_Nature and dynamics of communities and community development .pdf
- 1. B Y : J I M A L Y N M I N O NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- 2. Outline of the Report Community Action Nature and Dynamics of community Elements of Community Types and Characteristics of community The 3 Elements of Community Dynamics Types of Social Status Factors in determining Social Status Factors Affecting Community Development
- 3. WHAT IS COMMUNITY? COMMUNITY - A community consists of families and individuals living in a compact, continuous geographic area who share a "common life" reflected in their customs, traditions, manners, and ways of speaking. It also includes the social relationships among people, which are defined by shared values, established norms, interdependence, a sense of belonging, social hierarchy, and a connection to a specific location. Despite these defining elements, the meaning of community is complex. A lack of deep understanding of what a community truly is and its role in people's lives has caused many well-intentioned community-based initiatives to fail
- 4. COMMUNITY ACTION Community Action involves communities in creating and delivering services to meet their key needs, ensuring relevance and effectiveness while strengthening communityties.
- 5. NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITY 1. It's About People Community is not defined by a place or organization, but by the relationships and emotional connections among people. Communities are formed to meet shared needs, and members experience trust, belonging, safety, and care for one another. They feel empowered both individually and collectively to influence their environment and each other. 2. People Live in Multiple Communities People often belong to several communities at once, shaped by factors such as location, culture, faith, politics, or interests. Neighborhoods remain especially vital for vulnerable groups like single mothers, the elderly, and families in poverty, offering essential local support. However, advances in technology and transportation have expanded how and where people build community beyond just physical proximity.
- 6. NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITY 3. Communities Have Formal and Informal Institutions To meet their needs, communities develop both formal institutions (like schools, governments, and religious organizations) and informal ones (such as social networks, elders’ councils, and local clubs). Informal institutions are particularly crucial in lower-income and immigrant communities, where they support decision-making, financial saving, conflict resolution, and serve as bridges to formal systems.
- 7. ELEMENTS OF COMMUNITY According to Hillery (Poplin, 1972) 1. People- the very basic component of society is people. Without this component, society will not exist. 2. Territory- when people live together in clusters, they eventually declare themselves as belonging to that particular territory. Territory therefore, pertains to a definite area occupied by the people. 3. Interaction- refers to the day to day encounter with the other members of the community. 4. Common Values- In every society, there exist a common standard of proper behavior. Common "norms" and "values" shared by each member promote closer ties to members.
- 8. TYPES OF COMMUNITY Communities may be classified in a number of ways, but they are traditionally categorized as rural, urban, and sub-urban or "rurban," as an emerging feature. A. Rural Community This is associated with "barrio" where people earn their livelihood through agriculture, fishing, and home-based or cottage industries. The barrio is composed of simple folks, and is characterized by primary group relations and gemeinschaft interactions. It is comprised of personal social ties and in-person interactions that are defined by traditional social rules and result in an overall cooperative social organization. The values and beliefs common to a Gemeinschaft are organized around appreciation for personal ties, and because of this, social interactions are personal in nature.
- 9. Characteristics of Rural Community 1. It is relatively small; 2. People are homogenous biologically, socially, and cultulirally; 3. It has a high degree of self-sufficiency, group identity, and group unity; 4. People have mutual relationships with one another, and 5. There is the presence of a dominant activity
- 10. TYPES OF COMMUNITY B. Urban Community This is used to mean a quality of life that is typically found in cities, in which significant number of population are not engaged in the gathering or production of food. (Hawley, 1971). But in reality, "urban" is both a process and a place, as the urban process cannot occur without the resources, population, and economic base.
- 11. Characteristics of Urban Community 1. Population densities are high 2. Urban community is characterized by a secondary type of relationship (Gesellschaft), which is impersonal, formal, and objective; 3. They are widely divergent group of people; 4. They is anonymity on the part of the urban dwellers.
- 12. TYPES OF COMMUNITY C. Sub-Urban (Rurban) Community This has feature of both rural and urban community. There is a creation of agricultural settlements along the country roads near towns and cities. The rurban community seeks to provide them the means for survival through agricultural activities, in the neighborhood of the urban labor markets so as to allow them to supplement their income, while becoming owners of a plot of land.
- 13. 3 ELEMENTS OF COMMUNITY DYNAMICS 1.Social Structure – the organized pattern of relationships and institutions that shape how a community functions. 2.Social Status – the position or rank of individuals within the community's social hierarchy. 3.Community Development – the process of improving the well-being and quality of life in a community through collective action and empowerment.
- 14. 1.ACHIEVED STATUS (this status can change) - A position that an individual achieves for himself or herself. 2.ASCRIBED STATUS ( this status is fixed) - A status given to an individual generally at birth and from which he or she cannot escape. TYPES OF SOCIAL STATUS
- 15. FACTORS IN DETERMINING SOCIAL STATUS 1. Authority over Others - Having the power or control to make decisions for other people. 2. Ownership of Property - Having legal rights to things like land, houses, or businesses. 3. Consumption Patterns and Lifestyles - The way people spend money and live their daily lives, like what they buy, eat, or do for fun. 4. Public Service - Services provided by the government or community, like schools, hospitals, police, and fire departments. 5. Association - Groups or organizations people join based on shared interests or goals.
