Sustainable Community Development (SCD) aims to integrate economic, social and environmental objectives in community development. SCD is based on a consideration of the relationship between economic factors and other community elements such as housing, education, the natural environment, health, accessibility and the arts. SCD has emerged as a compelling alternative to conventional approaches to development: a participatory, holistic and inclusive process that leads to positive, concrete changes in communities by creating employment, reducing poverty, restoring the health of the natural environment, stabilizing local economies, and increasing community control.
The SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development (CSCD), formerly the Community Economic Development Centre, was founded in 1989. The Centre’s mission is to support the sustainable development of communities through research, education (credit and non-credit), and community mobilization; it provides research, training and advisory services throughout BC and Canada as well as internationally. The CSCD offers an undergraduate certificate and post-baccalaureate diploma (both also available through distance education), graduate support, and a non-credit professional program.
For more on our perspective, see What is Sustainable Community Development?