Monday September 22, 1997 Meeting Notes

Foundation for Global Sustainability

present: Alan Barges, Richard Austin, Deborah Austin, Rebekah Woods, Mary Rogge, & Cara Crisler

After a potluck dinner and introductions, the meeting was primarily focused on a visioning exercise in which participants brainstormed about benefits and desired aspects of the KEVP. Richard is working on putting these ideas into a promotional brochure of sorts so that we can begin getting the word out. If you were not present, please feel free to give your input as well (preferably to Richard before the next meeting.)

1. Results of Visioning Exercise

¥ redefining luxury and wealth
¥ having time to enjoy life
¥ having time to explore one's creativity
¥ vibrant community arts program
¥ live virtually debt and expense free
¥ no utility bills
¥ peaceful, serene, quiet environment
¥ trees, orchards, gardens, woodlands, and safe walking paths and bicycle trails
¥ locally produced organic food
¥ pesticide free environment
¥ energy and power from renewable resources (solar, wind, etc.)
¥ cultural diversity
¥ neighbors who are environmentally aware, have deep appreciation and respect for nature
¥ affordable housing ("ultra low cost luxurious housing")
¥ ecological friendly construction, toxic-free, lead-free
¥ ecological waste systems (closed loop)
¥ pristine water quality
¥ permaculture
¥ mixed usage of land (residential, commercial, agriculture, etc.)
¥ home-based businesses
¥ locally networked business systems
¥ Local Exchange Trade System (LETS) = alternative economic system
¥ skills databank
¥ community integrated education
¥ large, safe play areas for children
¥ child care cooperative
¥ cooperative small scale commercial center
¥ within waking or biking distance of downtown
¥ Community Center, or Common House, per cluster, with communal functions:
¥ dining
¥ entertainment
¥ wood-working
¥ metal-working
¥ electronics
¥ crafts (pottery, sewing, etc.
¥ information utilities (library,
¥ healing center (meditation, eco-spa, etc.)
¥ computing center, etc.)
¥ lodging space for relatives, visitors

2. Maps

¥ We have a detailed map of one potential siteÑtheVestal neighborhoodÑwhich Rebekah has provided.

¥ Cara obtained a KGIS key map of Knoxville, which can be used as a reference for the 200+(!) maps that are available on a 1:200 scale. A single general KEVP map at a useable scale for our purposes is difficult to find. The key map can temporarily serve as a mark-up map for possible Ecovillage sites. Individual maps can be bought for $5-$10 on an as-need basis. We still need to investigate other map sources, eg. UT School of Planning.

3. Outreach

¥ We need to reach consensus on a KEVP "ad" (eg. brochure), using the visioning list. We need everyone's input first!

¥ Rebekah has made a set of display panels on co-housing that can be used for spreading the word about ecovillages as well. They are at FGS waiting to be used for educational purposes.

4. Research

We need to gather as much information as possible on other ecovillages so as to learn from/benefit from an existing body of knowledge. Karen Lacey, FGS intern is conducting some research on this. It was suggested by Alan that the "camper community" be included in our research. If anyone has anything, bring it along (preferrably in digital format) so that we can compile our findings, or add to the bibliography list.

5. Action points

1. gather maps (Ameet, Mary, Melinda)
2. work on dummy book (Gene)
3. keep on involving more people (everyone)
4. set up contact tree (Danny)
5. set up presentation material (Richard)
6. update website (Danny)
7. start making list of allies (Karen)
8. make bibliography (Gene/Richard)
9. keep on educating each other about the concept (everyone)

6. Mext meeting

¥ Meetings are every second and fourth Monday of each month. A potluck is held at 6:30 p.m., after which the meeting starts at 7:30. Presentations related to the Ecovillage concept are welcomed and encouraged. For directions please visit the FGS website (http://www. korrnet.org/fgs/) or call Danny (524-4771).

¥ Next meeting will be October 13 in the FGS conference room. Gene will do a presentation on Pattern Language, a study of design patterns that work for people.

If you receive this message and are not already on the list server, please subscribe by going to http://user.icx.net/~richarda/kicf/kicf.html and following the links to the discussion group.

Finally, check out our website for more information on the Ecovillage Project and other topics listed under the Sustainable Living Program of FGS: www.korrnet.org/slp.html

Bibliography

¥ An interesting interview with the author of Ecotopia can be had at: http://node9.phil3.uni-freiburg.de/1997/Puetz.html
¥ http://www.gnofn.org/~oxoasis/dgroup.htm
¥ Garden Cities:
1.Garden Cities in theory and practice by A. Sennet Bemrose 1905 (2 volumes)
2.The Search for the Environment: The Garden City before and after, by Walter Creese. Yale University Press 1956
3.The Garden City by C. Bayley Open University Press 1975
4.Urban utopia in the Twentieth Century: Ebenezer Howard, Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier edited by R. FishmanBasic Books 1977
5.Pioneers of British Planning edited by G. E. Cherry Architectural Press 1981
6.Visionaries and Planners: The Garden City Movement and the modern community by Stanley Buder. Oxford University Press 1990
7.Garden Cities and New Towns: Five Lectures Hertfordshire Publications 1990 Garden Cities and New Towns by David Hall; Ebenezer Howard: The man and his message by Robert Beevers; A Hertfordshire solution to London's problems by Michael Hebbert; Letchworth Garden City: An Architectural View; The Architecture of Garden Cities and New Towns by William Allen.
8.The Garden City: past present and future. edited by Stephen Ward .Spon 1992
9.From Garden Cities to New Towns: campaigning for Town & Country Planning 1899-1946 by Dennis Hardy E & F Spon 1991
10.From New Towns to Green Politics: campaigning for Town and Country planning 1946-1990 by Dennis Hardy E & F Spon 1991
11.The Garden City: An intimate account of the foundation and development of Letchworth by Purdom C.B. London 1913
12.The Building of Satellite Towns: The development of Lerchworth Garden City & Welwyn Garden City by Purdom C.B.J. M. Dent 1949