Master's thesis

Bunarty Village, Sudan

Striving together with a common vision for a sustainable living

EcoVillages and Intentional Communities: In search of sustainable alternative solutions

A thesis Submitted by Rashid M Nori In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Science (M.S) In Green Building

SAN FRANCISCO INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE April, 2013

Š 2013, Rashid Nori Advisor: Fred Stitt

Acknowledgement To my villagers; thank you for enduring this way of life for decades, as it may turn out to be an aspiration model for living sustainably in close contact with nature. To my wife, thank you for being a great source of motivation and inspiration. Finally, thanks to those who are on the front line raising awareness of the impacts of human development on the environment as well as promoting healthy and non-destructive living.

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Abstract As the green movement continues to gain momentum, towns, cities and regions around the world are responding to global causes and searching for alternatives to what our society offers us today. In recent years, Ecovillages and other kinds of intentional communities have emerged to mainstream society, promoting alternative housing and offering healthy and non-destructive living.

Although they are many definitions of Intentional Communities, and ways for such communities to reach a more sustainable future, they all share the common goals of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable.

The intent of this thesis is to focus on Intentional Communities with a strong emphasis on Ecovillage principles and the practical means by which they strive to establish and enforce an alternative model to our unsustainable practices. In addition, I will discuss the social content and physical design differences between Ecovillages and Cohousing models. As a participant and cofounder of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) of Sudan - Africa, and a participant in its first introductory meeting and launching, I will offer an insight of the organization by examining its mission, vision and purposes. My thesis will also examine the ambitious project of transitioning traditional African villages to Ecovillages using the pilot projects of the Senegalese Ecovillage programme. Finally, I will provide examples of some of the most successful Ecovillages and community projects around the world.

Key Words: Intentional Communities, Ecovillages, Cohousing, Traditional African Villages, Global EcoVillage Network (GEN)

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Table of contents Acknowledgment.............................................................................................................................. i Abstract............................................................................................................................................. ii Table of contents...............................................................................................................................iii Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1........................................................................................................................................

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1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 What is an Ecovillage? .................................................................................................. . 3 1.3 Ecovillages characteristics. ............................................................................................ .3 1.4 Ecovillages essential elements. ...................................................................................... 4 1.5 Ecovillages challenges. ................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Ecovillages and Cohousing; their similarities and differences. ................................... ...6 Chapter 2........................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 The Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) Mission, Vision and Purposes..............

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2.3 Traditional villages. Recreating village’s life in the modern context. ............................8 2.4 The pilot projects of the Senegalese Ecovillage. ........................................................... .9 2.5 Examples of Ecovillages and Intentional Communities projects around the world .......10 2.6 The Findhorn Ecovillages. An overview. ............................................................... .

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2.7 The Farm Intentional Community. An overview. ........................................................ ..11 2.8 The Village Homes. An overview................................................................................... 12 2.9 The EcoVillage at Ithaca. An overview.....................................................................

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Introduction Since childhood, I have held a deep fascination with the natural world and a profound interest in the preservation and enhancement of our ecological system. With a passion for architecture, I desire to attain masterful skills and higher understanding in the pursuit of creating more environmentally friendly towns and cities. As an integral member of a society it is our duty as civilization builders to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants.

The Master degree program in Green Building was an ideal next step to line up my career path with my goals. I realized that, this field of study would play an important part in providing me with the tools and information needed for my desired future work.

My thesis topic was influenced by two factors. First, growing up in a small traditional village in the northeast quadrant of Africa, I was exposed, at an early age, to a life driven by reflections of personal and familial survival that is far cry from my current living standards. The villages lacked basic utilities, such as electricity, gas, and domestic water. In addition, sanitary systems and storm water management had not been developed. As a child I understood that this was a way of life the villagers would endure for decades to come. As a result, I realized that at my core was a firm commitment to promote sustainable practices that would makes a lasting, and positive impact on the community. Secondly; traditional villagers have much to teach us across cultural boundaries, from their deeply rooted understanding of community to their masterful skill of growing their own produce and building their homes with stones and mud which are natural, bio-regional and ecologically sound materials. Despite the traditional villagers lacking the most basic services that exist in the modern day society of the western world, they have a better perceptive of what it takes to assess the needs of the villages and evaluate solutions to planning issues ranging from economic hardships to agricultural instability.

