Ecopolis – the rational organization of the local community to preserve and promote a harmonious living environment.
The idea of creating the Ecopolis is dictated by dynamically changing conditions of modern life. Agenda for the 21st Century is the need to resolve the contradiction between the performance of the people in the field of scientific and technical progress and the deterioration of its habitat. It is clear that the necessary balance between the economy, society and the environment can only be achieved by creating a qualitatively new model of development is possible.
It is necessary to look for ways to meet the vital needs of the present without loss of such a possibility for the future generations. This includes re-orientation of technological and economic development in an ecological style and demands to reduce pollution of the environment, respect for the ecological potential of the biosphere, the slowing of the rate of utilization of the reserves of non-renewable natural resources, etc. It should not be forgotten that the environmental and safety only under the conditions of actual economic development is possible. It is obvious that economic development in isolation leads to self-destruction of the environment, because a focus on the environment without economic development creates poverty and social injustice. It cannot be to solve a problem at the expense of the other.
Change in the paradigm of development and the transition of the socio-economic development to the environmental and socio-economic allows realizing the human right to a healthy and fulfilling life in harmony with nature in a clean environment for the people. Firstly, this requirement is crucial for each other, he reflects on the interests of the whole community. Therefore, the creation of the Ecopolis is not only a program of environmental and socio-economic development, but also a unifying idea that is based on a very simple and understandable desire to live well. Thus, a new ideology is formed, which consolidates the local community and open sources such as the creative energy of the people and motivation to their activities.
4.2.2. Mission
Meeting the spiritual and material needs of the people
The main principle of design is human welfare. The local community is effectively developed for the case that every participant feels an interest in the upheaval. Then the creation of the Ecopolis is considered similar to the equipment of your own home, where all feel, regardless of age, social, national origin, as required and protected.
Man in an Ecopolis should have real opportunities for the fulfillment of both material and spiritual needs. The first thing people need material resources to have any worries or fear of the future, for themselves and their children. It therefore remains to improve the level and quality of life first priority.
If a person is convinced that she has a steady source of income, his psychology changes, fears disappear and the desire to take more than required. It is gradually entering a reasonable restraint of human needs, which the rejection of the currently existing thought patterns result of neglected potential for production of the biosphere and irresponsible attitude towards the world, as to the people and nature.
If the person has become supplied material, he gets the feeling of social security; he gets the opportunity to further develop his personality as an important condition to be himself with the disclosure of his inner potential. To open opportunities to meet the spiritual needs of the people.
The spiritual development of the individual involves the formation of a positive perception of the world and the self-awareness as part of the universe. The person must understand that he is not the owner of nature but only a part of it. Then it’s provided for him as a natural moral law as an ecological imperative, are indispensable is its caring attitude towards all other living beings.
The characterization of the person takes place primarily in the family, where the foundations of a world view, values of life, and their perceptions are laid. Therefore, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for the well-being of the individual families in the Ecopolis.
Principle of design is to allow for each resident possibility for creating and maintaining the family. Young people should be able to plan a family according to their needs and not on the facilities available. This requires the provision of material wellbeing, accessibility and quality of services, housing options, support for the birth and upbringing of children and the possibilities to combine work and family.
The work is regarded not only as a means to earn money but it is also an interesting part of life where a person improves, acquire new knowledge and skills, showing creativity and initiative. Thus, the relevance to the work as an opportunity for self-realization is another principle of design. In the atmosphere of a good co-operation and support in ensuring a decent pay everyone should have the opportunity of development with career advancement.
4.2.3. Strategy
The construction of Ecopolis
The design determines the direction of motion of the local community in accordance with the requirements of a rapidly changing world. Since the environmental components are a cornerstone of the whole policy of the international community, these are also the basis of the concept.
It is obvious that in specific areas of States in certain parts of the world it is spoken about environmental issues, but only under certain conditions. Therefore, the creation of the Ecopolis is not an ending but a process that can provide a decent life each of its future residents and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
On this basis the Community defines its selection, the extent and nature of the problems of the interaction between society and nature with approaches to their solution, the use of the arsenal of tools and techniques. „Think globally, act locally“ – a slogan that aligns the efforts of the local community to create the Ecopolis.
The creation of Ecopolis requires lengthy process solutions on an unprecedented scale of environmental, social and economic problems. Therefore, the implementation of the principles of Ecopolis should be considered in steps.
In the short term (2013-2020), it is necessary to overcome the negative factors and achieve a new level of environmental and socio-economic development, in which every citizen will have the opportunity to live in a sustainable environment.
Managing these problems is mainly based on the use of internal resources available: high-tech production, the creation and development of financial institutions and the brainpower. Implementation of structural reforms in the economy, increasing its efficiency based on modern, environmentally friendly technologies with current world experiences.
At the same time based on the dynamic, ecologically-oriented social and economic development of the territories, it is necessary to ensure the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems to stabilize and improve the environment, reduce waste streams, organizing their safe recycling and disposal.
For the creation of the Ecopolis not only funding and new resources are needed. Above all, a new way of thinking is necessary, based not on the consumer but to protect the environment and spiritual values. As a result, the awareness should be that any consumption should be the gradual harmonization of relations between society and nature, which is the main feature of the creation of the Ecopolis.
4.3. Strategical Direction of Development
The growing relationship between quality of life and the environment dictates the need for coordinated action in all areas of development. Therefore, the ecological component should be an integral part of all Community policies and determine its basic principles:
¨ Reliance on environmental awareness
¨ Stimulation of economic and environmental performance of the behavior
¨ Responsibility for the environmental consequences of all management decisions
¨ Early models for solving the problems of environmental development
¨ Sequence (continuity and managing the tasks of the environmental and socio-economic development).
4.3.1. Social services as a basis for improving the quality of life
The spiritual sphere as the basis of understanding the world
For the idea of creating the Ecopolis not only financial resources and new resources but also a different way of thinking are necessary. As a basis the principle of ecological imperative should be, i.e. output of any possibility of damage to the living and inanimate nature. Man must realize that he is not the owner of nature, but only one of the members of the natural community. The highest value represents the harmonious relationship between man and nature.