As communities navigate changing economic, social and environmental conditions, a new edition of a widely used community development text co-edited by St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Rhonda Phillips offers updated perspectives on strengthening communities, improving quality of life and planning for sustainable futures.
The third edition of “An Introduction to Community Development,” by Phillips and Robert H. Pittman and published by Routledge, brings together research and practical approaches to community and economic development. Drawing on the editors' extensive experience as scholars and practitioners, the volume is designed for students, educators, community leaders, planners and development professionals.
The updated edition expands its examination of contemporary community development, with increased attention to connectedness and placemaking, quality of life, community well-being, sustainability, marketing and community enterprise. These topics reflect the evolving challenges and opportunities facing communities and the growing importance of approaches that connect economic development with residents' overall well-being.
“Communities today face increasingly complex challenges, and successful community development requires us to think beyond traditional measures of economic growth,” said Phillips. “We must also consider quality of life, a sense of belonging and the opportunities people have to shape their own futures. This third edition reflects how the field has evolved and brings together ideas and approaches that can help students and practitioners build stronger, more resilient communities.”
Phillips and Pittman have collaborated on all three editions of the text, drawing on their experience in teaching, research and professional practice.
“It has been a pleasure over the past several years co-editing three editions of this book with Rhonda,” said Pittman. “We have worked as both practitioners and academicians in the fields of community development and economic development, and we care deeply about how these disciplines can contribute to the success of communities and the quality of life of their residents. A guiding principle of our work has been to further bridge the gap between application and theory, and to show how community development and economic development are inextricably linked. I believe these are the major contributions of our books, and students, teachers and practitioners all seem to have appreciated this.”
The third edition also reflects developments in community development practice over the past decade, bringing emerging ideas and approaches into a resource used in academic and professional settings.
“It has been an honor to work on the third edition of ‘An Introduction to Community Development,’” said Kate Schell, senior editor, landscape and planning, at Routledge. “It is one of the most successful titles in our portfolio, and it's exciting to see the changes from practice over the last decade moving onto the page and into the classroom. I'm confident it will be an impactful resource for the next generation of students.”
Phillips is a widely published scholar whose research focuses on community and economic development, community well-being, quality of life and related areas. Her scholarship and professional experience inform her leadership as the eighth president of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College.
The College will recognize Phillips' contribution to the book during its Faculty Laurels reception on Nov. 3, an event celebrating faculty scholarship and creative achievement across disciplines.
“An Introduction to Community Development” is available in paperback, hardback and e-book formats through Routledge. Faculty considering the book for course adoption may request an inspection copy.
