Project 2

Project 2: Initial Research Proposal

Initial Proposal #1: Local Food vs. Global Produce?

Potentially explore ongoing debate about local food vs global produce. Consider factors such as organic farming and use of GMO’s (especially recent controversy within the last few years.) Or think about agricultural bulk (cost of packaging things regionally and paying higher prices for manufacturing factories in cities vs packaging in peripheral region with lower operating costs but greater transportation costs to bring goods to market.) Already know source “Silent Spring” by Rachael Carson would be an excellent academic paper to use.

Project 2: Revised Proposal

Topic:Topic addresses the localist sustainable communities movement. In specific parts of America, people are attempting to live in local shared communities that practice localist traditions in their everyday lifestyles. “It’s a goal, a practice and an accomplishment. Conserving energy, solar power, planting trees, healthy buildings, growing and eating local, and a culture of sharing help us lower our collective resource use to about 30% of the typical American household. It’s easier to do together than alone.”

Achieves:

“Livability Principals.” Partnership for Sustainable Communities. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015. Web. <https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/mission/about-us>.

Ecovillage at Ithaca New York. Youtube, 24 Apr. 2011. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aKhOGyjrI>.

“Living Greener.” EcoVillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>.

Coen, Amanda. “EcoVillage at Ithaca Offers Sustainable Living in a Community Setting.” Inhabit. 02 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-community-setting/>.

Conversation:

Hess, David J.. “Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge”. Anthropological Quarterly 83.1 (2010): 153–176. Web.

Widespread growth of local identity and community.

Schragger, Richard C. “Anti-Chain Store Movement, Localist Ideology, and the Remnants of the Progressive Constitution, 1920-1940, The.” Iowa Law Review 90.3 (2004-2005): 1011-1094.

Presents Localism movement in various aspects with causes and conflicts to approach.

Question:

With a local communal method of thinking, how does the village exemplify local methods of a relocalization method?

Question from shared notes relates to bigger concept, “Does it balance environmental concerns with local community? Does it see localism as a way to address global (or local) environmental problems?”

Bibliography and Updated Proposal

Achieves:“Livability Principals.” Partnership for Sustainable Communities. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015. Web. <https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/mission/about-us>.

Collect information about recent increase in sustainable communities and objectives/goals of the housing units.

Ecovillage at Ithaca New York. Youtube, 24 Apr. 2011. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aKhOGyjrI>.

“Living Greener.” EcoVillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>.

Get a 360-degree view of the actual village and understand the basic planning of the community.

Coen, Amanda. “EcoVillage at Ithaca Offers Sustainable Living in a Community

Setting.” Inhabit. 02 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-community-setting/>.

Historical Perspective: Gather information on what makes its sustainable and ecofriendly.

Conversation:

Hess, David J.. “Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge”. Anthropological Quarterly 83.1 (2010): 153–176. Web.

Purpose to describe widespread growth of sustainable communities and their locality.

Schragger, Richard C. “Anti-Chain Store Movement, Localist Ideology, and the Remnants of the Progressive Constitution, 1920-1940, The.” Iowa Law Review 90.3 (2004-2005): 1011-1094.

Presents Localism movement in various aspects with causes and conflicts to different approaches.

Mazmanian, Daniel A., and Michael E. Kraft. Toward Sustainable Communities. 2nd ed. Cambridge: MIT. Print.

Informs readers of the push for sustainable communities and its impact in a greater societal image

O’Riordan, Timothy. Globalism, Localism, and Identity: Fresh Perspectives on the Transition to Sustainability. London, UK: Earthscan Publications, 2001. Print.

How the idea of sustainable communities might urge readers to transition to this “greater conceptual good.”

Sadler, J., & Kurtz, H. E. (2014). The politics of scale in a wind farm controversy in ashe county, north carolina. Southeastern Geographer, 54(3), 233-248. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1644635348?accountid=10422

Argues how ‘Politics of Scale’ plays a role in identifying the local culture of given communities.

Cox, Kevin R. “Spaces of Dependence, Spaces of Engagement and the Politics of Scale, Or: Looking for Local Politics.” ScienceDirect (1998). Web. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629897000486>.

