6. During the Special Period a new level of government operating much closer to the local people than the municipalities was instituted, namely the Consejos Populares de Barrio. Community work was vigorously encouraged, including collaborative projects with foreign non- governmental organisations (NGOs). The Special Period propagated important issues, such as community development and social work, the role of the family in society, political and administrative decentralisation, economic and environmental awareness and other critical aspects for a sustainable approach, including many ecologically sound alternatives for society such as bicycling and organic agriculture and a broader conception about built heritage.