Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Civic Design for the Next Seven Generations—A Discussion on Sacred Civics
Summary
In Sacred Civics: Building Seven Generation Cities, Jayne Engle and Tanya Chung-Tiam-Fook assemble visions for how spirituality and sacred values are essential for reimagining how we live, organize and govern ourselves, determine and distribute wealth, inhabit and design cities, and construct relationships with others and nature. Join us for a discussion with Jayne and Tanya on what it looks like to design for the next seven generations. Optional: read Sacred Civics: Building Seven Generation Cities in print or open access!
Key Insights
-
•
Sacred civics calls for holistic urban planning that integrates spiritual, ecological, and social dimensions.
-
•
The seven generation principle urges decision-makers to consider impacts on people seven generations into the future.
-
•
Hybrid governance models can bridge existing government institutions with innovative, participatory civic assemblies.
-
•
Cities are key sites for transformational change, often overlooked in global climate and energy discussions.
-
•
Current governmental institutions are largely structured around colonial logics and short-termism, necessitating systemic reform.
-
•
Participatory social infrastructure enables marginalized communities to exercise agency in shaping their environments.
-
•
Networks of cities provide political cover and shared learning opportunities to advance long-term sustainability principles.
-
•
Indigenous prophecies and philosophies offer profound guidance for contemporary urban and environmental stewardship.
-
•
Innovative projects like micro treaties with the Earth and food forest construction exemplify seven generation thinking in action.
-
•
Legal frameworks like the Wales Act embed sustainable development as an organizing principle for governments.
Notable Quotes
"We are all multitudes of identities and experiences, far beyond what any screen can show."
"Cities are not at the heart of global climate discussions, yet they hold tremendous opportunity for change."
"Sacred civics requires us to hold higher order accountabilities to ecosystems and future generations."
"The seventh generation principle calls for long-term decision making that transcends self-interest."
"Hybrid governance models could include civic assemblies that represent future generations, led by a mayor for the future."
"Participatory social infrastructure must be radically inclusive, decolonizing, and generative for communities to flourish."
"Proofs of possibility, not just experiments, are essential to demonstrate viable pathways for systemic transformation."
"The path of the eagle is technological growth without wisdom, while the condor represents spiritual respect for life."
"Groupings and networks of cities create political cover and co-learning spaces necessary for innovation."
"We need to hospice and compost broken systems to transition toward regenerative, people-driven urban futures."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Don’t be cool, be good. Work hard at leading and managing your teams."
Adam Cutler Karen Pascoe Ian Swinson Susan WorthmanDiscussion
June 8, 2016
"The DP&M tool has everything designers wish they could see from Jira and Figma, but often can’t because it’s either inappropriate or too hard to keep updated in those tools."
Ellie Krysl Jon FukudaPlanned Right. Managed Right. Designed Right.
June 6, 2023
"Before, silos ruled. Now, teams share information and make cross-supply chain decisions focused on customers and associates."
Anat Fintzi Rachel MinnicksDelivering at Scale: Making Traction with Resistant Partners
June 9, 2022
"Carol was really grateful for our conversation."
Randolph Duke IIWar Stories LIVE! Randy Duke II
March 30, 2020
"What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger."
Maria GiudiceEmpowering change: Reigniting purpose, passion and impact in research
March 13, 2025
"One of the biggest problems was the gap between what designers designed and what got built."
Nalini P. KotamrajuAn Organizational Story: Salesforce Lightning Design System
June 9, 2016
"Government isn’t always trusted, so we worked with local partners to connect with underserved communities."
Aaron Stienstra Lashanda HodgeLeveraging Civic Design to Advance Equity and Rebuild Trust in the US Federal Government
December 8, 2021
"Sometimes the best way to understand a problem is to run the game multiple times and see why decisions differ."
Terry BuckmanWargaming (An Introduction)
August 10, 2023
"The more generous you are, the more those around you shine and everyone benefits."
Jess GrecoClaiming your power: Practical tools for amplifying your unique voice
March 13, 2025