Here are six key elements that
distinguish a Village:

 

1. PERIMETER

• Land is owned by the community
• Has a geographic boundary
• Has a calculated capacity
• Everyone in the village is looked after

2. WALKABILITY

• Community is not designed around cars
• No wide roads for cars are within the village
• Safer for children and everyone
• Villagers can access (rent or borrow) cars at the perimeter
• Access to what villagers need is within walking distance
• Electric personal vehicles or carts are available for those with limited mobility

3. FOOD

• Food for villagers is grown or produced within the village with the  intention of exploring ways to become food self-sufficient
• The village aims to grow more food than the village requires, to sell or share with neighboring communities
• The need for food transport is removed or reduced
• New technologies for food production are used
• Agriculture includes all season indoor & vertical gardening, permaculture, aquaponics

4. ENERGY

• The village generates its own electricity, heating & cooling, and water sources
• Solar, wind, geothermal, water movement and other innovative renewable energy sources are used
• Insulation and conservation is emphasized

5. SELF-GOVERNANCE

• There is a self-governing process that includes input from all residents
• A proven model for solving problems is practiced and implemented

6. WORK (ECONOMIC SYSTEM)

• Local investment is used to fund business development
• Workers’ Self Directed Enterprises (WSDE’s) are created by villagers to serve the village and the surrounding community
• Village businesses generate income for villagers and for village maintenance and improvement
• The use of money for exchange within the village eventually becomes unnecessary