Role of government and authoritarian figures when detailing use and practicality of given communities (ie. sustainable communities)

Smith, C. M., & Kurtz, H. E. (2003). COMMUNITY GARDENS AND POLITICS OF SCALE IN NEW YORK CITY*. Geographical Review, 93(2), 193-212. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225331805?accountid=10422

Contextual framework to make references about greater dynamics of local culture and its relations to the outside world of policy

Research Question:

A localist vision of sustainable living, EcoVillage at Ithaca, makes use of its communal structure to engage community activism. How does EcoVillage at Ithaca exemplify ‘Politics of Scale’ in its mission in its process of evaluating environmental assessment?

Peer Workshop Draft Impacting Sustainability: The Ecovillage at Ithaca

Introduction:

The Ecovillage at Ithaca is a sustainable living community nestled in Ithaca, New York. A growing neighborhood, the Ecovillage currently includes 175 acres, 75 homes, and 175 residents. One of the primary goals of the Ecovillage is to maintain a positive balance between ‘village life’ and ‘living greener.’ Part of a larger sustainable living movement that developed across America at the end of the 20^th century, the Ecovillage at Ithaca exemplifies several cohousing community principals and sustainability goals outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To examine the Ecovillage as a potential model of community involvement in both environmental sustainability and economic reform, we must consider the villages’ background, current operations, and future agenda through the selected conceptual lens of David Hess.

The Greater Movement:

The first American cohousing communities were completed in the early 1990’s and since then, more than 135 communities have been built, with dozens still under construction. Through their varied structures and locations, the neighborhoods have developed as small and large, urban and rural, newly built and retrofits. However, despite their differences, these communities have consistently acted as leaders in environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhoods (D.)

More recently, in 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined forces to assist communities across the country. Together, they began to improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment (A.) In addition, The Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC), continuously works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allowing people to live closer to their jobs, ultimately saving households time and money, and reducing pollution (A.) Within this work, the PSC seeks t to incorporate six livability principles in every community to ensure effective sustainable living.

Provide more transportation choices.
Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Enhance economic competitiveness.
Support existing communities.
Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
Value communities and neighborhoods (A.)

Ithaca, New York:

Following similar principles, the Ecovillage at Ithaca was created in 1991 and has since grown into an interconnected global movement. Aided by technology, social media, and an urgency to reconnect with the Earth, the village has shaped a “community of people living mainstream lives in a sustainable way” (B.) As a developing neighborhood, Ecovillage at Ithaca now includes farms, gardens, housing structures, community spaces, and vibrant people who share enthusiasm for lessening their impact on the Earth’s ecological footprint and living together.

Contextual Terminology

Communal structure vs communal activism? How can we examine the Ecovillage at Ithaca? To properly answer this question, we must determine the greater sustainable living movement and Ecovillage at Ithaca’s larger impact. Defining sustainable living and the effects of a cohousing community will allow us to efficiently and effectively understand the purpose of the Ecovillage and identify its core principals and rhetoric.

The Question

After understanding the contextual identity of the Ecovillage, we can examine the village’s implementation of its localist principals. In Localist Movements in a Globalist Economy David J Hess sought to distinguish environmental sustainable actions like the Ecovillage at Ithaca as an example of an environmentally oriented localization method and not a true example of distinctly localism due to its primary environmental focus. Is his impression of localism practices correct? If so, what does this mean for people who live in other local ecovillages across the country? Are they truly expressing localism practices? As a tool to create a more democratic 21^st century, localism looks to examine economic justice along with local community beliefs. Hence, does the Ecovillage at Ithaca truly exemplify a local community that adequately addresses environmental stewardship, localism, and economic justice together? How does this relate to ecovillages across the country and individuals hoping to potentially relocate to them?

Methods:

The Archive

Envisioned within its motto, “Ecovillage at Ithaca is part of a global movement of people creating positive solutions to the social, environmental, and economic crises of our planet.” These goals were used to create the three neighborhoods of the ecovillage: Frog, Song, and tree. Frog, the first neighborhood completed in 1997 has thirty homes of different sizes that all include passive solar, 14-foot-high windows and super-insulated walls to maximize solar heating (A.)

The second neighborhood was completed in 2006 and utilizes a different construction strategy using a self-development model, rather than a single architect enabling the layout of the neighborhood to be expanded to create a center area for play. In addition, Song homes are individually customized, and Energy-Star certified demonstrating a wide variety of sustainable building techniques. The large common house is central; enabling the community to gather around for meals, discussions and other daily interactions, ultimately promoting a sense of local community and policies. The final neighborhood named ‘Tree’ is expected to be certified as LEED Platinum. In addition, seven homes are designed to be qualified to the very stringent Passivhaus standard, and will become the first Passivhaus cohousing neighborhood in the US. (A.)

