Traditional Urban Design vs. Ecovillage Design

There have been recent debates in the environmental realm over traditional urban and ecovillage designs, specifically in terms of which one is more suited for sustainability long-term. As the world tries to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change, the comparisons between urban and ecovillage design are likely to continue. We're breaking down the basics so you can understand the purpose behind both approaches to managing populations. 

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What Is An Ecovillage?

According to the Global Ecovillage Network, an ecovillage is "an intentional or traditional community that uses local participatory procedures to holistically integrate ecological, economic, social, and cultural components of sustainability to regenerate social and natural environments."

These communities are designed to limit harm to the natural world through meticulous architectural planning and purposeful activities of their residents. They are deliberate efforts to revive and repair its social and environmental surroundings using locally owned participatory approaches.

Ecovillages can be designed to support larger communities into the hundreds or operate on a smaller scale of a few dozen residents. These are often called micro-villages. Larger ecovillages are frequently made up of networks of smaller ecovillages that combine resources, ideas, labor, and activities.

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Urban Design Defined

From the tiniest neighborhoods to the largest metropolitan areas, the urban design addresses our communities' layout, aesthetics, and functionality. In the process of constructing settlements in which people can live, interact socially, and explore their immediate environment, urban design attempts to fit as many functionalities as possible within an area. Meaning, restaurants, workplaces, grocery stores, other businesses, residential and commercial buildings, and public transportation, are all accessible within a short distance. 

Several fields influence urban design, including planning, zoning, development, landscape architecture, engineering, economics, law, and finance. Urban design is a multi-scale activity that includes everything from the larger picture, like planning, zoning, transit, and infrastructure networks, to the smallest elements, like green spaces and street lighting. 

When urban design is integrated into policy and planning systems, it can significantly impact a region's land use strategy, infrastructure, built environment, and demographic composition. The design of an urban environment can also impact energy use, pollution, emissions, and levels of satisfaction by residents. 

The economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes of an urban environment are all dependent on urban design decisions.

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Major Differences Between Urban Settings And Ecovillages

Constructing how infrastructure will function and appear in an urban setting is a key piece in urban design. This ensures that each area has ideal performance, security, functionalities, and aesthetics. In urban design, while everything is close together, sustainability often takes a back seat. 

Although sustainability is becoming more of a priority in urban design, there is a long way to go. Many urban settings lack sufficient green spaces and local agricultural opportunities. Pollution and toxic wastes are not mitigated well in urban environments. Tree cover in urban settings is argued as not enough for animal habitat or general human satisfaction. 

Ecovillages are relatable to urban design in that they encourage all resources and necessities to be close together. However, ecovillages use sustainability as a top priority, where urban design falls short. They adopt environmentally friendly policies and methods to serve as models of sustainable living for the rest of society.

Most ecovillages offer educational opportunities where visitors and residents can learn new skills, like building, gardening, or making clothing. Promoting environmental and social responsibility is a key value for ecovillage living. Ecovillages offer significant contributions to rethinking sustainability by encouraging real-world actions in constructing societal alternatives.

Like urban design, ecovillages enjoy a close-knit community where everything is accessible, but in a way that limits the impact on the natural world and wildlife.

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Why Are Ecovillages Sustainable?

An ecovillage attempts to have the least possible detrimental influence on the natural environment through intentional physical design and resident behavior choices. Ecovillage residents are bound by common ecological, social-economic, and cultural-spiritual values. 

Members of ecovillages seek solutions to environmentally harmful electrical, water, transportation, and waste-treatment systems, as well as the larger social systems that mirror and support them. Many people believe that the breakdown of traditional forms of community, wasteful consumerist lifestyles, the destruction of natural habitat, urban sprawl, factory farming, and over-reliance on fossil fuels are trends that must be reversed to avoid ecological disaster and create richer and more fulfilling ways of life.

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Key Takeaways

• Urban design prioritizes convenience over sustainability.
• Ecovillages, like urban environments, encourage necessities and resources (like grocery stores and residences) to be closely positioned.
• Ecovillages are a more sustainable model compared to urban design, but the future of urban design can become more sustainable.