Networks of Community Sharing as Therapeutic Landscape
摘要
This chapter explores the connection between community sharing activities and health/well-being/quality of life, as framed via the concept of therapeutic landscapes. The sharing economy can be defined in many ways, but this chapter describes sharing activities as activities that involve the sharing of knowledge, materials, and/or resources, without profit-making goals. These activities may flow among individuals or from community organizations to individuals. Common examples include clothing swaps, community fridges, bike repair workshops, tool libraries, Buy Nothing groups, community gardens, and sewing skill-sharing programs. Sharing activities have been shown to reduce environmental impacts and resource use, save time and money for individuals, and increase societal equity. Participating in shared experiences, collaborating with others, and engaging in social interaction through these activities can also increase a sense of place, belonging, and community cohesion. This chapter will present an overview of the concept of community sharing networks as present in the literature, with a focus on identifying and exploring connections with human health, well-being, and quality of life. Additionally, this chapter will discuss a case study on community sharing activities in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This case study explores how the geographic context of the city influences the sharing activities and networks. Further, the case study will touch on the impacts of these activities on the community more broadly, such as how they are connected to sense of place and community connectedness. Based on the thematic results of the case study, a discussion of the potential contribution of community sharing networks to the development of therapeutic landscapes and health-promoting communities will be provided. The chapter will conclude with recommendations for future research in this area.