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The Scottish Sustainable Communities Intitiative (SSCI) is one of the ways in which the Scottish Government is influencing and shaping future development which should be not only environmentally, but also economically and socially sustainable. The SSCI encourages the creation of a number of very low or zero carbon communities and provides a platform to stimulate a rise in environmental and design quality standards within new developments and to showcase the architectural and design skills that exist in Scotland. The aim is to create places that will be inherently sustainable as a result of their enduring appeal.

SSCI projects will provide high quality, affordable homes for all sectors of the community, they may include opportunities for the creation of jobs, provision of education and other services necessary to enable high standards of living, cultural identity and create an environment which encourages healthy and active living. These new communities should fit well in the local landscape, maximise the opportunities of the location and should be fully integrated with public and active transport networks, rather than being dependent on the car. They will be successful places which have meaning for the people who will call them home.

The Initiative is primarily focussed on the results that can be achieved. The delivery of some projects may take a number of years, however, a clear picture of the intended outcomes at the inception stage of a project will help to clarify how they can be realised.

A SSCI development should:

• contribute to meeting identified housing requirements in the area;
• demonstrate a level of innovation and quality of design which will lead to the creation of successful places and serve as an inspiration to future development in Scotland;
• make a significant contribution to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide both in construction and throughout the community's life;
• minimise pollution;
• create opportunities to live healthier, more active and environmentally responsible lives and so influence behaviour and attitudes;
• demonstrate that the delivery of high quality sustainable forms of new development is achievable within reasonable timescales;
• incorporate provision for evaluation of the success and benefits of the approach and outcomes, so that future developments can benefit by learning from innovation.

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