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Chapter 1 Main Point: 1.1. Introduction 1.2. What is an Ecovillages?

1.3. Ecovillages characteristics.

1.4. Ecovillages essential elements.

1.5. Ecovillages challenges.

1.6. Ecovillages and Cohousing; their similarities and differences.

Introduction: Drawing on information from various different sources, I determine that the term of Intentional Community is an umbrella term for Ecovillages, cohousing, communities committed to living in an ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually sustainable way. Although all Intentional Communities aren’t all alike, there is a common thread that ties them together in holistic approach towards a development that underlines resiliency and long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.

As a result of the expansion of the African urban populations, resulting in the excessive consumption of non-renewable resources, environmental degradation, and many other issues, Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities were initiated in the1960’s. These introduced a new kind of models for sustainable living that is slowly spreading into conventional society. This new lifestyle movement calls attention to these problems and offers a new ways of moving towards a sustainable future. Ecovillages are one those models, that explores sustainable life styles in environmental, social, economic and spiritual terms.

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Though relatively unexplored, in recent years Intentional Communities have emerged as a practical alternative model to urban life. This is in large part due to their balanced approach of integrating human and natural environment. These social units (which encompass a wide variety of groups ranging from communes to co-housing and eco-villages) are each unique with distinctive characteristics that define their objectives, values and community members.

What is an EcoVillage?

The term of Ecovillages came into use, when Robert Gilman, in his book, Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities (1991) [1] was the first to try to define them as “a human-scale, full featured settlement which harmlessly integrates human activities into the natural world in a way that is supportive of healthy human development and can be successfully continued into the indefinite future�.

• Characteristics What makes an ecovillage? There exist some general characteristics of Ecovillages around the worlds which contribute to a cultural transformation of societies. Firstly they strive to integrate various aspects of ecological design and share ecological goals that emphasize a common vision for living in an ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually sustainable way. It important to and emphasize that Ecovillages are creatively connecting to other groups and organizations around the world by networking with Peace and human rights activists for conflict resolution in the global South (Africa, Latin America, and Asia), with social and ecological entrepreneurs, and with Permaculture activists, government officials, spiritual leaders, and more. Secondly, Ecovillagers seek to live according to ecological principles and rejects the dominant western worldview that is seen to consume the strength of local economies. Thirdly, the most fundamental and common characteristic that brings together these diverse Ecovillages and thus gives them an edge over other communities is their embrace of a holistic worldview approach. This approach consists of common global concerns for the future of our society and the global environment.

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• Essential Elements The Essential element of Ecovillages entails a community of people that thrive to restore nature and expand human potential by creating a lifestyle that nurtures the human spirit and offers hope for future generations. The Ecovillage Network of Canada (ENC) recognizes five essential elements, which offers a holistic approach: Communal, Ecological, Social, Economic and Spiritual design.[2] Communal: Ecovillages reinforces the vibrant sense of community that brings peoples together. In addition, the community strives to implement essential values of mutual help, and cooperation enabling the inhabitants to feel secure and confident in developing dynamic relationships.

Ecological: It is generally agreed that Ecovillages grow out of a need caused by an ecological constrains.

As a result it is important that Ecovillages are required to explore ecologically friendly ways to restore natural habitats, wildlife and the flora. Equally important is the use of renewable natural resources, and methods to improve waste reduction and elimination.

Economic: A fundamental goals and sustainable principals of Ecovillages is the economic activities that is realized based on the skills and capacity of the inhabitants. Ecovillagers strive to adopt a more simple way of living, based on a lower consumption levels and exploration of natural resources Spiritual: Ecovillages spiritual aspects entail a strong sense of shared values that contribute to the quality of life of a community. They consist of cultural celebrations activities, such as regular exercises, rituals, and meditation and other forms of shared believes.

