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{{topic header| default.png |Ecovillages}} | {{topic header| default.png |Ecovillages}} | ||
'''Ecovillages''' are a kind of sustainable [[neighbourhood]], which are typically planned and managed cooperatively. They are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically [[sustainability|sustainable]] [[intentional communities]]<ref>[http://www.ic.org/ | '''Ecovillages''' are a kind of sustainable [[neighbourhood]], which are typically planned and managed cooperatively. They are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically [[sustainability|sustainable]] [[intentional communities]]<ref>[http://www.ic.org/wiki/ecovillage-2/ What Is Ecovillage? by Tony Sirna]</ref><ref>[http://www.ic.org/wiki/ecovillage-retrofit-los-angeles-healing-inner-city-neighborhood/ An Ecovillage Retrofit for Los Angeles: Healing an Inner-City Neighborhood by Lois Arkin]</ref> - though they include models that may be less intense and offer more privacy than some intentional communities. Compared to [[sustainable cities]], they are smaller and typically aim for a population of no more than 150 individuals, which is considered to be the maximum [[social network]] according to findings from [[sociology]] and [[anthropology]] (Hill & Dunbar, 2002). However, cooperative [https://ecovillage.org/ networks of ecovillages] do exist. | ||
Ecovillage members are united by shared [[ecological]], social or spiritual values (''see'' [[Intentional community]]). An ecovillage is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to centralized power, water, and sewage systems. Many see the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful [[consumerism|consumerist]] lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming, and over-reliance on fossil fuels, as trends that must be changed to avert ecological disaster. They see small-scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative | Ecovillage members are united by shared [[ecological]], social or spiritual values (''see'' [[Intentional community]]). An ecovillage is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to centralized power, water, and sewage systems. Many see the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful [[consumerism|consumerist]] lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming, and over-reliance on fossil fuels, as trends that must be changed to avert ecological disaster. They see small-scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
In 1991, [ | In 1991, [http://www.context.org/about/who-we-are/robert-gilman/ Robert Gilman] set out a definition of an ecovillage that was to become a standard. Gilman defined an ecovillage as a settlement: | ||
* which is [[human-scale]] | * which is [[human-scale]] | ||
* which is full-featured | * which is full-featured | ||
* in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world | * in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world | ||
* in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and | * in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and | ||
* which can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.[http://www.context.org/ | * which can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.<ref>[http://www.context.org/iclib/ic29/gilman1/ "The Eco-village Challenge" by Robert Gilman]</ref> | ||
Note: In recent years, Gilman has stated that he would also add the criterion that an ecovillage must have ''multiple centers of initiative''. | Note: In recent years, Gilman has stated that he would also add the criterion that an ecovillage must have ''multiple centers of initiative''. <ref>[http://www.ecovillagenewsletter.org/wiki/index.php/Robert_Gilman_on_%22Multiple_Centers_of_Initiative%22 Robert Gilman on "Multiple Centers of Initiative"]</ref> | ||
==Characteristics of ecovillages== | ==Characteristics of ecovillages== | ||
| Line 42: | Line 33: | ||
The term ''ecovillage'' should not be confused with [[micronation]], a strictly legal, not infrastructural, concept. | The term ''ecovillage'' should not be confused with [[micronation]], a strictly legal, not infrastructural, concept. | ||
==Eco-municipality== | |||
An [[eco-municipality]] is an area that has formally adopted something like [http://www.thenaturalstep.org/our-approach/ The Natural Step Framework] | |||
or the [https://www.planning.org/media/document/9117770/ APA's Sustainability Policy Framework], <ref>[http://www.instituteforecomunicipalities.org/Eco-municipalities.html Eco-municipalities]</ref> | |||
and could possibly be considered an ecovillage. | |||
[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652615015930 "A framework for strategic sustainable development"] provides more information. | |||
==List of ecovillages== | ==List of ecovillages== | ||
| Line 62: | Line 61: | ||