All homes are extremely well-insulated, with continuous fresh air ventilation supplied by Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). These homes are remarkably comfortable, yet are expected to use 80-90% less energy for heating and hot water than typical homes in the northeast. In addition, the neighborhood doesn’t use any natural gas due to concerns about fracking producers and so all of the electric homes are offset by a 50KW solar array, additional panels, and solar hot water.

As evident in each description, the Ecovillage neighborhoods focus on living sustainable by everyday means. Utilities such as solar energy and using recycling materials to construct homes emphasize the community’s enthusiasm to use local resources and illustrate their ‘back to land’ mannerisms.

In a study described on the Ecovillage at Ithaca’s website, an outline of a recent survey was conducted. According to the Ecovillage’s environmental sustainability techniques, PhD student Jesse Sherry from Rutgers University found that the ecological footprint of Ecovillage Ithaca residents is 70% less than what typical Americans use when utilizing resources needed for travel, heat, electricity, food, water and waste. Similar recycling tactics are used throughout the villages ecofriendly sharing practices. In many cases, toys, food, clothing, and furniture all get passed around throughout the various families in each neighborhood.

Calculating Definitions

In his analysis in Localist Movements and Global Economy, David Hess outlines localism as “the movement in support of government policies and economic practices orientated toward enhancing local democracy and local ownership of the economy in a historical context of corporate-led globalization” (C.) In simpler words, Hess argues that movements can only be deemed as examples of localism if they truly measure local advocacy and economic reform. Instead, Hess notes that ecovillages and other “back to land” movements, although similar to localism, focus more on local self-reliance in food and energy. In other terms, ecovillages are instead apart of the Relocalization Network that is driven much more driven by environmental concerns and less concerned with local ownership.

Similar confusion addressed in Hess’s writing can be seen across other community practices. In a paper written by Dr. Hilda Kurtz and Jacob Sadler, the controversy over a proposed wind farm on Big Spring Mountain in Ashe County, North Carolina is examined. The proposal highlights the community’s interaction with the environmental concerns linking spaces of dependence to the greater issue of wind farming (E.) Advocates of community-based electricity production argue that decentralized, renewable, and flexible power systems could challenge the calculus of environmental externalities by placing responsibility for the effects of production directly with the people affected by the system.

Research Method

Data was collected from archival sources and short interviews. Archival sources included the Ecovillage at Ithaca website, U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, and several articles by credible news sources of recent developments at the Ecovillage at Ithaca (the building of new neighborhoods, etc.) Short interviews were conducted with individuals who lived in the Ecovillage throughout their childhoods. I used the conceptual lens of David Hess in Localist Movements and Global Economy to analyze the power of environmental concerns on localism and understanding the of potential relocation networks on localist ideas.

Results:

After examining many documents highlighting the Ecovillage at Ithaca, it can be concluded that the village’s movement is an example of localism itself and not just an environmental relocalization method. Like the Wind Farm research on space dependence in community living, the village supports a collaborative neighborhood environment equally with its economic initiatives. Originally created during the first wave of cohousing communities in America, the Ecovillage has maintained its sense of localism as it has focused on environmental advocacy and economic reform. Justified as a localist measure and not just a localization tactic, the Ecovillage at Ithaca directly opposes Hess’s argument of ecovillages and their limited environmental impact.

Discussion:

Examining the ways in which the Ecovillage at Ithaca have attempted to advocate for economic reform suggest that the Ecovillage’s efforts extend further than reducing ecological impacts. In many ways, the Ecovillage has altered the definition of localism through Hess’s rhetoric and has changed the way we perceive other cohousing communities. No longer are sustainable communities just passive players in economic reform but instead promote local advocacy for just causes including environmental sustainability.

Identifying the Ecovillage at Ithaca as a method of localism offers insight into the greater practices of sustainable living. In addition, it acknowledges that the environmental controversy can be utilized as an effective method to boost economic growth in community based environments. As we look to the greater American public, the research allows us to examine how environmental concerns can shape economic goals and varied purposes. In addition, we can use this research as more ecovillages and other cohousing communities are built across the country to help predict their potential for economic growth.

