CITBA Flagships Community Empowerment, Sustainable Growth, and Resilient Economies

Community Empowerment, Sustainable Growth, and Resilient Economies

JCU

The "Community Empowerment, Sustainable Growth, and Resilient Economies" flagship of the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is designed to support the transition towards nature-positive economies, aligning with JCU’s Research Direction 8. This initiative responds to the limitations of traditional approaches in managing external risks such as climate change, public health emergencies, and economic instability, recognizing that sustainability and decarbonization must be integrated into economic strategies for long-term resilience.

Addressing Systemic Gaps in Economic and Environmental Resilience

Existing frameworks for climate change adaptation, public health emergency management, and economic growth models have often overlooked the fundamental structural transformations required for sustainable economic development. These methods have not sufficiently accounted for:

  • The evolving industrial landscape and the rise of new competitive advantages and workforce skills.
  • The need for community-driven, adaptive solutions to external shocks such as climate change, natural disasters, and economic disruptions.
  • The integration of decarbonization and circular economy principles into long-term economic planning.

Communities that are particularly vulnerable to external shocks—including climate change, resource depletion, and socioeconomic transitions—require more than reactive policies. They need proactive strategies that enhance their adaptive capacity and unlock sustainable development pathways in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Recognizing transformative growth, decarbonization, and the strategic reallocation of economic resources as key solutions is, therefore, essential.

Aligning Economic Growth with Decarbonization and Sustainability

Economic shocks can lead to social disorganization and increased vulnerability, particularly when communities face intensified competition for limited resources following sudden disruptions. Without an integrated approach, the transition to a low-carbon economy could further widen existing economic disparities. This flagship seeks to ensure that decarbonization is not only an environmental necessity but also an opportunity for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

By leveraging low-carbon industries, renewable energy, and sustainable business models, this flagship aims to:

  • Enhance economic resilience by creating new job opportunities and fostering business innovation.
  • Bridge the gap between economic development and climate action by embedding decarbonization into regional development strategies.
  • Promote inclusive, community-driven development that supports regional competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Strategic Goals & Objectives

This flagship directly supports JCU Research Direction 8, which emphasizes the transition to nature-positive economies, decarbonization, circular economy models, and advanced manufacturing. It is also closely aligned with:

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The flagship is structured around three core objectives:

1. Investigating the Nexus Between Socio-Environmentally Responsible Communities and Inclusive, Sustainable Growth

  • Research how communities that prioritize social and environmental responsibility can drive inclusive, transformative economic growth.
  • Explore the role of sustainability-focused business models and governance structures in fostering resilient economies.
  • Assess how decarbonization and climate-conscious economic policies influence long-term growth in both urban and regional contexts.

2. Empowering Communities for Climate Action and Decarbonization

  • Develop and implement capacity-building programs that equip communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources to actively participate in climate action and decarbonization efforts.
  • Support the transition of regional economies towards low-carbon industries, renewable energy adoption, and circular economic models.
  • Facilitate community-driven sustainability initiatives that align with economic development goals while enhancing climate resilience.

3. Fostering Transformative Regional Development

  • Identify and implement policy frameworks that drive sustainable and resilient economic growth in both established and emerging industries.
  • Develop data-driven strategies for regional competitiveness, ensuring that communities can adapt to economic and environmental shifts.
  • Promote the adoption of circular economy models and resource-efficient practices, enhancing both economic and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

The "Community Empowerment, Sustainable Growth, and Resilient Economies" flagship is a proactive response to the increasing urgency for economic models that integrate sustainability, resilience, and decarbonization. By aligning with JCU’s Research Direction 8, it provides a strategic framework for fostering inclusive, sustainable, and competitive economies that are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of climate change, resource constraints, and shifting global economic landscapes.

The flagship has three major objectives:

Goals

  1. Urban Dynamics, Urban Planning, and Sustainable Economic Development (Completed)
  2. Urban Design and Economic Growth: A Tale of Two Cities (Completed)
  3. Climate-resilient economic development and sustainable city planning (ongoing)
  4. PhD Project: Community-based tourism, a sustainable path to 2030 agenda (PhD completed)
  5. Transforming cities through public urban green spaces to build community well-being: comparative studies 
  6. Measuring social and physical wellbeing of age-friendly residential buildings (Completed)
  7. The Role of Entrepreneurship in Urban Economics in the Tropics (Completed)
  8. Distance, Migration, and Sustainability of Regions  (on going)
  9. Repurposing the World between the Plate and The Bin :  A  Case Study Analysis into the behavioural, cultural and operational factors contributing to food wastage in a University Canteen. (ongoing)
  10. Emerging Technologies for Resilient Communities (ongoing)

Media releases

Publications

Lignier, P., Jarvis, D., Grainger, D., & Chaiechi, T. (2024). How selective mobility, social and ecological influence may impact geographic variations in life satisfaction scores: An Australian longitudinal study. Social Indicators Research, 173, 803–826.