* [http://ranchodelicioso.com/ Rancho Delicioso] (Montezuma, Costa Rica) | * [http://ranchodelicioso.com/ Rancho Delicioso] (Montezuma, Costa Rica) | ||
==Books== | |||
*[[Diana Leafe Christian|Christian, D.]] 2003. ''[https://ecovillage.org/resources/market/creating-a-life-together/ Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities]'' New Society Publishers. ISBN 0-86571-471-1 | |||
*Hill, R. and Dunbar, R. 2002. "[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281203308_Social_Network_Size_in_Humans Social Network Size in Humans.]" Human Nature, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 53-72. | |||
*[[Diana Leafe Christian|Christian, D.]] 2003. ''[ | |||
*Hill, R. and Dunbar, R. 2002. "Social Network Size in Humans." Human Nature, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 53-72. | |||
*Jackson, H. and Svensson, K. 2002. ''Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and Her People''. Green Books. ISBN 1-903998-16-6 | *Jackson, H. and Svensson, K. 2002. ''Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and Her People''. Green Books. ISBN 1-903998-16-6 | ||
| Line 73: | Line 69: | ||
* [http://wiki.ic.org/ Intentional Communities wiki] | * [http://wiki.ic.org/ Intentional Communities wiki] | ||
* [ | * [https://www.ekopedia.fr/wiki/Écovillage Ecovillages on Ekopedia] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Ecovillages]] | * [[Wikipedia:Ecovillages]] | ||
* [http://ecovillage.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Ecovillage Wiki] - intended to facilitate ecovillages to develop regional and global networks. (Still active at mid-2011, but a low level of activity.) | * [http://ecovillage.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Ecovillage Wiki] - intended to facilitate ecovillages to develop regional and global networks. (Still active at mid-2011, but a low level of activity.) | ||
| Line 79: | Line 75: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [ | * [https://ecovillage.org/ Global Ecovillage Network] | ||
* [http://gen-europe. | * [http://gen-europe.org/home/index.htm GEN-Europe] | ||
* [http://www.ic.org Intentional Communities website] | * [http://www.ic.org Intentional Communities website] | ||
* [http:// | * [http://www.ic.org/directory/ecovillages/ Ecovillage Directory] - List of Ecovillages in the [http://directory.ic.org Intentional Communities Directory] | ||
* [http:// | * [http://livinginthefuture.org/shop.php DVDs about Ecovillages worldwide] | ||
* [http://www.context.org/iclib/ic29/ Living Together: Sustainable Community Development] | |||
* [http://www.context.org/ | |||
* [http://www.habiter-autrement.org/05.eco-village/03_eco.htm The Ecovillage Model] | * [http://www.habiter-autrement.org/05.eco-village/03_eco.htm The Ecovillage Model] | ||
* [ | * [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/voicesofcohousing Voices of Cohousing: Rebuilding villages in the city] - Documentary on mainstream urban ecovillages (cohousing) | ||
* [http://rihmasto.fi/ Network in Suomi] | |||
* [http://www.context.org/iclib/ic29/cluster/ A Cluster Of Eco-villages] | |||
* [http://www.ic.org/community-bookstore/product/eurotopia-2/ Eurotopia: Living in Community - A Directory of European Intentional Communities] | |||
*[http://rihmasto.fi/ Network in Suomi] | |||
*[http://www. | |||
*[http://www. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
<!--Note: Please do not list ecovillages here. There is a list (below) for that purpose.--> | <!--Note: Please do not list ecovillages here. There is a list (below) for that purpose.--> | ||
*[[ | *[[Sustainable cities]] | ||
*[[Intentional communities]] | |||
*[[Intentional | |||
*[[Bioneers]] | *[[Bioneers]] | ||
*[[Cohousing]] | *[[Cohousing]] | ||
*[[Eco-municipality]] | |||
*[[Eco | |||
*[[Types of communities]] | *[[Types of communities]] | ||
*[[Sustainable cities]] | *[[Sustainable cities]] | ||
*[[Sustainable development]] | |||
*[[Sustainable design]] | |||
*[[Green living]] | |||
*[[Green communities]] | |||
*[[Appropriate technology villages]] | |||
*[[Sustainable city living]] | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Intentional communities]] | [[Category:Intentional communities]] | ||
Revision as of 06:44, 21 August 2017
Ecovillages are a kind of sustainable neighbourhood, which are typically planned and managed cooperatively. They are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable intentional communities[1][2] - though they include models that may be less intense and offer more privacy than some intentional communities. Compared to sustainable cities, they are smaller and typically aim for a population of no more than 150 individuals, which is considered to be the maximum social network according to findings from sociology and anthropology (Hill & Dunbar, 2002). However, cooperative networks of ecovillages do exist.