Necessary Additions to Essay:

Additional Results

o Examining other sources

I need to go through more of my sources to decide the validity of an ecovillage serving as a localism movement and not just a localization practice. Because of this, I have not finish the results or discussion section…I am waiting to completely shape my argument/claim before preceding. In addition, I have to interview a few people who live in the ecovillage to get their perspective of the true purpose of the ecovillage. Is it truly for economic justice or environmental concerns?

o Outlining my research question more thoroughly

And so what? How can I expand my essay so that I’m not just arguing whether the ecovillage is an example of a localism movement or not? I think if I am able to analyze varying potential outlets I can understand how to deepen my research question and really push the limits of investigating my evidence/sources.

Works Citied

Achieves:

A: “Livability Principals.” Partnership for Sustainable Communities. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015. Web. <https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/mission/about-us>.

B: Ecovillage at Ithaca New York. Youtube, 24 Apr. 2011. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aKhOGyjrI>.

“Living Greener.” EcoVillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>.

C: Coen, Amanda. “EcoVillage at Ithaca Offers Sustainable Living in a Community

Setting.” Inhabit. 02 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-community-setting/>.

Conversation:

Hess, David J.. “Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge”. Anthropological Quarterly 83.1 (2010): 153–176. Web.

Schragger, Richard C. “Anti-Chain Store Movement, Localist Ideology, and the Remnants of the Progressive Constitution, 1920-1940, The.” Iowa Law Review 90.3 (2004-2005): 1011-1094.

Mazmanian, Daniel A., and Michael E. Kraft. Toward Sustainable Communities. 2nd ed. Cambridge: MIT. Print.

O’Riordan, Timothy. Globalism, Localism, and Identity: Fresh Perspectives on the Transition to Sustainability. London, UK: Earthscan Publications, 2001. Print.

http://www.cohousing.org/2015conference

Conversation Draft Localism for Sustainability: The Ecovillage at Ithaca

Revision Plan:

After reading Austen and Ian’s comments I have decided to work through several parts of my essay to offer more elaborate and thoughtful claims to my audience. In order to do so, I need to gather additional evidence in varied forms to calculate the real intentions of the EcoVillage: whether it tries to just be environmentally aware or also have an economic agenda. One of my sources, interviews with students who grew up in the Ithaca area and their hometown friends are scheduled for Wednesday, so as I develop my essay throughout the weekend and week, I will need room for those claims (the interviews couldn’t be scheduled before that date.) Additionally, I am still having some trouble understanding if my thesis’ claim has enough of a motive or needs to be further elaborated. I hope to discuss these concerns in our conference along with citation practices.

Abstract:

This paper examines the Ecovillage at Ithaca and its potential localism culture as it defines the true intentions of the village and greater sustainable living community. Information regarding the village and its community are obtained from the Ecovillage at Ithaca’s website in addition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, first-person interviews were conducted to explore the Ecovillage’s regionalism ties and practices. The first step to examining the Ecovillage was to define the characteristics of the community and then compare these details to David Hess’s argument of local culture in Localist Movements in a Global Economy. Results suggest that the Ecovillage at Ithaca does explore qualities of regionalism and should not just be deemed as a relocalization network because of its economic reform initiatives. The community illustrates greater access to jobs for citizens who live in the Ecovillage and an overall focus on ensuring community members live in economically sustainable environments. The “back to earth” practices ensures Ecovillage members are able to live comfortably and affordably. Findings emphasize the need for greater environmentally sustainable communities throughout America to promote nationwide economic reform and affordable living for all. [Keywords: local movements, sustainable living, economic reform, Ecovillages, localism, globalism, localization networks.] ((Would it be helpful if I explained how this paper analyzes these key terms in the abstract or gave a quick definition of each one?))

Introduction:

The Greater Movement:

Provide more transportation choices.
Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Enhance economic competitiveness.
Support existing communities.
Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
Value communities and neighborhoods (A.)

Ithaca, New York:

Contextual Terminology

The Question

Methods:

The Archive

Calculating Definitions

A varying perspective is examined in Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge by Hess. In the paper, Hess argues “localist movements support increased local ownership of regional economies by corporate firms, franchises, and agribusiness” (D.) As a community that locally grows produce to sell, the Ecovillage illustrates many details of localist movements. Paralleled with a greater “Buy local bash” the movement is a part of a greater reform oriented practice that supports locally-owned, independent business sectors (D.) In this manner, localism favor local media, community finance and local farms-ideas parallel to principles practiced at the ecovillage at Ithaca. In many ways, the village uses its environmental tactics to examine a greater economically sustainable approach to living, further developed than just environmental concerns.

