Re: [carfreeecovillages] tryout of carfree ecovillage definition

posted to the following places:
http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/carfreeecovillages
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurCultureOurCapitol/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BuildaCarFreeCity/
(It is a little boring, but some important points I have not
made before are presented-- I've highligted some of them
with marks like this: ...................)


Soif- that seems to work fine.

I always, however, favor one-line definitions (you can wax
eloquent after the main point has been succinctly and
clearly expressed):

    A car-free ecovillage is a ecovillage that is explicitly
car-free.

    An ecovillage is a place where people live who are
committed to living in a sustainable way.

    A sustainable way of life is one that is as maintainable
as possible within a specified context.

Actually- this definition is vague and unsatisfactory.
influenced by Derrick Jensen's _A language older than words_
and Brian Czech (author of _Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway
Train: Errant Economics, Shameful Spenders, and a Plan to
Stop Them All_ and http://www.steadystate.org),

.......................................
I have come to consider that the main ethos may be: are the
individuals involved focused on what is good for the group
as a whole, or are they focused on what is good for
themselves at the expense of the group.

Where the group consists of all living things.
.......................................

Both Derrick Jensen (an awesome read-- I need to let it
settle before I decide how huge it is) and Brian Czech
suggest that the only solution to our problem is

...................................
developing a society where those whose behavior benefits them at the
expense of the group are shunned in all ways, whereas those
who make the greatest contribution to the good of the group
are the most respected.
...................................

A second try:

A car-free ecovillage is an ecovillage that is explicitly
car-free.

An ecovillage is a group of individuals living in physical
proximity who respect practices that contribute to the good
of the group and who reject practices that benefit an
individual at the expense of the group.

Where the group includes all living things.

Car-free means that if private motorized transport ceased to
exist, the activities of the villagers would not be
affected.

All of these are ideals to be aspired to. Aspiring to the
car-free ideal most likely will mean locating the village in
such a place that it is not affected by private motorized
transport, in addition to the activities of the villagers
themselves not being dependent upon private motorized
transport.

**************************************************
The basic problem of the car is that it takes up space.
Space that is either filled with cars when that space is in
use, or filled only with empty pavement when it is not.
**************************************************

=======================================================
How about this: We are seeking to develop communities where
the percentage of space and other resources devoted solely
to transportation is minimized.
=======================================================

Even shorter:

A xxx-xxxx ecovillage is:

A community where the resources devoted to moving things
around are minimized. All transportation needs are
considered in the following way: (1) is it necessary for
life? (2) If it is not necessary, does it add beauty to
life?

This has been a bit of a brainstorm, and it has rained out-
perhaps we can draw something useful from it.

Notice the movement away from "car-free".

In the long- (and possibly short-) term losing that term
will be necessary.

Right now, it is somewhat amusing in a familiarly sad way
that car-free and ecovillage are not redundant.

My point is that if you are writing a vision statement for a
human community you wish to have last a long time, that
statement should not focus on something that you do not wish
to have last as long as the community (cars in this case).

If this is simply an exercise in reforming/affecting the
ecovillage movement (a worthy goal), we should be clear
about that.

Colin
http://j9k.org

On Tue, 22 Apr 2003, [iso-8859-1] François Schneider wrote:

> Here is a tryout of carfree ecovillage definition, also for our carbusters
> essay
> What do you think? What should be improved? Do you have other definitions?
>
> greetings
> soif
>
> "A carfree ecovillage is human settlement of relatively small size, large
> enough to allow diversity and small enough to allow recognition and
> integrate nature in its premises.
> In its design a carfree ecovillage needs to integrate all aspects globally,
> and especially the proximity requirements, the recycling and integration in
> the nature for food, energy and construction. It manages to combine social
> and environmental fundamentally, by restricting to activities that
> fundamentally respect other beings on the local and global level. As the car
> is one of the most unrespectful element of modern settlements, it is not
> welcomed.  A carfree ecovillage is not accessible by car and the inhabitants
> do not rely on the automobiles for any of their activities. In its optimal
> setting, the carfree village would not have a parking lot even far away but
> still be a site that many people could visit, where people could meet and
> develop very various activities. Stays and perspectives are longer- and
> slower- and relations between people is based cooperation and commitment
> toward self-sufficiency -avoiding imports and exports of materials, energy
> and water."
>
> François Schneider
> Quinta do boição
> 2670-632
> Bucelas
> Portugal
> tel: +351 21 968 14 12
> [email protected]
>



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