Ecovillage members are united by shared ecological, social or spiritual values (see Intentional community). An ecovillage is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to centralized power, water, and sewage systems. Many see the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful consumerist lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming, and over-reliance on fossil fuels, as trends that must be changed to avert ecological disaster. They see small-scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative.
Definition
In 1991, Robert Gilman set out a definition of an ecovillage that was to become a standard. Gilman defined an ecovillage as a settlement:
- which is human-scale
- which is full-featured
- in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world
- in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and
- which can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.[3]
Note: In recent years, Gilman has stated that he would also add the criterion that an ecovillage must have multiple centers of initiative. [4]
Characteristics of ecovillages
The principles on which ecovillages rely can be applied to urban and rural settings, as well as to developing and developed countries. Advocates seek infrastructural independence and a sustainable lifestyle (for example, of voluntary simplicity) for inhabitants with a minimum of trade outside the local area, or ecoregion. Rural ecovillages are usually based on organic farming, permaculture and other approaches which promote ecosystem function and biodiversity. Some ecovillages integrate many of the design principles of cohousing, but with a greater ecological focus and a more "organic" process, typical of permaculture design.
An ecovillage usually relies on:
- "Green" infrastructural capital;
- autonomous building or clustered housing, to minimize ecological footprint;
- renewable energy;
- permaculture;
- cohousing or other forms of supportive community.
The goal of most ecovillages is to be a sustainable habitat providing for most of its needs on site. Its organization also usually depends upon some instructional capital or moral codes - a minimal civics sometimes characterized as eco-anarchism:
- local purchasing so as to support the local economy;
- local food production and distribution;
- moral purchasing to avoid objectionable consumption;
- consensus decision-making for governance;
- a choice to respect diversity.
The term ecovillage should not be confused with micronation, a strictly legal, not infrastructural, concept.
Eco-municipality
An eco-municipality is an area that has formally adopted something like The Natural Step Framework or the APA's Sustainability Policy Framework, [5] and could possibly be considered an ecovillage.
"A framework for strategic sustainable development" provides more information.
List of ecovillages
Ecovillages in Europe
Findhorn Eco Village Scotland http://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com/
Suderbyn Ekoby (Sweden): http://www.suderbyn.se
Ecovillages in North America
- Bosque Village (Michoacan, Mexico) : Facebook : YouTube
- Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage (Rutledge, Missouri)
- Earthaven Ecovillage (Black Mountain, North Carolina)
- EcoReality (British Columbia, Canada)
- EcoVillage Ithaca (Ithaca, New York)
- Los Angeles Eco-Village (Los Angeles, California)
- The Farm (Summertown, Tennessee)
- A-Welcome-To-All: We Invite You Ecovillage (Olympia, Washington)
- PAZ Ecovillage (Terlingua, Texas)
- Rancho Delicioso (Montezuma, Costa Rica)
Books
- Christian, D. 2003. Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities New Society Publishers. ISBN 0-86571-471-1
- Hill, R. and Dunbar, R. 2002. "Social Network Size in Humans." Human Nature, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 53-72.
- Jackson, H. and Svensson, K. 2002. Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and Her People. Green Books. ISBN 1-903998-16-6
Interwiki links
- Intentional Communities wiki
- Ecovillages on Ekopedia
- Wikipedia:Ecovillages
- Ecovillage Wiki - intended to facilitate ecovillages to develop regional and global networks. (Still active at mid-2011, but a low level of activity.)
External links
- Global Ecovillage Network
- GEN-Europe
- Intentional Communities website
- Ecovillage Directory - List of Ecovillages in the Intentional Communities Directory
- DVDs about Ecovillages worldwide
- Living Together: Sustainable Community Development
- The Ecovillage Model
- Voices of Cohousing: Rebuilding villages in the city - Documentary on mainstream urban ecovillages (cohousing)
- Network in Suomi
- A Cluster Of Eco-villages
- Eurotopia: Living in Community - A Directory of European Intentional Communities
See also
- Sustainable cities
- Intentional communities
- Bioneers
- Cohousing
- Eco-municipality
- Types of communities
- Sustainable cities
- Sustainable development
- Sustainable design
- Green living
- Green communities
- Appropriate technology villages
- Sustainable city living