Research Method

Results:

These results illustrate a broader dynamic of the power of cohousing communities. It is within this locality practices of cohousing that there is economic reform in the Ecovillage. Together, neighbors work to produce crops for the market or reduce energy consumption in order to ensure utilities for each housing units are affordable to the community. These localism practices also promote the ideals of the Ecovillage by leaving a “clean footprint.” By living tactfully, their economic burden of national measures is reduced dramatically. This two-fold approach enables Ecovillage residents to become advocates for and promoters of the localism practices they live daily.

Discussion:

As we look to replicate localism measures cross the United States, we must examine the replicability of the Ecovillage at Ithaca. While, the potential for community development and economic reform is applicable in various places across the country, we must acknowledge that the ability to identically replicate the Ecovillage at Ithaca will be challenging. Thus localism practices may differ. However, we can use the techniques and analysis gathered from examining the Ecovillage at Ithaca to learn the benefits of creating a local community and ensuring growth to better promote the community.

Works Citied

Achieves:

A: “Livability Principals.” Partnership for Sustainable Communities. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015. Web. <https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/mission/about-us>.

B: Ecovillage at Ithaca New York. Youtube, 24 Apr. 2011. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aKhOGyjrI>.

“Living Greener.” EcoVillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>.

C: Coen, Amanda. “EcoVillage at Ithaca Offers Sustainable Living in a Community

Setting.” Inhabit. 02 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-community-setting/>.

Conversation:

D: Hess, David J.. “Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge”. Anthropological Quarterly 83.1 (2010): 153–176. Web.

Schragger, Richard C. “Anti-Chain Store Movement, Localist Ideology, and the Remnants of the Progressive Constitution, 1920-1940, The.” Iowa Law Review 90.3 (2004-2005): 1011-1094.

Mazmanian, Daniel A., and Michael E. Kraft. Toward Sustainable Communities. 2nd ed. Cambridge: MIT. Print.

O’Riordan, Timothy. Globalism, Localism, and Identity: Fresh Perspectives on the Transition to Sustainability. London, UK: Earthscan Publications, 2001. Print.

http://www.cohousing.org/2015conference

Revised Final Project Localism for Sustainability: The Ecovillage at Ithaca

Reflection:

Project 2 presented itself as an interesting challenge. At first, creating a research question seemed like a daunting task but after detailed consideration of various conceptual lenses, I was able to narrow my topic to the sustainable living movement and more specifically, the Ecovillage at Ithaca. Looking back, originally outlining the adopted IMRD layout prompted several problems. My methods section included too much contextual background that should have been in my discussion section and my citations were so minimalistic that many of my sources could be accidentally considered plagiarized. After several revisions, I limited my methods section to just describing my conceptual lens and then outlined what articles I looked at and why I used them. This allowed me to save the discussion and results background for their designated sections, resulting in a paper that had a more logical organization and argument. In addition, all of my citations now follow the MLA source formatting guidelines, properly attributing each claim and evidence to their authors. After class, the individual conferences encouraged me to explore what details I wanted in each section during the drafting stages to form a concise essay and the “project pitch” in class enabled me to think about my topic in a different way. Instead of just brainstorming ideas for an essay, I had to convey an argument that illustrated why the idea of the Ecovillage at Ithaca was important, forcing me to consider the greater impact of my paper, something many readers, including myself, occasionally lose sight of in the entire process. In the end, I believe the following essay provides an insightful glimpse of the Ecovillage at Ithaca and its overall intent as a practice of localism measures. Enjoy reading!

Abstract:

This paper examines the Ecovillage at Ithaca and its potential localism culture by analyzing the true intentions and practices of the village and greater sustainable living community. I obtained information regarding the housing complex and community area from the Ecovillage at Ithaca’s website and gathered additional statistics from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition, I watched videos on the design of the community and conducted first-person interviews to explore the Ecovillage’s regionalism ties and practices. The first step was examining the Ecovillage to define the characteristics of the community and then compare these details to David Hess’s argument on local culture and localism practices in Localist Movements in a Global Economy. My results crafted an answer to my hypothesis; the Ecovillage at Ithaca does explore qualities of regionalism and should not just be deemed as a relocalization network because of its crucial economic reform initiatives. Indeed, community involvement allows greater access to jobs for residents and an overall focus on ensuring community members live in economically sustainable environments. Most importantly, “back to earth” practices ensure Ecovillage members are able to live comfortably and affordably. Findings emphasize the need for greater environmentally sustainable communities throughout America to promote nationwide economic reform and affordable living for all. [Keywords: local movements, sustainable living, economic reform, ecovillages, localism, globalism, localization networks.]

