Seminar - November 2017
A Comparative Case Study of Ecovillages from the Permaculture Perspective
Dr Jungho Suh, Lecturer in Geography, Environment and Population, University of Adelaide
For our November seminar, the Food Values Research Group is pleased to present Dr Jungho Suh.
Permaculture takes a systems approach to sustainable human settlements above and beyond organic food production. Likewise, the ecovillage movement places emphasis on the holistic sustainability of living. No wonder, permaculture has been a philosophical and practical guide to ecovillage development. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of two forms of ecovillage development: establishing new intentional communities, and retrofitting existing traditional villages. For comparison purposes, the study focuses on Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland, Crystal Waters in Australia, and Ecovillage at Ithaca in the US, and Mundang Ecovillage, a traditional agricultural village in South Korea. Using a simplified sustainability checklist, this study finds that the three intentional communities have given priority to building low-impact housing and relying on renewable energy sources. Mundang Ecovillage has strengths in the aspects of agricultural sustainability and social cohesion. This study posits that collective and cooperative communal work on organic farms generates social interactions and enhances integrity among community members. Thus, a great deal of synergy can be generated from alliances between native-led rural ecovillage development and aspiring back-to-the-land migrants.
When: Wednesday, 8th of November, 1-2 PM
Where: Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide (click here for campus map)
Dr Jungho Suh is Lecturer in Geography, Environment and Population at the University of Adelaide. His current research interest areas range from permaculture philosophy to back-to-the-land migration and to community-based ecotourism. He obtained a Permaculture Design Certificate at the Food Forest, a permaculture farm located at northern Adelaide, South Australia, in 2012. Out of his interest in ecovillages, Jungho has recently visited various ecovillages including Crystal Waters in Queensland, Auroville in Tamil Nadu, Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland, and Ecovillage at Ithaca in New York. His Food Value Research Group seminar is based on a journal article to be published in a forthcoming issue of Community Development.