Learning cities as healthy green cities: Building sustainable opportunity cities

Author/s: Peter Kearns

Edition: Volume 52, Number 2, July 2012

Summary: This paper discusses a new generation of learning cities we have called EcCoWell cities (Economy, Community, Well-being). The paper was prepared for the PASCAL International Exchanges(PIE) and is based on international experiences with PIE and developments in some cities. The paper argues for more holistic and integrated development so that initiatives such as Learning Cities, Healthy Cities and Green Cities are more connected with value- added outcomes. This is particularly important with the surge of international interest in environment and Green City development so that the need exists to redefine what lifelong learning and learning city strategies can contribute. The paper draws out the implications for adult education in the Australian context. We hope it will generate discussion.

Keywords: EcCoWell cities, economy, community, wellbeing, sustainability, adult education