Breuddwydion Bro - Community discusses its vision of the future

Residents of one community in Gwynedd have been studying the past and present of their communities in order to draw up plans for an acceptable future for their community.

A public meeting will report on their experiences following Breuddwydion Bro, which could be a prototype to be used in other areas, at Bangor University’s stand at the Eisteddfod on Wednesday August 3 at 10.30.

The aim of Breuddwydion Bro is to enable communities to make the most of the surrounding natural resources and ensure the future sustainability of their communities. The project is facilitated by Bangor University as a Beacon for Wales project, funded by the Higher Education Funding Councils, Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust.

Residents who chose to take part, contributed new and innovative ideas about how to reduce emissions and improve the economy as well as how to maintain the area’s culture and traditions.

Dr Eifiona Thomas Lane, who is leading the project from the University’s School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, said:

“Participants described different aspects of their community, from the physical and geographic to the cultural and economic, such as their perceptions of language and community.”

“We held discussions about how the community developed to its present situation, giving older people an opportunity to share memories of how things were and what has changed.”

“Through the discussion sessions, the project aims to provide an opportunity to plan for the future by looking carefully at the present. Having looked closely at the contributing factors for the present, the aim is for participants to help shape plans for a future for the community that would be acceptable to all.”

The results will be worked into an action plan for the community and the vision also shared with planning and local development authorities.

If successful, the project can be replicated in other communities, giving a voice to individuals in the process of planning the future of their communities.

Publication date: 29 July 2011