05 June 2011

The goal of evolving an ecovillage in the context of a currently existing urban mosaic is a long-term project, growing from an eco-house to an eco-block to an eco-hood to an eco-village.  To achieve this goal, Alchemical is working on creating the major supporting systems of everyday life that any ecovillage needs for success.  These systems should be plainly present and in balanced proportions, such as residences, food production, manufacturing, recreation, social life, and commerce (Gilman, 1991).

*Some definitions of "ecovillage" to enhance understanding of Alchemical's mission:

A. Robert Gilman's 1991 definition of an ecovillage that has become a standard:
* human-scaled
* full-featured settlement
* in which human activities are harmlessly integrated into the natural world
* in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and
* can be successfully continued into the indefinite future.
* have multiple centres of initiative.

B. Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.  Ecovillages are living models of sustainability. They represent an effective, accessible way to combat the degradation of our social, ecological, and spiritual environments.  - Global Ecolovillage Network

C. Jonathan Dawson’s Five Principles of Ecovillages:
1. Ecovillages are private citizens’ initiatives. They’re grassroots.
2. Ecovillagers value community living.
3. They are not overly dependent on government, corporate, or other centralized sources for water, food, shelter, power, and other basic necessities.
4. Ecovillagers have a strong sense of shared values, often characterized in spiritual terms.
5. They often serve as research and demonstration sites. Many offer educational experiences for others. 
—Paraphrased from "Ecovillages: New Frontiers for Sustainability"

D.  Also see "What is an ecovillage?" by Hildur Jackson & "The Ecovillage Movement" by Ross Jackson .

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