I was wondering if anyone could post some examples of successful progressive Eco-communities that integrate alternative energy and organic/permaculture farming. My goal is to build or live in a tropical sustainable Eco-community and I would like to begin taking notes and doing extensive research on all necessary components of the matter. Thanks in advance for the help.
yukkuri kame
Joined: May 23, 2010
Posts: 355
Location: Foothills north of L.A., zone 9ish mediterranean
Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities by Katie McCamant and Charles Durrett. The third edition has a range of projects that are explained in depth.
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Fred Winsol
Joined: May 22, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Sierras
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I would suggest the www.ic.org directory with lots of emails, inquiries. There's also excellent trailers/coverage on youtube of several eco-villages. After my contacts with Diana Christian and Chuck D, time in co-housing developments, time in european eco-villages... i think the europeans are WAY WAY ahead in the space of renewable energy, intelligent design/planning and biodynamic farming/garden... and their banks are a bit more enlightened too.
The upcoming movie 'A new we' should be a real eye-opener on what's possible.
Life is too important to take seriously.
kazron McCoy
Joined: Mar 25, 2011
Posts: 107
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I recently visited an intentional community in north-east Missouri that did not use electricity nor petroleum. I feel they are cutting edge. One of the founders made a good point in that eco-villages using solar and wind energy aren't cutting edge anymore, at least not to him (nor me, now that I see his point). That isn't new. It's old news.
If you hope to find or start an eco-village in the tropics and bring in solar, wind, water systems, I am sure it is possible. Good luck in your journey!
Fred Winsol
Joined: May 22, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Sierras
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kazron wrote: I recently visited an intentional community in north-east Missouri that did not use electricity nor petroleum. I feel they are cutting edge. One of the founders made a good point in that eco-villages using solar and wind energy aren't cutting edge anymore, at least not to him (nor me, now that I see his point). That isn't new. It's old news.
If you hope to find or start an eco-village in the tropics and bring in solar, wind, water systems, I am sure it is possible. Good luck in your journey!
Was that Dancing Rabbit by any chance? Solar and wind are so yesterday. We need to catch up and borrow the technology from Europe on biomass gasification (without emissions) and small-scale geothermal.
kazron McCoy
Joined: Mar 25, 2011
Posts: 107
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winsol3 wrote: Was that Dancing Rabbit by any chance? Solar and wind are so yesterday. We need to catch up and borrow the technology from Europe on biomass gasification (without emissions) and small-scale geothermal.
winsol3, it was a 4 year old community named, The Possibility Alliance.
hvala Hatfield
Joined: Aug 21, 2011
Posts: 79
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another book recommandation: jan martin bang - Ecovillages: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities
Loren Luyendyk
Joined: Aug 27, 2011
Posts: 11
Location: Santa Barbara. Ca
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H Ludi Tyler wrote: I recommend the book "Creating a Life Together" by Diana Leafe Christian. It's about how some communities succeed and some fail, and why.
People often want to develop communities based around ecological technologies, which is great. However, the MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT is the HUMAN ELEMENT. If we do not design our communities around people then nothing happens. THAT is cutting edge! After all, its not the technologies that make communities succeed or fail, but the people and how/if they work together.
I recommend studying with Robyn Francis at Djanbung Gardens in Australia for the community component, then skip over the hill to PRI to check out their alternative energy systems.
Permaculture Designer and Educator ISA Certified Arborist #WE 7805A www.globalpermaculture.com www.surferswithoutborders.org www.sborganics.com
Jonathan Overlin
Joined: Jul 31, 2011
Posts: 15
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Loren Luyendyk wrote: However, the MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT is the HUMAN ELEMENT. If we do not design our communities around people then nothing happens. THAT is cutting edge! After all, its not the technologies that make communities succeed or fail, but the people and how/if they work together.
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