• Challenges Ecovillages faces numerous challenges in their formation and maintenances. There challenges include, finding residents, developing a viable economy, and achieving ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. In his 1990 article in Context magazine, Robert Gilman recognizes the various challenges that face Ecovillages in their efforts to achieve their vision. The article described the nature of the challenges facing 4

Ecovillages in the six categories discussed below. For the purpose of this thesis, a few of the challenges faced are illustrated for each category. [3] •

The Bio-System Challenge: This involves integrating Ecovillages into the natural world in a way that a) preserve natural habitats on the village land, including produce food, wood, and other bioresources; b) enables utilization of organic waste produced on site; c) renders harmless any initially toxic waste from the village; and d) recycles all solid waste from the village.

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The Built-Environment Challenge: The Built-Environment Challenge requires Ecovillages to use renewable energy sources; build with ecologically friendly materials; handle solid, liquid, and gaseous waste from buildings in an ecologically friendly manner; have a minimal need for motorized transport; and build in ways that have a minimal impact on the land and the local ecology.

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The Economic System Challenge: This challenge requires significant economic activity in the EcoVillage. To meet the challenge the economic activities of the members may not depend on the exploitation of other people and places, or on exploitation of the future by the current activities.

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The Governance Challenge: Similar to the economic challenges, an EcoVillage will likely face questions with regards to its governance. Such questions might include the following; how will decisions be made? Which methods will be used for what types of decisions? And how will conflicts be resolved?

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The Glue Challenge: The Glue Challenge is related to identifying and agreeing on the strategic requirements for community maintenance. Developing and maintaining the community ‘glue’ is yet another level of challenge, which will raise questions such as to: What is the appropriate interplay of unity and diversity? And what common values, behaviors, or practices will be expected in the community?

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The Whole System Challenge: This is considered one of the main challenges for the EcoVillage movement, as it requires a balance of activities among three major phases for each of the six challenge areas. The three identified phases are 1) research and design, 2) creation and implementation, and 3) maintenance.

• Ecovillages and Cohousing Ecovillages and Cohousing are two of several concepts used to define alternative models to urban living. These well known Intentional models provide for different levels of complexity and diversity that warrant further examination. Following is a brief description of each model and discussion on their similarities and differences. The modern theory of Cohousing originated in Denmark in 1960 among groups of families who were dissatisfied with existing housing and communities that they felt did not meet their needs [4]. This group developed the cohousing project Saettedammen is the oldest known modern cohousing community in the world. Cohousing is distinguished by 5 characteristics; Participatory processes, Neighborhood design, Common facilities, Resident management, Nonhierarchical structure and decision-making, and No shared community economy[5]. The principals of Ecovillages, as defined earlier are “human-scaled, full featured, harmlessly integrated with nature, supportive of healthy human development and sustainable”.[1] They strive to establish a sustainable, non-consuming infrastructure, including agriculture, commercial activity, and the appropriate use of power and water towards a total and comprehensive move toward environmentalism. Central to the EcoVillage concept is the “cohousing” design that involves clustering homes around shared community space, which maximizes pedestrian ways for automobile traffic. From these facts, one may conclude that Cohousing neighborhoods often comprise a cluster of single-family homes, whereas Ecovillages are based on the desire to create ecologically and socially sustainable communities. Ecovillages are predominantly rural, while cohousing is mostly urban.[6]

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Chapter 2 Main Point: 1.1. Introduction 1.2. The Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) Mission, Vision and Purposes.

