Sustainability with Economics as an Influence

Economic Eco-Village

Proposed Community

We are planning to provide community housing on the future ecovillage site, in which residents will be able to live while working on building their homes and planning the next stages in life. Some may to choose to be very involved in the building while some may do little of the actual construction. There are many ways people can contribute to the project. The community will have a common House for meetings and meals and there exists the possibility to have a certified kitchen which would allow for the production of commercial foods. As many home based business as possible will allow for the residents to work at home or near home locations thus reducing the need for commuting.  We will grow some food and look to low cost recreation for free time. The housing will follow green building techniques with the goal of “Better Than NetZero”. Long term saving in Green Techniques saves money over time even if utility prices remain constant— and no one is suggesting that! Having a good time while going through this process is important—”Having a good time is sustainable!”

 This large undertaking has an affordable option for everyone. Some members will stay in a sponsors residence to save and to buy land. Some of the savings will be used to purchase materials from those savings. Others may join by purchasing land after the land has been subdivided. Still others will join after a home has been framed in and enclosed. Finish work will be accomplished by the owner providing considerable savings. Still others may choose to purchase a completed house in the village. Two lots of land will be reserved for sale for the materials for the common house. Members will determine how often common meals are provided.

 

We are currently looking at Land in Central and Eastern Connecticut. Perhaps due to the cost of housing in Connecticut, there are no active Ecovillage Developments. While we hope to form a sustainable community for ourselves, we also hope to be a working model for others to learn how to establish their own Ecovillage. The facility in Bellefonte will house residents saving for the community and will stay as a Living and Learning Center. This site will be the primary location for a demonstration Ecovillage allowing some privacy in the other established communities. We will likely look for a second location near the Pennsylvania Living and Learning Center. Sites with workable farm land and an interesting topography near a recreational site and or land trust lands would be ideal. Having a University near by would also be a benefit.

 

 

System chart of the process is below.  During the entire process Members study EcoVillage development. The program is listed in the Education Section. Also during the process members will study a home based business.  There are two tracks. See drawing below. The fast track is an intensive savings program wheee members share a house for two years. Savings go towards the land purchase. Members may then build all or part of their home, aid in the construction of the common house.

The regular track requires savings to purchase a lot in the Village. Then either build a home or have one built. Both groups help with the common house construction.

VILLAGE COMPLETE