Ecovillages: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities

An Analysis of Ecovillages as Model Sustainable Communities
Haley Burger, Environmental Studies Freshman Research Associate; Laura Winters, Environmental Studies Freshman Research Associate;
Alison Ormsby, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies; Rachel Beck, Environmental Studies
Eckerd College 4200 54th Ave South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711
Discussion and Recommendations Abstract
There is no particular equation for an ideal ecovillage. Each ecovillage develops from a variety of different
circumstances. Through our studies, we have found recurring themes and characteristics of successful
ecovillages. These features include:
•  partnership with institution like a university
Ecovillages are intentional communities in which the inhabitants live sustainably, with as little impact on
the earth as possible. Through this research, we defined ecovillages and gathered statistical information and case
study data on several established communities throughout the world. We found there is a spectrum of the different
types of ecovillages ranging from cohousing to communes, to other forms of intentional communities. Much of
our research led us to the publications and statistical data from organizations such as the Global Ecovillage
Network, the Fellowship for Intentional Communities, the Gaia Trust, as well as individual contributors and
founders. We gathered comprehensive data for each of the ecovillages we researched and documented the
following aspects: location; size; number of residents; features; currency; funding; date established; and any
associated belief system. Recurring themes found among the ecovillages we studied included: on-site businesses;
conflict resolution methods and specific decision-making process; sustainable farming; and partnerships with
outside organizations. There is neither a single standard nor “correct” regime for a successful ecovillage. These
different elements provided structure and in some cases, financial sustenance for the ecovillage.
•  affiliation with the Global Ecovillage Network for support and structure
•  freedom of spiritual expression
•  rural location with adequate acreage
•  organized economic system handling personal and group finances
•  strong population size (ranging from approximately 50-100 people)
•  sustainable practices such as organic farming, composting, usage of greywater, biofiltration, recycled and
reclaimed buildings, aquaponics, and husbandry
•  communal decision-making Introduction
An intentional community is an umbrella term for ecovillages, communes, alternative communities, cohousing
communities, and other projects where people live together with a common vision (Fellowship for Intentional
Communities). An ecovillage specifically focuses on sustainable development in order to “meet the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland, 1987, page
54). Some common practices that frequently are included in sustainable development are: •  solar energy, geothermal energy, and natural resource conservation
•  recycling materials and composting
•  permaculture
Permaculture focuses on organic agricultural techniques, but also includes the sustainable design and infrastructure
of a community (Pittman, 2013).
https://maps.google.com Figure 3: Location of Ecovillages Studied
Methods
We searched for the most established ecovillages from a range of diverse locations. An “established
ecovillage” refers to a variety of features (organic agricultural practices, solar panel systems, etc.) and the length
of time in operation. After compiling a list of established ecovillages, we narrowed our table down to the seven
best examples of ecovillages. Some of the major sources we evaluated include: the Global Ecovillages Network,
the Fellowship for Intentional Communities, and individual authors such as Jan M. Bang, Hildur Jackson, Karen
Svensson, and Lucy Sargisson. These organizations and individual author contributions were through a variety of
sources such as web pages of ecovillages, scholarly and popular journal articles, portions of books, and online
encyclopedias. After analyzing the aforementioned sources for each ecovillage, we then summarized them based
on the following characteristics: location, size, number of residents, features, currency and funding, date
established, and the belief system. •  on-site businesses that produce food and goods
The seven ecovillages we researched include most of the above mentioned elements. For example, Berea
Ecovillage is a hands-on learning laboratory for the students of Berea College, Kentucky to practice sustainable
gardening, permaculture techniques, and a biofiltration sewage system. Berea is only fourteen years old, but with
the funding and structure provided by the college, it appears to be succeeding in its goals of teaching ecovillagestyle living. Dyssekilde Ecovillage and the Svanholm Ecovillage, both located in Denmark, are so successful in part
because of the support of a Danish ecovillage network. The founding of both the Danish Association for
Sustainable Communities in 1993 and the Global Ecovillage Network in 1991 created a support system of
ideologies and principles upon which to found new ecovillages internationally. Ecovillages can succeed in very opposite settings. For instance, the Los Angeles Ecovillage (LAEV) and the
Sólheimar Ecovillage in Iceland are both over 20 years old, recycle, use alternative energy sources, and organic
agriculture, yet the LAEV is located within a busy metropolis and Sólheimar resides on more than 1,000 acres of
rural land. Sólheimar is also a good example of a financially stable and self-sufficient ecovillage. Sólheimar has a
candle, musical instrument, and weaving factory where members help produce goods to sell for the community.
The Otamatea Ecovillage in New Zealand and the Twin Oaks Community in Virginia also produce goods to
sell to support the ecovillage. These seven ecovillages do not include all of the different features mentioned
above; each ecovillage differs culturally and geographically. However, most do include many of these elements,
which further support our conclusion that these seven ecovillages are well-established and successful.
http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/see-and-do/eco-village-dyssekilde/382
Figure 5: Dyssekilde, Denmark
http://small-scale.net/stash/2009/01/03/twin-oaks-in-short/
Figure 7: Twin Oaks, Virginia
Figure 1: Sólheimar Ecovillage, Iceland Figure 6: Berea Ecovillage, Kentucky
Figure 8: Otamatea, New Zealand
http://www.michaelheacock.com/toolslinks/ecomachines.html A. Ormsby
http://en.south.is/DiscoverSouthIceland/TownsVillages/ViewTown/solheimar-ecovillage Figure 4: Table of Ecovillages Studied
References
Bang, J.M. Ecovillages: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers, 2005. 102-105. Print Bates, A. (2003). Ecovillage roots (and branches). Communities Magazine, (117), Retrieved from http://gen.ecovillage.org/iservices/publications/articles/CM117RootsandBranches.pdf on November 11, 2012.
Belongie, M., & Moorman, J. (2002). Los Angeles eco-village (laev). Retrieved from http://laecovillage.org/index.htm on 21 September 2012.
Brundtland, G. Conference of NGOs: United Nations. NGO Committee on Education. Our Common Future, Chapter 2: Towards Sustainable Development. 1987. Print. http://www.un-documents.net/
ocf-02.htm
Christian, D. (2007). Finding community: How to join an ecovillage or intentional community. (pp. 75-76, 139). Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers. The Danish Association for Sustainable Communities. (2009). Retrieved from http://losnet.dk/english/engindexfrm0.htm
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Jackson, R. (2009). Economics in an Ecovillage Future. Tokyo, Third International Ecovillage Conference. Otamatea Ecovillage. Retrieved September 9th, 2012 from http://www.otamatea.org.nz/index.htm
Pittman, S. "Sustainable Living, Practical Learning." Permaculture Institute. Permaculture Institute, Web. 2 Dec 2012. http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/index/
Sargisson, L. (2004). Justice Inside Utopia? The Case of Intentional Communities in New Zealand. Contemporary Justice Review. 7(3):321-333 Solheimar. Solheimar. Retrieved from http://www.solheimar.is/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=323&Itemid=194 on November 11, 2012.
Twin Oaks Community. Retrieved from Web. 4 Oct 2012. http://www.twinoakscommunity.org
Figure 2: Timeline of Date of Establishment for Ecovillages Studied