1.3. Traditional villages. Recreating village’s life in the modern context.

1.4. The pilot projects of the Senegalese Ecovillage. Bridging Traditional villages and Ecovillages.

1.5. Examples of Ecovillages projects around the world.

1.6. Conclusion.

The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) Created in 1995 during the fall conference at Findhorn Intentional Community (Scotland), The Global EcoVillage Network (GEN) is a growing network of sustainable communities and initiatives that bridges several cultures, countries, and continents. GEN serves as an umbrella organization for Ecovillages, Transition Town Initiatives, other Intentional Communities, and ecologically minded individuals worldwide. GEN's main aim is to support and encourage the evolution of sustainable settlements across the world through; facilitating the flow and exchange of knowledge about Ecovillages and demonstration sites by advancing the education of individuals from all walks of life. GEN also promotes the sharing of experiences and best practices gained from the networks of sustainable communities worldwide. [7]

Traditional Villages: Recreating sustainable life in the modern context Traditional and Native villages across the globe have lived sustainably for decades with limited environmental impact, and a unifying pattern of a social, ecological and economic presence. Although some Traditional Villages still lack basic utilities (such as electricity, gas and domestic water), they have managed to sustain their livelihoods and cultural life for generations.

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In my view, Traditional Villages have contributed significantly to the evolution of the EcoVillage movement because of their deeply rooted understanding of community and, their resiliency in the face of adversity. However, Traditional Villagers in Africa and other developing countries have begun to realize that their daily lifestyle is gradually falling apart, as a result of cultural changes that encourage people to seek a more urban lifestyle. In addition, the absence of sanitary systems and water sources polluted by house wastes and garbage has had a great impact on the form of the traditional village.

This leaves us to believe that, the transformation stages of Traditional Villages to Ecovillages in developing countries are different from those in the modern industrialized countries. This may be due in part to the fact that developing countries lack adequate public utilities infrastructure services. In contrast, Ecovillages in developed countries are distinctly post-industrial and grew out of the needs and opportunities caused by the recreation of traditional village life in the modern context with great emphasis on the traditional town planning, and the basic traditional cultural values. From these facts, one may conclude that activities in the rural communities in Africa are different from the activities of the communities in Europe and America, as many believes that learning from the best elements regarding resource use in traditional and indigenous culture is central to the EcoVillage movement. We personally believe that traditional knowledge that provides historical information regarding resource use and helps us identify the relationship between humans and their resources is a key factor in making communities engaging in conservation activities.

The Pilot Projects of the Senegalese EcoVillage “Senegal is the first country to utilize EcoVillage strategies for sustainable development with a Government Agency for Ecovillages, dedicated to transitioning 14.000 traditional villages to Ecovillages!

The government was inspired by the work done within the grassroots network of GEN-Senegal, a network of 45 Ecovillages�. [7] 8

This innovative project, the first attempt to transition Traditional Villages to Ecovillages was spearheaded

by Jane Rasbash of the Gaia Education Board, Kosha Joubert, President of GEN-International and Advisory Board GEN-Africa, and Ousmane Pame, President of GEN-Africa. This was an ambitious goal to transform the country's 14,000 villages into sustainable models that combine modern technologies with a balance of traditional cultural, social and ecological values. The pilot projects consist of five large Ecovillages in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal (including three in the Southern region of Casamance). [7] At the heart of these initiatives, is an important recognition of the GEN strategies, which involve the transition of networks of traditional villages, into Ecovillages. The pilot is designed to test innovative methods of natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and renewable energy development; help create the infrastructure for sustainable resources; and contribute to developing sustainable economic models.

The design of the Senegalese EcoVillage programme at Mbakombel will incorporate a range of sustainable features which include technicalities of solar panel systems; low impact cooking technology (including clay stoves that use 50% less fuel, biogas from animal manure and solar ovens); reforestation programs, and climate smart farming in community gardens.

Examples of Ecovillages and Intentional Community Projects Around the World There are numerous Ecovillages and intentional communities around the world with specific goals, shared values and vision of what sustainability means to the people who live there.

Because the Global EcoVillage Network links hundreds of EcoVillage projects with aspiring Ecovillages, I will use GEN’s database to identity some of the most successful projects around the world.

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• The Findhorn EcoVillage, Moray, Scotland “Within the EcoVillage, sustainable values are expressed in the built environment with ecological houses, innovative use of building materials such as local stone and straw bales, beauty in the architecture and gardens, and applied technology in the Living Machine sewage treatment facility and electricity-generating wind turbines. Sustainable values are also expressed in the community’s social, economic and educational initiatives.”[8] Founded in Scotland in 1985, the Findhorn EcoVillage project received an award for best practices from the UN Centre for Human Settlements. It is considered one of best examples of direct planning of intentional villages that increase public awareness of the human causes of climate change. A recent study concluded that the residents have the lowest ecological footprint of any community measured so far in the industrialized world. New buildings are required to comply with the site’s comprehensive building code that includes the use of products made from recycled paper, the use of toxic glues or resins and roofing with natural clay tiles.

