The term Ecovillas may not be known to many people yet, but it has been gaining more and more space in Brazil and that’s why we’re going to let you know about this subject.
What is an Ecovillage?
They are urban communities or farms that may or may not be close to cities and seek to be self-sustainable, with a high quality of life and low impact on the environment. They were inspired by the alternative communities of the 60s.
Ecovillages are based on cooperation, self-consumption, renewable energy and ecological materials, thus introducing sustainable practices into the daily lives of residents.
These communities change interrelationships, as the format of a family’s relationships is deconstructed, expanding the family circle to all the people who live there.
Thus, the interaction between residents is a highly valued aspect because it is through dialogue and communication that the community develops and knowledge is passed on.
The main idea of an Ecovillage is to provide a life directly linked to nature, in which residents can harvest their own fruits and vegetables, for example. There it is also possible for them to charge electric cars in their own homes through energy producers.
How do I live in an ecovillage?
First of all, it is necessary to identify with the ideas defended by these communities, after all, a life with a low environmental impact can be different from the existing lifestyles in large metropolises.
To live in an ecovillage is simple. You can choose the one that interests you the most and get in touch with them; after this first contact, it is important that you visit the chosen ecovillage to make the decision.
Some of them have their own hosting system for visitors, so you can get to know and see with your own eyes how the ecovillage works.
After the visit, if you liked the place and are sure that living in an ecovillage is what you want, then you will need to adjust your lifestyle to this new reality in which you will be.
How much does it cost to live in an ecovillage?
Like any new property you buy, you need to make an investment. They make lots available to new members and, after purchasing the lot, the construction of the house begins, which is usually done in joint efforts, following bio-construction issues.
First, you have to buy a title that entitles you to a house that will be built in a joint effort, as mentioned above. The total value is low compared to a house anywhere; this amount today does not even reach 50 thousand reais, which is paid in some way that you can pay.
4 reasons to live in an ecovillage
If you have any doubts about whether or not to live in an ecovillage, we’ve put together some good reasons to clear your doubts.
Cooperative spirit
One of the main bases of ecovillages is good coexistence, with a lot of harmony and cooperation; residents are always ready to offer support to each other on various issues, both individually and collectively.
Buildings are sustainable
Example of a house with sustainable construction.
As ecovillages seek to provide a life linked to nature, it would not make sense that the construction of houses did not follow this same thought and, for this reason, they are assembled using bio construction techniques.
Organic food
Organic production is highly encouraged in the ecovillages to promote self-sufficiency, which allows you to harvest your own food. Each resident there harvests, plants and shares what to grow.
Shared education
Ecovillage knowledge is shared by everyone, children and adults. This practice is very much in line with their essence, that is, the spirit of collectivity and solidarity.
4 examples of ecovillages in Brazil
Are you interested and want to have this change of life? Here in Brazil, this trend is taking hold and there are already several ecovillages across states and cities. We’ve selected some for you to discover and, who knows, maybe go and visit.
Clearing up
The ecovillage Clearing is located in the Mountain range, in São Paulo, between the cities of Piracaia and Joanópolis. It has 23 hectares, two are native forests, four springs and many araucaria forests.
In this ecovillage, urbanization does not always mean destruction, so the houses are built using techniques that minimally harm the environment. Through the association with USP, UNICAMP and UNESP universities, construction technologies are always improved.
Bamboo Ecovillage
This Ecovillage is located in Porto Alegre, between the cities of Novo Hamburgo and Nova Petrópolis, more specifically on the stretch known as “Rota Romântica”.
Ecovila Bambu is a community space that has cultural and educational purposes, transmitting consolidated values and practices. They use the traditional practices of ecovillages, which are organic agriculture, bioconstruction, agroforestry systems, alternative energy, among others.
White wing
Asa Branca ecovila is a model of the sustainable project in Brazil, currently being one of the main ones. It is located in Brasília, in a place surrounded by waterfalls and, for this reason, they offer the so-called eco-pedagogical tourism for those people who want to know what it is like to live in an environment like this.
Gold Flower Natural Life
Founded in the early ’80s, it is located in Goiás and is one of the best known in the country. The city in which this ecovillage is located is already a place with a more alternative and detached lifestyle.
The Flor de Ouro Vida Natural ecovillage has private lots and lots for collective use, with spiritual, sustainable and cultural practices.
3 examples of ecovillages around the world
Ecovillages are all over the world, so if you want to have this lifestyle outside the country, you can also live this experience. Here are some of the ecovillages that exist around the world.
Findhorn
One of the first ecovillages in the world, Findhorn is located in the north of Scotland and was founded in 1985. It has about a thousand residents.
Their houses are built trying to generate the least possible impact and, for that, they use reused materials, in addition, they use solar heating, green roofs and dry toilets.
They fully reuse water and also have their own wind energy system. The use of vehicles in the community is done by the scale and the cars are communal.
The Farm
It was created in 1971 from a caravan that transported 320 hippies who stayed on a cattle farm in Tennessee, in the United States of America.
Currently, The Farm has a little over 200 people, who live in a very large space, with about 5 square miles of tall forests. There are already four generations of families.
The ecovillage has been awarded several times for its activism in defense of indigenous rights.
Yarrow EcoVillage
Yarrow EcoVillage was founded in 2001 in Canada, which is a model country when it comes to sustainability, in an old 10-hectare farm.
Yarrow EcoVillage.
They have areas dedicated to both housing and cultivation. There is an expansion project so that they can have a village with a capacity for 35 houses, which was requested in 2004 as new zoning.
Agrihoods
The Agrihoods may seem very similar to Ecovillage, but there is a difference: they have growing food as an essential activity, without leaving behind the comforts of urban life. In Agrihoods, technology and human and real estate development are considered an important part of the growth of communities.
Now you could see that it is possible, yes, to live in a more harmonious and sustainable way without giving up some comforts. Ecovillages are all over the world and you can enjoy getting to know them, even if you don’t want to live yet, but it’s worth having this experience.
Are you interested in nature-related content? So be sure to check out: 16 options for plants to grow indoors.
