opportunities for a Prosperous and Fair New Economy
Orchards and the City as a Commons
Cosmo-localism and Urban Commoning
City Commons and Energy Demand
It’s Time to Create Chambers of Commons
Sharing Cities: Governing the City as Commons
Devolved Commons Governance for Cities
Anticipatory Governance and the City as a Commons
A Civic Union
Tax Reform for a Commons-based City
Tax Delinquent Private Property and City Commons
Community Land Trusts
The City as a Regional Commons
Open Data and City Commons
Human Service Directory Data as a Commons
The Unseen City: Commons Oriented Cities and the Commons Beyond
Culture as Commons
Ubuntu as a Primer for City Commons
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and the City as Commons
Bologna Celebrates One Year of a Bold Experiment in Urban Commoning
Milano, New Practices to Booster Social Innovation
The Emergence of Assemblies of the Commons
History and Evolution of the Chamber of Commons Idea
Big Blue Sky: Re-igniting the Art of Citizenship
Zaragoza Activa, an Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation and Creativity, in an Old Sugar Factory
Design and the City Commons
Active Transit & City Commons: Putting People Back into the City & the City Back into Place
Repurposing Public Spaces in a City as a Commons: the Library .
Heritage and City Commons
Sharing Cities: An Asset-based Approach to the Urban Commons
Community Currencies and City Commons
Time Banks and City Commoning
Construction Waste Transformation and City Commons
Platform Cooperatives for Democratic Cities Coworking: Challenges and Opportunities for a Prosperous and Fair New Economy
Orchards and the City as a Commons
Cosmo-localism and Urban Commoning
City Commons and Energy Demand
It’s Time to Create Chambers of Commons
Sharing Cities: Governing the City as Commons
Devolved Commons Governance for Cities
Anticipatory Governance and the City as a Commons
A Civic Union
Tax Reform for a Commons-based City
Tax Delinquent Private Property and City Commons
Community Land Trusts
The City as a Regional Commons
Open Data and City Commons
Human Service Directory Data as a Commons
The Unseen City: Commons Oriented Cities and the Commons Beyond
Culture as Commons
Ubuntu as a Primer for City Commons
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and the City as Commons
Bologna Celebrates One Year of a Bold Experiment in Urban Commoning
Milano, New Practices to Booster Social Innovation
The Emergence of Assemblies of the Commons
History and Evolution of the Chamber of Commons Idea
Big Blue Sky: Re-igniting the Art of Citizenship
Zaragoza Activa, an Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation and Creativity, in an Old Sugar Factory