Introduction:

In 1991, community leaders began construction on the Ecovillage at Ithaca as a small individual neighborhood in a larger connected global movement. This movement focused on building varied “communities that all had a common goal of acting as leaders in environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhoods” (Ecovillage Web). Specifically founded as a sustainable living community nestled in upstate New York, the Ecovillage currently includes 175 acres, 75 homes, and 175 residents and is continuously growing. Addressing goals from the larger sustainable living movement that developed across America at the end of the 20^th century, the Ecovillage at Ithaca exemplifies several cohousing community principals in its attempt to “maintain a positive balance between village life and living greener” (Ecovillage Web).

The Question:

This paper assesses the Ecovillage as a potential model of community involvement in both environmental sustainability and economic reform. In order to do that, I must consider the villages’ background, current operations, and future agenda to properly understand the community’s true intentions and potential localism practices and cultures. Particularly, the essay examines how the Ecovillage at Ithaca weds community involvement principles with sustainability? And how are those goals balanced with economic reform? In Localist Movements in a Globalist Economy, Vanderbilt University Professor David J Hess, seeks to distinguish environmental sustainable actions such as the Ecovillage as an example of environmentally oriented localization and not an actual model for distinctly localism practices due to its primary environmental focus. To thoroughly explore Hess’s conceptual lens, I explore the above concepts to analyze whether the Ecovillage at Ithaca exemplifies a local community that adequately addresses environmental stewardship, localism, and economic justice together. As this question requires detailed analysis, the paper draws upon scholarly arguments of localism and extends to further define the functionality and goals of ecovillages. The Ecovillage at Ithaca can serve as a potential model for ecovillages and other cohousing communities across the country and may explore how its model of sustainable community initiates potential economic growth desirable in many parts of the country.

Methods:

Conceptual Lens: Hess’s Localism:

In Localist Movements and Global Economy, Hess’s writes how localism is such a debatable concept—sparking controversies on a wide array of varying issues—that many scholars argue to the extent of localism’s true definition. While some agree that localism is a direct cultural response to globalism in recent years, others “support the basic principals of restoring local and independent ownership to the economy” and exploring localism as a movement (Hess 9). In the text, Hess describes localism as a “fifth pattern of renewed emphasis on the local in a globalized world. Localism is understood here as the movement in support of government policies and economic practices oriented towards enhancing local democracy and local ownerships of the economy in a historical context of corporate-led globalization” (7). In other words, Hess argues that political and social movements can only be deemed as examples of localism if they demonstrate both local advocacy and economic reform. In comparison, he distinguishes localism from four various forms of localization.

Relocalization Networks:

Hess’s third form of localization is directly related to environmental movements and ecovillages. Described as a “back to land” movement of the 1970’s, “ecovillages had the goal of returning to a simpler, agrarian lifestyle in order to live in greater harmony with nature and to experiment with appropriate technologies such as organic agriculture and renewable energy” (Hess 6). In an effort to promote self-sufficiency through more communal lifestyles, the Post-Carbonate Institute launched the Relocalization Network helping develop plans to promote an “energy reduced future” (Hess 6). In the text, Hess notes that “although similar to localism, the Relocalization Network is much more driven by environmental concerns and less concerned with local ownership” thus arguing environmentally sustainable cohousing communities like the Ecovillage at Ithaca are not examples of true localism practices (Hess 8). Overall, localism practices are said to focus more on local democracy and economic sovereignty than ecovillages actually do.

In Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge, Hess echoes a similar argument that economic reform must be present to identify a movement as a localism culture, continuing to exclude ecovillages as an example of localism. “Localist movements support increased local ownership of regional economies by corporate firms, franchises, and agribusiness,” Hess notes (154). For instance, localism movements like “buy local bash instill economic initiatives by supporting locally-owned independent business sectors” (Hess 156.)

In addition to economic reform, localism according to Hess illustrates democratic community ideas. In a paper written by Dr. Hilda Kurtz and Jacob Sadler, The Politics of Scale in a Wind Farm Controversy in Ashe County, North Carolina, similar democratic ideas are described as necessary when deciding whether a practice constitutes as a local measure. The report, authored by Kurtz and Sadler, illustrates a controversy over a proposed wind farm on Big Spring Mountain in Ashe County, North Carolina. Advocates of the community-based electricity highlight that the proposal was initiated because of the community’s authorization role and interaction successfully creating “flexible power systems that challenge the calculus of environmental externalities” because it places responsibility for the effects of production directly with the people affected by the system, instructing democratic involvement—a key factor of Hess’s definition of true localism (Kurtz and Sadler 235).