- 16. FACTORS IN DETERMINING SOCIAL STATUS 6. Power - The ability to influence others or make important decisions. 7. Income - The money a person earns from work or other sources. 8. Occupation - The kind of job or work a person does. 9. Education - The level of learning a person has completed, such as school or college. 10. Ancestry - A person’s family background or heritage, including where their relatives come from.
- 17. THE PRINCIPLES WHICH UNDERPIN ITS PRACTICE ARE: 1.Self-determination -people and communities have the right to make their own choices and decisions. 2. Empowerment - people should be able to control and use their assets and means to influence. 3. Collective action - coming together in groups or organizations strengthens peoples' voices. 4. Working and learning together - collaboration and sharing experiences are vital to good community activity.
- 18. FACTORS AFFECTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HUMAN ELEMENTS Refers to the people involved: their behaviors, skills, cultures, demographics, and social dynamics. Examples: population size, education level, health, workforce skills, traditions. SOCIAL FACTORS The societal influences and structures that affect individuals or groups. Examples: social norms, institutions, class, religion, family structures, laws.
- 19. FACTORS AFFECTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS Physical and natural conditions impacting an area or system. Examples: climate, terrain, natural disasters, location, biodiversity. RESOURCES Materials or assets available for use. Examples: natural resources (water, minerals), economic resources (capital, labor), technological resources.
- 20. 1.Participation - Participation is important in community development because it involves the people who are directly affected. Since the community is made up of people, their involvement is necessary. However, participation should be voluntary forcing people can lead to resentment and may harm the success of the project. HUMAN ELEMENTS
- 21. 2. Interest - Simply put, a community development plan succeeds when people care about their community. If many are interested, they’re more likely to work hard for improvements. But if few people care, progress will be slow or may not happen at all. HUMAN ELEMENTS
- 22. HUMAN ELEMENTS 3. Leadership – Good leadership guides the community in the right direction. When leaders are clear and capable, people work better together. But weak leadership and poor communication can break trust and slow down progress. 4. Attitude – Even if people are willing to help and care about the community, their attitude still matters. Sometimes, people join activities they don’t really like, just out of duty. A positive attitude helps the work succeed, while negative or conflicting attitudes can cause problems. 5. Errors – People make mistakes because no one is perfect. In any project, errors can happen and should be expected. These mistakes don’t mean failure they’re a normal part of the process and should be handled with patience and understanding.
- 23. 1.Discrimination and Prejudice- Stereotypes and biases can cause unfair treatment and create barriers in community development. When these beliefs are common, they make progress much harder. 2. Expectation- Every society has a set of expectations placed upon those who are active in it. They can dictate what is acceptable regarding actions, appearance, beliefs, and behavior in the public sphere. 3.Culture - Elements of culture in a community can dictate how efforts of the community development process progress, simply through how those efforts translate via the cultural norms. SOCIAL FACTORS
- 24. 4. Religious Beliefs - Religion is one of society's and communities' foundations, with shared religious views being one of the interests that communities have formed around for ages. It can be a powerful catalyst for change and an equally powerful opponent, depending on the interaction between religious beliefs and the proposed changes. For community development, religion in the community should not be taken lightly. 5. Political views - It heavily influence community development, as politics shape policies and decisions. Challenges like corruption often stem from political issues, and leaders' views can hinder progress if development efforts conflict with their agendas, potentially stalling the entire process. SOCIAL FACTORS
- 25. 1.Legal Restrictions- Laws guide and limit community development to ensure boundaries aren't crossed and social rules are followed. They help leaders understand what changes are legally feasible and beneficial. 2.Government Involvement- Government participation is often necessary in community development, especially for large-scale projects. While it may impose certain restrictions, government involvement also provides essential guidance, resources, and approvals to support the development process. 3.Economics- Local economic conditions heavily influence community development. Poverty and limited resources can both drive the need for development and hinder its success due to economic instability. ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS
- 26. 4. Natural Disasters - Environmental events like earthquakes and storms can deeply affect communities. Development efforts must consider these disasters, as they often cause or worsen the problems being addressed. 5. Impediments - Geographic features like being on an island or in a remote area affect available resources, culture, and social dynamics. These obstacles are difficult to remove, requiring tailored development strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS
- 27. 1. Costs and Budgeting Money plays a major role in community development. Proper budgeting is essential to ensure funds are used wisely, especially during the planning stage, as financial limitations can affect what is achievable. 2. Availability Limited access to financial, material, or human resources can slow down development. Leaders often plan around what’s available to avoid shortages. However, too many resources can also lead to waste if not managed properly. 3. Sustainability Using sustainable resources is important for long-term success and environmental health. Unlike unsustainable ones, they can be reused and have less negative impact. Planning for sustainability helps ensure ongoing benefits for the community. RESOURCES
- 28. Conclusion Community development is a complex but rewarding process that depends on understanding the people, social dynamics, environment, and available resources. Success happens when community members actively participate with positive attitudes, strong leadership, and shared goals. Social factors like culture, beliefs, and politics, along with environmental conditions and resource management, play crucial roles in shaping development outcomes. By respecting these factors and working together with self- determination and collective action, communities can build a stronger, more sustainable future where everyone benefits.
- 30. Thank you