Abundant Communities Edmonton with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus

Today’s episode is a conversation with Tammy Greidanus and Howard Lawrence from Keep Neighbouring in Edmonton, formerly called Abundant Communities. Keep Neighbouring is an initiative that builds connections and relationships between neighbors to support healthy communities, bringing folks together for block parties, place-based projects, and community development. For over a decade, the Abundant Communities initiative has focused on connecting neighbors one block at a time, contributing to a greater sense of safety and security, and providing increased opportunity for neighbors to participate in civic life.

The very beginning of this work in Edmonton was influenced by Asset-Based Community Development and the work of Peter Block, including the book Abundant Communities: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. Howard and Tammy, both neighbors and practitioners, work with Keep Neighboring and bring years of wisdom leading neighbor-led and place-based work on the ground. We talk about asset-based community development, why block parties matter, how cities and local governments can support the work, and what they have learned over the last decade of focusing on neighborhood relationships and development.

Keep Neighboring is an incredible example of a city and neighborhoods taking relationships seriously for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus.

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