Lignier, P., Jarvis, D., Grainger, D., & Chaiechi, T. (2023). Does the climate impact satisfaction with life? An Australian spatial study. Weather, Climate, and Society, 15(1), 159–175.

Azzali, S., Yew, A.S.Y., Wong, C. and Chaiechi, T. (2022), "Silver cities: planning for an ageing population in Singapore. An urban planning policy case study of Kampung Admiralty", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 281-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-09-2021-0252

Chaiechi, T., Pryce, J., Eijdenberg, E., & Azzali, S. (2022). Rethinking the Contextual Factors Influencing Urban Mobility: A New Holistic Conceptual Framework. Urban Planning, 7(4), 140-152. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v7i4.5784

Chaiechi, T., Eijdenberg, E.L. (2022). Entrepreneurship, Knowledge-Economy and Economic Success of Cities: A Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis. In: Chaiechi, T., Wood, J. (eds) Community Empowerment, Sustainable Cities, and Transformative Economies. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5260-8_6

Kapoor, M., Chaiechi, T., Deo, S., Darda, P., Sane, A., Chitnis, R. (2022). The Kaleidoscope of Changing Values: Are We Heading Towards Responsible Consumption and Sustainable Society? Lessons from Pune, India. In: Chaiechi, T., Wood, J. (eds) Community Empowerment, Sustainable Cities, and Transformative Economies. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5260-8_22

Azzali, S., Yew, A.S.Y., Chaiechi, T., Wong, C. (2022). Urbanisation and Well-Being of Ageing Population in

Chaiechi, T., Gabriel, J., Esparon, M., & Sievers, K. (2022). Making nature’s value visible: Valuing the contribution of nature to Papua New Guinea’s economy and livelihoods [Report]. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Chaiechi, T., & Wood, J. (Eds.). (2022). Community empowerment, sustainable cities, and transformative economies. Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5260-8

Chaiechi, T. (2021). Editorial- The Resilience Shift: It is All in the Partnership. Journal of Resilient Economies (ISSN: 2653-1917), 1(2), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.25120/jre.1.2.2021.3869

Chaiechi, T., & Nguyen, T. (2020). Measuring urban economic resilience of two tropical cities, using impulse response analysis. Bulletin of Applied Economics. https://doi.org/10.47260/bae/814

Sugiharti, D. S. S., Chaiechi, T., & Pryce, J. (2020). Community-based tourism in villages surrounding Borobudur Temple in Central Java and an inclusive and sustainable path to 2030 agenda. In CAUTHE 2020: 20: 20 Vision: New Perspectives on the Diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events. Auckland University of Technology. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.046470648944403

Chaiechi, T. (2020). Urban design and economic growth: An analytical tale of two tropical cities. eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.19.2.2020.3741

Chaiechi,T,( 2020). Sustainable tropical cities: A scoping review of multidisciplinary methods for urban planning. eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics, 19(2). Available at: https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.19.2.2020.3743

Flagship Research and Thought Leadership Events

As part of CITBA’s commitment to advancing scholarship, innovation, and policy impact, our Flagship Research and Thought Leadership Events serve as key platforms for academic exchange, industry collaboration, and global discourse. These events bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore critical challenges in economic resilience, sustainable urban futures, digital transformation, and more.

The Center for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA), the only research center within the College of Business, Law, and Governance (CBLG) at James Cook University, Australia, presents "Reskilling Horizons: AI, The Future of Work, and the Quest for a Resilient, Sustainable Tomorrow." This conference beckons a confluence of thought leaders, industry innovators, and academic luminaries to delve into the intricate interplay between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, our conference promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, while exploring the transformative potential of AI.

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This annual meeting transcends traditional networking; it is a dynamic forum where participants actively engage in discussions, deliberations, and the formulation of collaborative ventures. As a participant affiliated with JCU, a government official, or an independent practitioner, your distinctive insights carry immense weight in the collective effort to propel our region towards unprecedented growth.

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The BEMAS 2022 Conference brought together leading academics, policymakers, and industry professionals to explore innovative strategies for economic resilience and sustainable urban development in the post-COVID-19 era.

With the theme "Re-imagining Economic Resilience and Urban Futures," the conference featured diverse tracks, including:
✅ Urban Mobility and Health Economic Benefits – Addressing sustainable transport and its impact on urban well-being.
✅ Entrepreneurship, Knowledge Economy & Resilience – Exploring the role of innovation in economic recovery.
✅ Intra and Peri-Urban Agriculture & Food Security – Discussing strategies for urban food sustainability.
✅ Resilience and Recovery Strategies for Urban Tourism – Evaluating post-pandemic recovery in tourism sectors.
✅ Digital Transformation & Re-shaping Urban Futures – Examining how technology is reshaping cities.
✅ The Digital Economy: Opportunities and Threats – Assessing the risks and benefits of digital financial ecosystems.
✅ New Frontiers in Interactive Marketing – Exploring emerging trends in digital marketing strategies.
✅ Sustainable Management: The Role of University-Industry Cooperation – Strengthening academia-industry partnerships for sustainable growth.
✅ Management for Sustainable and Resilient Urban Futures – Fostering leadership strategies for resilient urban planning.

