Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek
Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek
Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek
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A village is def<strong>in</strong>ed, on the Ekistic Scale by C. A. Doxiades and the<br />
World Society <strong>of</strong> Elastics <strong>in</strong> the 1960's, as hav<strong>in</strong>g 40 to 1500 <strong>in</strong>habitants.<br />
It might have one or more neighbourhoods <strong>in</strong> it, but def<strong>in</strong>itely<br />
has at least one shop or similar food outlet, some production <strong>of</strong> foods<br />
and goods for its own use and for export outside its boundaries. These<br />
factors vary from country to country and with<strong>in</strong> countries from local<br />
culture to local culture. Very broadly def<strong>in</strong>ed, it is the entity between<br />
an hamlet and a town, and, usually, has its own local decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
council or steer<strong>in</strong>g committee.<br />
An eco-village is an <strong>in</strong>tentional, susta<strong>in</strong>able community either <strong>in</strong> a rural,<br />
urban or sub-urban area. It has a membership and a decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
body. It has no def<strong>in</strong>ite size - but will usually range <strong>in</strong> population<br />
from 50 to 3000 persons (these were the figures mentioned at the F<strong>in</strong>dhorn<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-village and Susta<strong>in</strong>able Community Conference 1995). It has<br />
all the aspects <strong>of</strong> a <strong>in</strong>tentional community, a village or co-hous<strong>in</strong>g, as<br />
stated above, and an holistic ecological project <strong>in</strong> its aims, even if it has<br />
not reach the ultimate as yet. And it has more.<br />
Almost all the eco-<strong>villages</strong> believe that by serv<strong>in</strong>g others we are serv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
ourselves - on a path towards greater self-knowledge and selffulfilment.<br />
Everyone who visits an eco-village marvel at the atmosphere<br />
and the social cohesion. Pretty quickly, they, can f<strong>in</strong>d their own place,<br />
their own way to take part <strong>in</strong> its work - for a shorter or longer period<br />
<strong>of</strong> time. It may be with special expertise or with <strong>in</strong>formation, it may be<br />
to mediate or just to understand or just to come and give love.<br />
Everyone liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> our human society who acquires any level <strong>of</strong> power<br />
feels a need to put it to good use, to change the world around them for<br />
the better. Giv<strong>in</strong>g support to an ecological project while liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> it<br />
reflects this desire. It is not just giv<strong>in</strong>g a penny to a starv<strong>in</strong>g beggar, but<br />
you are participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> an effort to build an ecological settlement, to<br />
build a viable community - an eco-village - and, thereby, build a stronger<br />
base for a better and peaceful society.<br />
Declan <strong>Kennedy</strong><br />
e-mail: declan@gaia.org<br />
Self Audit: http://www.gaia.org/thegen/evaudit<br />
<strong>Eco</strong>-balance: http://www.gaia.org/ecobalance<br />
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