Summer 2018-2019: Murdoch University SUS301 Resilient Regions Report

This report, prepared for the SUS301 Resilient Regions: Sustainability in Practice unit at Murdoch University, delves into the core concepts of regional resilience. It explores key factors influencing resilience, including the provision of basic needs such as hygienic water, food, and shelter, as well as the availability of assets (physical, social, financial, and natural) and access to external resources. The report then examines the dimensions of bioregionalism, highlighting the significance of economic and cultural factors in shaping regional sustainability, with examples from Perth and Denmark. Finally, it discusses the concept of "sense of place," emphasizing the role of multiculturalism and environmental stewardship in fostering a strong regional identity. The report concludes by referencing relevant academic sources to support its analysis.

Running head: SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Resilient Regions: Sustainability in Practice
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Response 1: Region or Community Resilient
Resilience had become the catch-phrase of the contemporary times and is usually used
to measure the sustainability of a particular region or a community (Walker and Salt 2012). I
personally believe that there are three major factors which determine whether a particular
region or community is resilient or not, namely, the basic needs, assets and the access to
external resources. More importantly, a resilient region or community as part of the basic
needs is also to offer hygienic water, food, shelter, sanitation and others to its (Hopkins
2009). On the other hand, as part of assets the resilient regions or communities are required to
offer physical, social, financial, natural and others similar ones to the members of the region
or the community over which they not only have full ownership but also can be used to fulfil
their basic psychosocial needs (Sale 2000). Lastly, the access to outside resources refers to
the ability of the community or region to bring in external resources from other places over
which the individuals although do not have full ownership yet is important for them (Walker
and Salt 2012). In this context, mention needs to be made of the nation of Denmark which in
the recent times had emerged as one of the resilient countries of the world because of the
effective utilisation of the above three resources. Thus, I would say that these in short are
some of the key features or indicators of a resilient region or community and the resilience of
a community or region needs to be accessed on the extent to which it boosts of the above
mentioned features.
Response 2: Dimensions of Bioregionalism
There are various dimensions of bioregionalism like economic, cultural, political,
transportation, health, energy, food, water, population and others (Sale 2000). However, I
personally believe that the two most important dimensions of bioregionalism are economy
and culture. This can be explained on the basis of the fact that the economic factors

2SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
determines the manner in which the resources of any region or community will be utilised
and culture determines the kind of interact that will exists between the members of the region
or community and the environment (Thayer 2003, pp. 67). A look at the city of Perth, the city
in which I live in, clearly reveals the fact that these two factors have contributed in a
significant manner towards the bioregionalism of the city. In this regard, it needs to be said
that the city of Perth is not only one of the most prosperous ones of Australia in economic
terms but at the same time the resources of the city are being used in an ethical or responsible
manner. More importantly, the city had evolved a unique culture through it is trying to reduce
its ecological footprinting and also promote the kind of culture wherein the people would feel
the urge to work for the improvement as well as conservation of natural resources and the
planet itself. The Mt Lindesay Ethical Farmers, Denmark is another example of a region
which in the recent times through the effective usage of the different dimensions of
bioregionalism had emerged as one of the most important examples of bioregionalism.
Response 3: Sense of place
The process of multiculturalism or the harmonious coexistence of people from
different cultural as well as social backgrounds is the fact which forms of endemic sense of
place for the city of Perth. I personally believe that it is this process of multiculturalism
which not only unites the different people who reside in the city but at the same time forms a
part of the identity of the city. More importantly, this endemic sense of place becomes
manifested at all levels of the city, namely, ecological, social, cultural or economic realms
(Albrecht 2010, pp.231). For example, at the societal and cultural level, the process of
multiculturalism had created a people-friendly city which is not only liked by the people of
the city but at the same time the visitors as well. At the ecological level, this endemic sense of
place influences the people of the city to utilise both the internal and external resources in a
responsible manner without causing any significant damage to the environment. Lastly, the

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harmonious coexistence between the people by means of collaboration had in turn helped in
the creation of a stable economy which in turn adds to the sense of place felt by the people of
the city and also the visitors. On the contrary, the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps is the
factor which adds to the endemic sense of place of the region.

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References
Albrecht, G.A. 2010. ‘Solastalgia and the Creation of New Ways of Living’, in Pretty, J. and
Pilgrim S., (eds), Nature and Culture: Rebuilding Lost Connections, London, Earthscan, pp.
217-234.
Hopkins, R. 2009. ‘Resilience Thinking.’ Resurgence. No. 257 November/December.
Sale, K. 2000. “Dwellers in the Land”. Chapter 4 in Dwellers in the Land: The Bioregional
Vision. Athens: University of Georgia Press.
Thayer, R. L. 2003. “Introduction” in Life-Place: Bioregional Thought and Practice.
Berkeley, CA, USA: University of California Press.
Walker, B. and Salt, D. 2012. “Preparing for Practice: The Essence of Resilience Thinking”.
Chapter 1 in Resilience Practice. Washington: Island Press.