BEMAS 2022 sparked thought-provoking discussions and generated collaborative solutions for building stronger, more adaptive urban economies. The conference served as a platform for knowledge-sharing, setting the stage for continued research and innovation in urban resilience and economic transformation.

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The BEMAS 2021 Conference provided a dynamic platform for scholars, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches to community empowerment, sustainable cities, and transformative economies.

With the theme "Community Empowerment, Sustainable Cities, and Transformative Economies," the conference featured a diverse range of thought-provoking discussions across key tracks:
✅ Urban Planning, Public Spaces, and Sustainable Economic Growth – Exploring the role of urban design in fostering economic resilience.
✅ Understanding the Principles of Resilient Economies – Examining strategies for economic sustainability in uncertain times.
✅ Society and Community-Based Initiatives in the Time of Crisis – Highlighting grassroots solutions for social and economic challenges.
✅ Business, Management, and the Sustainable Path to the 2030 Agenda – Aligning business strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
✅ Sustainable Marketing, Community, and the Planet – Investigating how marketing strategies can drive social and environmental sustainability.

BEMAS 2021 served as a critical forum for fostering collaboration and actionable insights to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures. The discussions and research shared at the conference continue to inspire efforts toward community-driven economic transformation.

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James Cook University and the Centre for International Business and Trade in Asia (CITBA) organised an Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) entitled “Urban Design, Economic Growth, and the Jobs of the Future in the Tropics”. The UTC model is an initiative of UN-Habitat conceived as an open space for critical exchange between urban researchers, professionals, and decision-makers who believe that urbanization is an opportunity and can lead to positive urban and economic transformations.

A large number of community groups from JCU, Redlynch State College, Tropical North Learning Smithfield State High School, Cairns Regional Council, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Cairns Airport, businesses such as GHD, Planz Town Planning, ABDT, non-profit organisations such as Social Enterprise Network for the Tropics (SENT), FNQ Citizen’s Climate Council, My Pathway, MiHaven, Community Owned Enterprise, ISLA, Architects, and other members of the public attended the Urban Thinkers Campus event organised by the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA). The event was part of the United Nation’s Habitat program and it took place over three days between 25-27 Novembers inclusive.

The event proved to be a catalyst to build consensus between participating constituencies for addressing urban and economic challenges in our city and proposing solutions to future challenges.

The event was the culmination of 9 months planning and preparation by a small army of people within CITBA, with special mention of and thanks to A/Prof Josephine Pryce, Dr Silvia Tavares, Ms Diana Castorina, Ms Trang Nguyen, Ms Jane Njaramba, Ms Dwi Sugiharti, Mr Andrew Dineen, Mr Emmanuel McCarthy, and Ms Suzie Pont for their generous contribution of time and expertise before, during, and after the event.

Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia would also like to especially highlight the hard work of Dr Taha Chaiechi, the Australian Director of the Centre, for her continues engagement with the local community in the past several months in promoting the UN initiative in order to amplify the urban thinkers’ movement here in the tropics.

Post-event reports and evaluations are in progress and more details will be released and shared with the colleagues in due course.

The particular focus of this event was on the critical connection between innovative urban design and sustainable economic growth in a way that enhances the quality of life in the tropical communities people live and work.  Building on the previous deliberations of the World Urban Campaign, this UTC was organised around the themes of “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and “The New Urban Agenda”, specifically principle 3 (The City We Need is economically vibrant and inclusive), principle 8 (The city we need is well-planned, walkable and transit-friendly) and principle 10 (The City We Need learns and innovates). The event will also directly contribute to the SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG17 (Partnerships).

Goals

The recommendations made by the participants, are being compiled and distilled into a structured report which will then be presented to collaborating organisations and other relevant government agencies with a shared interest. The final report will be  produced addressing prospective policy, planning and regulatory response. Moreover, ways of monitoring the actions through indicators will be discussed and defined, and key actors and their roles on the action plan will be identified. This UTC will be featured in the calendar of events on the World Urban Campaign website, as well as on the Urban Thinkers Campus page and will have its own dedicated page.

city lab logos

Contact: Dr Taha Chaiechi
email: taha.chaiechi@jcu.edu.au or citba@jcu.edu.au

Click here to view the program and be sure to register (using the button below) as seats are limited. The event is organised around three main issues:

  • Urban planning and economic growth in the local tropical context
  • Growing urban areas and employment opportunities
  • Urban access, transport networks, and local economies

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