Materials

In order to explore whether the Ecovillage at Ithaca illustrated localism practices as defined by Hess, Kurtz, and Smith, I had to gather information on whether the village balanced its democratic sustainable initiatives with economic reform. In an effort to examine how the Ecovillage advances sustainability causes, I looked at accounts of the village organization and infrastructure. These accounts come both from the village organization at ecovillageithaca.org and from a government case study on the village. The Ecovillage at Ithaca website provided me with general information about the residents, space, and community that was easily accessible and understandable. I was also able to grasp a deeper understanding of the green initiatives organized by the ecovillage. A similar look at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website enabled me to search for answers about the greater movement the Ecovillage at Ithaca was apart of and its sustainability education proposals and practices.

In addition, to collect data the overall life and daily activities of residents living in the ecovillage at Ithaca I watched a short video, allowing me to see a 365-degree glimpse of everyday happenings. This clip permitted me to understand how the lifestyles and practices of resident living in the sustainable living community differed because of community principals than resident living other regions of Ithaca. Similarly, I reached out to Caroline Estill ’16 at Dartmouth whose relatives live at the Ecovillage at Ithaca. Living in nearby Ithaca throughout her childhood, I looked to compare her economic opportunities to her relatives situated in the cohousing community to examine the economic reform initiative presented at the Ecovillage at Ithaca.

Finally, to grasp a complete understanding of the architectural design and uniqueness created because of the community initiatives presented at the Ecovillage, I examined an article describing the ‘community setting’ on Inhabitat, an architecture design web resource. This paralleled with conversational texts illustrating sustainable communities and local governments allowed me to make sense of the functionalism and affordability of sustainable living with local regulations and principals.

Results:

After examining evidence illustrating the archive through text, video, pictures, and first-person accounts, it can be concluded that the Ecovillage at Ithaca’s cohousing sustainable living community is not just an indication of an environmental relocalization network but a true example of localism culture and practices. Through the conceptual lens of Hess, Kurtz and Smith, the Ecovillage maintains a sense of balance between its environmental responsibility and sustainability concerns with an agenda that encourages economic reform, clearly embodying Hess’s description of localism.

Sustainability Measures:

At its core level of structure, the Ecovillage at Ithaca was built to reduce citizen’s ecological footprint on the environment and encourage residents to live sustainable lifestyles. Illustrated in its motto, “the Ecovillage at Ithaca is part of a global movement of people creating positive solutions to the social, environmental, and economic crises of our planet,” the Ecovillage serves its duty to protect the environment from wasteful practices (Ecovillage Web). These environmental goals were then used to create the three neighborhoods of the ecovillage: Frog, Song, and Tree. Frog, the first neighborhood completed in 1997 “has thirty homes of different sizes that all include passive solar, 14-foot-high windows and super-insulated walls to maximize solar heating” (Ecovillage Web). Likewise, the second neighborhood, completed in 2006, “utilizes a self-development model, rather than a single architect style, enabling the layout of the neighborhood to be expanded to create a center communal area for play” (Ecovillage Web). Song homes are individually customized and energy-star certified demonstrating a wide variety of sustainable building techniques. For instance, “the large common house is central, enabling the community to gather around for meals, discussions and other daily interactions, ultimately promoting a sense of local community and policies” (Ecovillage Web). Finally, the latest neighborhood, Tree is expected to be certified as LEED Platinum encouraging sustainable living. As illustrated on the Ecovillage website, seven of the Tree homes will be qualified to the very stringent Passivhaus standard (a sustainability measure,) ultimately becoming the first Passivhaus cohousing neighborhood in the US. (Ecovillage Web).

As evident in each neighborhood, the Ecovillage utilizes sustainable living practices and practices environmental responsibility through everyday means. Between the three neighborhood units, “all homes are extremely well-insulated, with continuous fresh air ventilation supplied by Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)” (Ecovillage Web). Remarkably comfortable, “the homes are expected to use 80-90% less energy for heating and hot water than typical homes in the northeast and not any natural gas due to concerns about fracking producers” (Ecovillage Web). These utilities such as solar energy and building with recycled materials emphasize the community’s enthusiasm to use local resources and illustrate their ‘back to land’ mannerisms and larger localism practices.

