building a community

JamesB · building a community

just reading the posts about findhorn, I do like certain aspects of findhorn the housing, low priorty for cars, organic food etc but there are lots of things I dont like either.

I've thought for a while about how one would build an eco community, taking some of the good bits from findhorn and probably from CAT (I'll find out more next month. Would it be a CATS (Centre for Alternative technology Scotland) or just an eco community (people living in close proximity with shared values).

So Im curious what others think as well and I'll emphasise now that its purely a thought exercise. There are massive issues with planning etc so I'll keep it purely idealistic!

I'll start by listing what I think are desireable attributes
1) separate houses (not cummunal living) but prob terraced to keep costs and energy down
2) communal facilities for washing machines etc which obviously make sense to share
3) access to public transport, preferably within cycling of a train station
4) car sharing is normal, very few if any need to own a car
5) gardening based on permaculture, organic ideals
6) low build cost but still eco build, to do this you need economies of scale and simple designs
7) good design (what I see permaculture is about) ie minimsing the amount of energy or effort required
8) as near as sustainable as possible ie toilet waste treated on site, electricty generated from renewal ie wind turbine

James

Ina

9) small farm / smallholding attached to produce as much of the food needed on site!
10) shop within the community (more like a co-op), run by members

Just realized I'm thinking of something like Camphill estate. Shop, farm, school, workshops - everything there.

JamesB

both good, i did think of camphill as an example and for the 1st time on saturday I actually wandered through the estate rather than just visiting the shop. and very nice is it too.

The only thing is about camphill s that its obviously there for a specialised reason (and a very good one) and its in a very high end of the area ie lower deeside and its seems exclusive (maybe in a different way than normal) rather than inclusive so I'll another ideal

11) inclusive, not based on any spiritual, class, income or special purpose

and a few more ideals
12) local food production in the form of onsite bakery, cheesery(?), brewery
13) local non food production ie solar panels (ala Findhorn), insulation (eg hemp), timbermill, wood products, bike shop and workshop (I dont know why someone at findhorn or camphill doesn't do this)

James

Ina

You are right on all counts! I think Camphill are trying to be inclusive - or at least open to the outside world - through the shops and some public events.

Smooth Hound

sounds like an interesting thread, ill do a bit of thinking

Forget-me-Not · Community living

Me too.

Beth

lachlanandmarcus

in Switzerland flats arent allowed washing machines, dryers etc, all the blocks are built with communal washing/drying facilities in the basement areas....so that would be a good model (as long as peeps dont steal your pants)

Fia

As we can be idealistic, I'd add 2 more:

For very long term sustainabilty, an area for trees and faster growing fuels (willow works for this yes?)

A communal indoor space to gather and commune

I lived in a housing co-op in London for many years, and had a kibbutz year, so know you're right on James about many of your points. I will muse some more...

in fact, another: a communal house for the teenagers who'd like to, gives them ownership of space and responsibity..

will muse more...

JamesB

both good. I would add that I think ash is a better fuel since it crops thicker and can be coppiced into small logs although prob not as fast growing as willow. willow only seems to work if mechanically harvested due to the volume needed and mechanical harvesting needs machinery which is not so sustainable. the amount of fuel needed is relatively minimal, mainly backup heating and cooking

James

Maria

Wonderful thread James - apols for not adding anything up to now - you've got so much covered already!

I'm still umming and ahhing about terraced housing???

think we're up to number 16??? With Fia's

14) willow/ash coppice for fuel
15) communial meeting place for adults and perhaps separate for young un's (i'd go for indoor and outdoor)

I'd like to add....

16) close to a river (public transport great - but if we're planning for the future - I'd consider waterways a good bet)

Fia

Thanks, James, yes, ash seems a long term goer. And of course birch can be burnt without seasoning. But we have people in this hypothetical community, so it could be possible to harvest willow by hand if it is part of the communal tasks?

And that'll be a navigable river then, Maria

Unless we add wild water kayaking to the skills we'd need

Moot point though.

Indoor and outdoor communal space for all seems essential.

Why are you umming and aahing about terraced housing though Maria? It's far cheaper to build and with each dwelling unit snuggling up to another makes the best of available space and warmth...

Smooth Hound

a coracle

no waterfalls though

JamesB

actually a waterfall would be handy (maybe on the side stream?) for water power!

Terraced houses would just be so more efficient. I did also think of courtyard style as well. I also think a mix of housing would be required, some owner occupied, some rented.

I've got a few more
17) Community composting (much more efficient when scaled up)
18) community cafe, mainly run by volunteers which then gives a discount to residents
19) some sort of LETS scheme ie trading system for babysitting, gardening, buiding labour etc
20) community pub (!) mainly run by volunteers which then gives a discount to residents
21) some sort of product lending/hire scheme for things that indivuals really dont need to own. T hink of all the stuff in your house and shed etc from chainsaws to books to specialist tools.
22) COmmunity internet access. Again, who really needs to own a computer or a dedicated internet access? I work with computers a lot but even so reckon I could share one. Obviously some will have more needs than others.
23) community orchard
24) small library?

better stop, getting carried away again!

James

P.s you've heard of simcity, I really should write simcommunity!

Smooth Hound

i can see youve thought about ths

im the same,

Smooth Hound

community school is high on my list, give the kids a good education, teach them about the things that are important, instead of this sending them off wondering whether they are safe never mind in good hands, keeping them away from being misled,

i remember when mine were in school, what a worry.

JamesB

thanks, I like the education one
25) Community education for children
26) Community courses on things like energy, permaculture etc

IainC

Fia

In my experience, next door has never been a problem, noise, disturbance or anything else wise. The problems seem to happen with flats when someone's floor is someone else ceiling. Terraced housing solves this...

IainC

I live in a semi... we hear next door... fairly sure they hear us. Not that it's a huge problem.

Mate lives in a terrace and has often enough been told to "quieten down" in the town he lives in from his neighbours.

If and when we move, it will definitely be to a detached house to avoid those kinds of "issues".

Ina

Let's face it - detached is a luxury only a few can afford. The vast majority has no choice but live in either a flat or terraced housing. It would be one heck of a waste of resources and energy if it was otherwise. Yes, I'd love to live in a detached house - but can't see that happen again in this lifetime! It all depends on how the houses are built, too; there are ways of increasing noise insulation between the houses. I currently live in a corner house of a terrace - neighbours to both sides, and I really have to make an effort to hear or see them. And that's council housing, with a lot of other deficiencies...

Maria

Ina wrote

Smooth Hound

not sure i would be keen on a shared house , i think id like more privacy than that within a community, i think id probably be looking at something that blended in to its surroundings, like a house dug into the ground, with a turf roof, withh another house next door , say 100 yds odd away, all within the same community, with shared communal facilities and land

Forget-me-Not · Community Living

Re the eco village (yes), Insch is having Local Development Plan meetings this week as Scotia want to build more houses. Consultations have gone on for ages and locals have produced a list of needs. Basically it's supposed to be built on sustainable needs. ie. central urban walkways so that you can access amenities without cars within ten mins, a bus hub further out so you can access public transport easier. Linking green areas to maximise accessibility, small and then larger industrial space for increased offices so people can work here.

Beth

building a community

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