Notable design features employed by the project include: passive solar radiation (to reduce building heating needs), harvested wood (that provides space heating for both new and older homes), a ‘Living Machine’ wastewater treatment plant, green electricity generation and other energy efficiency considerations.

• The Farm, Tennessee, USA “As part of the Spiral Ridge Permaculture Edible Forest Design Workshop in October, 2012, The Farm School installed a mandala of climate change-resistant edible and medicinal perennial plant and tree crops to educate and enliven the School family and visitors. The design and installation took more than three weeks and was filmed by CNN and others. By using Biochar in combination with compost tea, and calculating the composition of tree plantings, the activity more than offset the carbon footprint of the workshop and associated travel by all the participants”.[9] 10

Located in Lewis County, Tennessee, The Farm is one of the only 1970s style intentionally formed communities still in existence today. The community was recognized for their firm principles of respect for all religions and practices, nonviolence, and value of the earth. The community is an ideal setting for families seeking a lifestyle that combines environmental, political and spiritual awareness. It consists of an EcoVillage with 175 residents, and includes education center.

The Farm’s architecture evolved during its development.[10] The history of the early building designs were dominated by lack of construction skill and experience, lack of finances and financial skill, growing awareness of solar and renewable energy systems, high population density, low architect-to-builder ratio, and many other aspects. The second phase of buildings was more carefully thought out, better constructed, and were more harmonious with the natural forest environment.

In 1978, The Farm began construction of its solar school, which is considered the largest passive solar building in Tennessee. The 6,000 square foot, 10-room school is made of recycled concrete block and brick with a sawtooth-shaped roof. In addition, direct solar gain heats the facing wall, which is surfaced with an elm-green chalkboard, providing heat collection in the winter. The Farm’s inhabitants also constructed a 200 cubic foot walk-in solar dehydrator for drying fruits and herbs. The dehydrator has now operated for ten years with little or no maintenance.[11]

• Village Homes Davis, CA, USA “The inspiration for Village Homes began in the early 1970s with Mike and Judy Corbetts' awakening awareness of alternatives to conventional housing concepts in suburbia. Mike had studied architecture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and then designed and built several houses, which were very attractive but not particularly sensitive to energy conservation or environmental issues”. [12]

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Located in the western part of Davis, California, this seventy-acre subdivision was designed and developed by Michael and Judy Corbett in the 1970s, to encourage both the development of a sense of community and the conservation of energy and natural resources. The project, which consists of 242 single- and multi-family residence, was confronted by fierce opposition from the planning staff, the public works department, and the Federal Housing Authority due to the fear that inclusion of agricultural uses would reduce the property values. In addition, the police had concerns about patrolling the narrower streets, and fire officials worried about maneuvering their fire trucks. Michael Corbett was able overcome multiple obstacles by going to great lengths to make his case, writing point-by point rebuttals with practical physical demonstrations and field trips, and reports that recommended against approval of various features of the proposed development.

The project consists of houses planned as energy-conserving buildings around common open spaces with play areas and shared gardens; a community open space, including orchards, vineyards, and play areas, narrow streets; pedestrian and bike paths; solar homes; and an innovative ecological drainage system.

Village Homes have employed numerous innovative features that help the residents live in an energyefficient and aesthetically pleasing manner. These include; the orientation of the project to help the houses with passive solar designs make full use of the sun's energy, and Providing for street widths, which help minimize the amount of pavement exposed to sun in the long, hot summers.

