SUCCESSFUL
ECO-VILLAGES
Prepared For: Written Communication
Instructor: Patricia Navin-Hutjens
Prepared By: Levi Besaw
02/08/2013
Research Report
MEMORANDUM
Date: 4/20/2013
To: Patricia Navin-Hutjens
From: Levi Besaw
Subject: Successful Ecovilllage Planning
Attached is the report you requested for Written Communication. The report contains a
summary of research on the topic of successful ecovillages. Simply put, a problem with
many eco-villages is that they fail. Our culture is in such a state that endeavors such as
these desperately need to succeed for the health and abundance of human life, yet the
common mindset regarding the topic is one of complacence. This dynamic will create
endless challenges on the journey to make socially responsible ideals of sustainability
into reality.
Findings have been organized in a series of topics which all need working solutions in
order for an ecovillage project to succeed.
The generalized solutions which are conclusive from the research can be essentially
described as:
• More research for every topic
• Continuous documentation
• Prioritized design
• Integration with the larger community
• Strength of character
• Fun!
Thank you for the time and energy you have put into the development of this course.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ….……………………………………………………i
INTRO .………………………………………………………………………………………….ii
FINDINGS ……………………………………………………………………………………………..iii
Timeline ………………………………………………………………….A
Government ………………………………………………………………B
Efficient Meetings and Communication……………………………………1
Decision Making Process………………………………………………………..2
Contingencies …………………………….……………………………………….3
Finance …………………………………………………………………C
Startup Cost ………………………………………………………1
Income Generation …….………………………………………….2
Communal Fund Structure ..………………………………………3
Land ………………………………………………………………………D
Location, Terrain and Size ……………………………………….1
Cost, Buildings, and Laws ………………………………………..2
Shelter ……………………………………………………………………E
Energy …………………………………………………………………….F
Wind and Hydroelectric Power …………………………………..1
Solar ………………………………………………………………2
Geothermal ……………………………………………………….3
Food ……………………………………………………………………G
Crop ………………………………………………………………1
Permaculture ……………………………………………………2
Animals …………………………………………………………..3
Vertical Farming ………………………………………………….4
Water …………………………………………………………………….H
Availability ……………………………………………………….1
Sources ……………………………………………………………2
Legal ………………………………………………………………………I
Building Codes ……………………………………………………1
Land Use ………………………………………………………….2
Legal Recourse and Culpability ………………………………….3
Public Image ………………………………………………………………J
Neighbor Approval ……………………………………………….1
Positive Outer-Communal Actions ……………………………….2
Inner Community Dynamics and Morale ………………………………K
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ………………………………….iv
WORKS CITED …………………………………………………………………v
Executive Summary
Purpose of the report
Ecovillages are largely unstudied and have had varying levels of success throughout their
history. The purpose of this report is to determine the methods of operation that will
provide the highest likelihood of success for an ecovillage project.
Ecovillage concerns
The following is a list of specific variables that will determine the success of the project,
each of these issues is an integral component of a functioning eco-village and should be
studied thoroughly.
• Timeline of the project
• Governmental structures
• Finance
• Land
• Shelter
• Water
• Legal concerns
• Public image
• Morale
• Inner communal
dynamics.
