Regional revitalization is community building on a larger scale, requiring deeper and broader social mobilization

Text╱Tseng Hsu-cheng (Professor, Graduate Institute of Architecture and Art, National Tainan University of the Arts)

Regional revitalization policy is in full swing, and in the face of this surge of enthusiasm, the first question many people ask is: "What is the difference between regional revitalization and community building? Since we already have a community building policy, why do we also need a regional revitalization policy?"

In answering this question, I always say that if your heart is broad and strong enough to expand the scope of community, then the meanings of regional revitalization and community building are actually the same. Both emphasize the local, the spontaneous, and action; the only differences lie in the awareness of the problem and the scope of action. The primary problem that regional revitalization must address is the imminent aging of the population and population decline; the geographic scope of concern is also larger than that of community building, and its methods are more cross-disciplinary, so that it can effectively reduce population outflow and call young people back to their hometowns or to relocate there.

(4) Community building methods and topics of concern are constantly innovating:

Over the past decade, many communities have begun to welcome the arrival of artists and social enterprises, devoting themselves to the renovation of old houses and the regeneration of neighborhoods, and promoting the welfare needs of the elderly. In terms of industry, more and more communities are also running homestays, ecotourism, souvenir development, and culinary improvements. However, whether these developments can increase employment, retain talent, or attract talent back to their hometowns is the key point that community builders should focus on in order to respond to the challenges of regional revitalization.

(5) Community building leans toward the first and third sectors, neglecting the power of enterprises:

The community building policy was initially proposed by the central government and responded to by civic organizations, but unfortunately a mechanism for enterprises to invest in community building has never been established, thereby reducing the vibrant resources of the private sector. In addition, among the three levels of government, there has always been an emphasis on county and city governments, with less capacity-building for township and district offices, so that the autonomous bodies closest to the local level are instead the most alienated, which is a great pity. In the future, local enterprises should be invited more often to join in, and grassroots offices should be encouraged to achieve the goal of "administrative community building."

(6) Young new forces entering community building have indeed brought a different atmosphere:

In recent years, there has indeed been an increasing trend of young farmers returning to their hometowns, youth entrepreneurship teams settling in small towns, and second-generation successors taking over old shops. They generally possess new knowledge and new skills, and with the convenience of internet connections, cross-professional collaboration has become an everyday occurrence. Observing this new generation engaged in community building, their mindset is relatively relaxed and their methods are relatively at ease, and they are worthy of support and encouragement. Their experience is an important reference for promoting regional revitalization, and they themselves will also be an important force for regional revitalization.

Regional revitalization is community building on a larger scale, requiring deeper and broader social mobilization

Based on the above observations and analysis, as far as the development trajectory of community building itself is concerned, there are several major challenges at the present stage awaiting a breakthrough, including that the scope of concern of community building actors should be expanded, that the power of enterprises should be actively brought in, and that the knowledge and capabilities of public offices should be stimulated, and these are also prerequisites for regional revitalization. We can say that regional revitalization is community building on a larger scale, and in the past community building lacked attention to the issue of population decline; now is the critical moment to face this problem together, requiring deep and broad mobilization of all levels of society to move together.

Referring to the development experience of community building policy, social mobilization must begin with discussion; only after issues have been disseminated, public opinion stirred, and actions explored will the problems and concepts take deep root in people's hearts, thereby supporting broader action. It is hoped that regional revitalization will become a social movement, setting off a wave in which people value the development of their hometowns and work together to invigorate local vitality! Regional revitalization should be a policy based on social mobilization; if society is not fully mobilized, the policy cannot succeed.

(In order to deeply grasp rural development and regional revitalization within the real context of Taiwan, China, "Upstream and Downstream" has cooperated with the "Rural Development Foundation" on a "Rural Development Special Topic," using a series of articles to explore Taiwan, China's current situation and Japan's policy trends. To read the full series of articles, please click here)