Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek

The ecovillage Smeden, a co : housing association, is situated just four
kilometres south of the city centre of Jonkoping in an area that once was
the small church village of Ljungarum - today an integrated part of the
modern city, close to the motor way E4. The village is build according to
ecological principles and consists of 24 apartments in semi-detached houses
with a common village house in addition. The sizes of the apartments
vary between 81 and 137 m 2 . Established in the years of 1993-1995.
The initiative of building an ecovillage was originally a political issue
of the city council of Jonkoping in 1988. By the establishment of an
Ecovillage Society in 1990, interested citizens themselves had the opportunity
to work for the realisation of the project and to take part in
the planning and formation of the village and houses. The participation
of the future inhabitants was possible due to a long range co-operation
with the architects (Arkitektradet AB) and the building company
(Mjobacks Entreprenad AB).
Smeden is located on former farmland, at the edge of a small forest,
now a local area of nature preservation. The orientation of the houses is
sun facing with the forest at the back (north), thus getting lots of sun
radiation on the solar collectors integrated in the roofs and also heat
from passive solar power through the triple glazed windows. The fronts
Smeden Sweden
Jonkoping
existing
eco-village
153