• EcoVillage at Ithaca, USA “With increased attention on global warming and sustainable lifestyles, Ithaca’s EcoVillage offers people the opportunity to become part of a growing community of concerned individuals. “We’re trying to create demonstration projects that hopefully other people can be inspired by,” explained Walker. So far, they seem to have accomplished this with two-thirds of residents coming from out of state specifically to live at EcoVillage. For those who have ever been curious about living in an intentional community focused on sustainability, now is the time to act as spaces are still open in the new village” [13] 12

EcoVillage at Ithaca is one of the most recognized examples of successful working models of sustainable development. [14] Located in Rachel Carson Way, Ithaca, New York this EcoVillage and Cohousing project is a growing suburban community which consist of 60 one- to four-bedroom houses spread over 70ha and two neighborhoods. The 160 residents aim to demonstrate a more sustainable way of living for Americans by reaching mainstream culture through education programs and media coverage. Residents of the 30 housing units that comprise each village contribute two to three volunteer hours per week as part of various work teams providing cooking, dishes, outdoors, and. finance. In addition, the Common House offers several communal meals a week and a play area for kids in the colder months.

The EcoVillage has employed several environmental design features including passive solar strategies to optimize winter heat gain and minimize it in summer. Installed solar panels were expected to generate 60,000-kilowatt hours per year, offsetting about 60% of residential energy usage and reducing carbon dioxide by 250 tons. Tax deductions and incentives offered by New York State encourage EcoVillage’s increased efforts to reduce their community’s ecological footprint. Other relevant technologies include low-flow toilets and faucets, radiant floor heating, rainwater catchment systems and compost toilets in some houses help reduce resource consumption.

Conclusion There are a number different ways in which society can begin to adopt strategies that can lead towards a sustainable future. Ranging from locally based food production and conserving energy use, to Ecovillages and other intentional comminutes, these projects are brought together by common threads, of developing more sustainable and satisfying ways of living, and restoring degraded ecosystems. At the helm of these initiatives, is the EcoVillage movement, which offers a whole systems approach to sustainable development that can be applied equally to urban and to rural settings and to industrialized and non-industrialized countries.

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Any discussion about Ecovillages must recognize that, traditional villages with their indigenous cultural and their way of creating synergy with the encompassing ecosystems and the community have become design criteria for a sustainable EcoVillage settlement. This leads us to believe that the transition from a culture of unsustainability to a culture of sustainability entails broadening the concept of bridging traditional villages and Ecovillages. My own point of view is that while Ecovillages incorporate technologies that cover the energy, water, sanitation and building materials fields, traditional villages provide a working example for sustainable resource use and the conservation of diversity by committing to a long-term vision of social, economic and ecological sustainability.

On a personal note, this Master’s thesis explores one aspect of this research topic. At the PhD level, I will have the opportunity to obtain a complete understanding of the underlying principles of the Ecovillages movement, strongly enriching my future studies and helping me in my prospective career goals of making a lasting, positive impact on the community where consumption and generation of waste is minimized, clean, renewable water supply is available, protected and conserved, and renewable, non-toxic energy sources are used to heat and power the community.

References: 1. Gilman, R. and D. Gilman (1991): Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities, Gaia Trust.

2. Ecovillage Network of Canada, http://enc.ecovillage.org/ecovillages.html 3. Gilman, Robert (summer, 1991), "The Eco-village Challenge", In Context, URL http://www.context.org/iclib/ic29/gilman1/.

4. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohousing 5. The Cohousing Association of the United States (http://www.cohousing.org).

6. Academia.edu, Meltzer, www.academia.edu/1801032/Ecovillages_and_Cohousing A_personal_take_on_their similarities and differences 14

7. The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), http://gen.ecovillage.org/about-gen.html 8. Findhorn Ecovillage, http://www.ecovillagefindhorn.org/ 9. The Farm. http://www.thefarm.org/ 10. The Farm Community. http://www.thefarmcommunity.com/ 11. Albert Bates; http://www.thefarm.org/lifestyle/albertbates/akbp1.html 12. Village Homes Davis, CA, http://www.villagehomesdavis.org/ 13. Inhabitat, http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-communitysetting/ 14. EcoVillage at Ithaca, http://ecovillageithaca.org/evi/index.php/about/about

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