Ecovillage Definition

1. Ecovillage Definition • self-identified communities committed to living in an ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually sustainable way • roots in the intentional communities,’ movement, individuals, organizations, businesses, existing settlements and intentional communities/co-housing groups can all contribute to the ecovillage vision (Source: Ecovillage Network of Canada)

2. 5 essential elements of an ecovillage • Community • Ecology • Economy • Energy • Spirituality

3. Community • Group united with the same goal living together on the land according to agreed to sustainability principles • Community spirit is at the heart • Essential values of mutual help, cooperation, solidarity and having regard for each other are foundational • Allow residents to feel secure and confident to develop dynamic relationships and to express themselves • Value diversity • Health is viewed as prevention and not just healing disease

4. Ecology • Permaculture design • Inventory of all natural resources, plans, wildlife habitats etc • Develop a plan for the built environment that has the least impact • Ecological building • Other considerations • Specific ecological values of the community

5. Economy • Financial balance (financial viability/sustainability) • Economy based upon the skills and capacity of the residents • Work from home • Stem poverty • Wealth sharing • Equalized pay for all jobs • Skill development • Barter and knowledge sharing

6. Energy • Self-sufficiency is important • Generation of renewable energies • Selling the extra production to the grid • More conscious consumption of goods (energy efficient housing thereby reducing requirements, locally grown food products)

7. Spirituality • Defined by each individual community • Some indicators • cultural vitality is maintained by artistic and cultural celebrations and activities; • creativity and arts are perceived as expression of unity and interrelation with universe; • leisure time is valorized; • there is support for spiritual manifestation in many forms; • opportunities are available for self development; • joy and belonging are realized through rituals and celebrations; • community life has a unity and integrity expressed through common vision

8. Damanhur • an eco-society based on ethical and spiritual values, awarded by an agency of the United Nations as a model for a sustainable future on 500 hectres. • founded in 1975 (12 people), the Federation has about 1,000 citizens and extends over 500 hectares of territory throughout Valchiusella and the Alto Canavese area, at the foothills of the Piedmont Alps (Italy). • http://www.damanhur.org/

9. Damanhur • a federation of communities and eco-villages with their own social and political structure in continual evolution • 50% self sufficient in food production • 50% energy efficient (photo-voltaics) • 70% of residents work in cooperatives (over 60 businesses and services) • school – kindergarten to junior high

10. The Temples of Humankind (the eighth wonder of the world)

11. La Cité Écologique • an ecovillage based upon an alternate school based community- respect for nature on 800 acres • founded in 1984 by a 20 families interested in creating a place based education for children, parents, teacher, grandparents, community members located region of Les Bois Francs near Victoriaville, Quebec, today it has 120 members including children • http://www.cite-ecologique.com/english.html

12. La Cité Écologique • the concept was to create ecological businesses where parents would work and children would learn through activities and apprenticeships • the residents work in different spheres of activities that are related together, such as: • organic agriculture, • organic frozen food, • health center, • ecotourism, • agritourism, • ethic and organic clothing, • forestry, • art promoting peace and solidarity, • presentation of shows with committed artists

13. La Cité Écologique • La Cité Écologique’s land is zoned for agriculture rather than as residential, the families couldn’t build individual houses. • they built two large apartment buildings, and some families moved into houses already present on the site. • Large community facility (barn like structure)

14. Co-op housing, Co-housing and Ecovillages • Co-op housing is a form of tenure and can form the basis of community • Co-housing is the intentional effort of neighbors to design their homes to share common space and common meals (tenure- cooperatives, condominiums, rental units or a mix of different tenures N Street Co-housing in Davis, Ca) • Ecovillages tackle the environmental problems facing the neighborhood, the need for jobs and sustainable livelihood, and explicitly reach out to their neighbors to work and learn together (Source: Urban Ecovillage Network)

15. Issues and challenges • Internal • Clarity of purpose • Skills and resources • Financial capacity • External • Land use & zoning • Number of units on a single site without subdivision • Sewage treatment • Potable water

16. Location • Most eco-villages have tended to locate in rural or non-urban areas • Exact location function of goal and objectives of the community – • Ecovillages have to be economically viable, not suburban communities dependent upon an urban centre for economic wellbeing • Trend to look at urban ecovillages • It has been projected that by the year 2025, 80% of the world's population will be living in cities • The US recession in some cities – new ideas – Urban Agriculture -Detroit

17. Ecovillages-Way of the Future • Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage (ERUEV) • a community of people fostering a sustainable urban neighborhood that promotes social and economic well-being while contributing to the preservation of our planet. • Located in Price Hill, near downtown Cincinnati, Ohio; • building a new way of life on the foundations of this historic area (affordable homes, the acres of forest that surround the ridge and a traditionally strong sense of community) to create a healthier, more sustainable neighborhood • 90 lots • http://directory.ic.org/records/ecovillages.php