It is an important time on our planet, when we are called to live lighter, re-localise and adopt regenerative approaches to all that we do, so we can be true custodians of the earth. Ecovillages, worldwide aspire to address many social, ecological, economic and cultural issues. They aim to improve quality of life, use integral holistic design in the built environment, restore and regenerate ecosystems, use dynamic and inclusive governance systems and enhance and regenerate our relationships within the community and with the land.
What is an ecovillage?
GEN’s definition of ‘ecovillage’ is broad, allowing for many different kinds of communities and projects to be recognised. Because each ecovillage is designed by the people who live there, according to their vision, context, culture and interests, no two are alike.
An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned participatory processes in all four Areas of Regeneration (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate social and natural environments.
Global Ecovillage Network (GEN)
Ecovillages in Australia
Ecovillages are considered types of intentional communities, however, intentional communities are not always ecovillages. This is also true of landsharing communities, which are types of intentional communities but not all are ecovillages.
The ecovillage movement in Australia is about 40 years old and for many of these years, ecovillages were not fully visible. Today with the multiple crises we are facing, there is a need for ecovillages in Australia to share their solutions, best practices, lessons and insights for new and emerging communities as well as wider society.
Some examples of ecovillages in Australia that have different regenerative lifestyle and living approaches are Crystal Waters Ecovillage (permaculture design and practice); Tasman Ecovillage (socially responsible rental/investments rather than home ownership); Christie Walk (urban cohousing); and Narara Ecovillage (large scale design, demonstration ecovillage).
What ecovillages are not
• An Ecovillage is not a particular outcome, but an ongoing process. Each ecovillage is a living and learning center for a regenerative future, a place of continuous exploration.
• Ecovillages are not designed by outside developers, architects or experts, but by communities themselves.
• Ecovillages do not focus solely on ecology, even though many ecovillages start with a strong focus on the ecological dimension. Preservation and restoration of nature can only succeed when the social fabric is strong, cultural heritage is celebrated and people find ways to marry their love for the planet with their need to make a living. Experience has shown that, given enough time, ecovillages will naturally develop to encompass all four dimensions of sustainability.
• Ecovillages are not islands for the rich and middle class. Some of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in the ‘Global South’ and communities with the lowest recorded eco-footprints in the ‘Global North’ are engaged in GEN. Ecovillages in the ‘North’ typically focus on simplifying lifestyles to bring their ecological impacts below local and global carrying capacities. They have some of the lowest recorded eco-footprints with respect the national averages in their countries. Ecovillages in the ‘South’ typically focus on preserving precious low-impact traditions, while improving living standards.
Communities do not need to call themselves an ‘Ecovillage’ in order to be recognized by GEN.
Ecovillages come in many different forms, size and scale. Explore the GEN Australia Ecovillage Projects to see if there is an ecovillage or ecovillage project near you.