Economic Initiatives:

In addition to environmental concerns, “the Ecovillage at Ithaca favors local media, community finance, and local farms-ideas stirring the economy” (Ecovillage Web). In various ways, the village uses its environmental tactics to examine a greater economically sustainable approach to living, further developed than just environmental concerns. As a part of the greater sustainable living community movement, the Ecovillage at Ithaca helps residents “gain access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment” (Ecovillage Web). In addition, ecovillages paired with The Partnership for Sustainable Communities (PSC), continuously “works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allowing people to live closer to their jobs, ultimately saving households time and money, and reducing pollution” (U.S. Sustainable Communities, Web). Through this partnership, the Partnership for Sustainable Communities seeks to incorporate six livability principles in every community to ensure effective sustainable living.

Provide more transportation choices.
Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Enhance economic competitiveness.
Support existing communities.
Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
Value communities and neighborhoods (A.)

These results illustrate a broader dynamic of the power of cohousing communities. It is within this locality practices of cohousing that there is economic reform in the Ecovillage. Together, neighbors work to produce crops for the market or reduce energy consumption in order to ensure utilities for each housing units are affordable to the community. By living tactfully, the economic burden is also reduced dramatically. This two-fold approach enables Ecovillage residents to become advocates for and promoters of the localism practices they live daily.

Greater Community Body:

Aided by technology, social media, and an urgency to reconnect with the Earth, the Ecovillage has shaped a “community of people living mainstream lives in a sustainable way” (Ecovillage Web). As a developing neighborhood, Ecovillage at Ithaca now includes “farms, gardens, housing structures, community spaces, and vibrant people who share enthusiasm for lessening their impact on the Earth’s ecological footprint and living together” (Ecovillage Web). Similar to Kurtz and Smith’s research on space dependence in community living, the village supports a collaborative neighborhood environment balanced with its economic initiatives. Originally built during the first wave of cohousing communities in America, the Ecovillage has maintained its sense of localism as it balances environmental advocacy and economic reform. As a practice of localism and not just a localization tactic, the Ecovillage at Ithaca directly opposes Hess’s argument of ecovillages and their limited environmental concern.

Discussion:

Examining the ways in which the Ecovillage at Ithaca have attempted to advocate for economic reform suggest that the Ecovillage’s efforts extend further than just reducing ecological impacts. In varying perspectives, the Ecovillage has embodied the definition of localism through Hess’s rhetoric, allowing us to change the way we perceive other environmentally sustainable cohousing communities. No longer are sustainable communities just passive players in economic reform but instead promote local labor advocacy for residents through their community ties.

Identifying the Ecovillage at Ithaca as a method of localism offers insight into the greater practices of sustainable living. Additionally, it illustrates how environmental concerns can be utilized as an effective method to boost economic growth in community based environments. The research examined in the paper allows us to examine how sustainability encourages greater solutions impactful outside of environmental concerns. This knowledge will allow us predict additional potential economic growth as other cohousing communities are built across the country.

As we look to replicate localism measures cross the United States, we must understand the difficulties in replicating the Ecovillage at Ithaca in other locations. While, the potential for community development and economic reform is applicable in various places across the country, localism practices may differ. Yet overall, we can still use the techniques and analysis collected from examining the Ecovillage at Ithaca to learn the benefits of creating local neighborhoods that efficiently and effectively promote a better community for residents.

Works Citied

Achieves:

Coen, Amanda. “EcoVillage at Ithaca Offers Sustainable Living in a Community

Setting.” Inhabit. 02 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://inhabitat.com/ecovillage-at-ithaca-offers-sustainable-living-in-a-community-setting/>.

Ecovillage at Ithaca New York. Youtube, 24 Apr. 2011. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-aKhOGyjrI>.

“Living Greener.” EcoVillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>.

“Livability Principals.” Partnership for Sustainable Communities. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2015. Web. <https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/mission/about-us>.

Welcome to Ecovillage Ithaca. Web. <http://ecovillageithaca.org/learn-at-ecovillage-ithaca/about-learn/>. Ecovillage database, published by sustainable living community organization

Conversation:

Hess, David J.. “Declarations of Independents: On Local Knowledge and Localist Knowledge”. Anthropological Quarterly 83.1 (2010): 153–176. Web.

Mazmanian, David A., and Michael E. Kraft. Toward Sustainable Communitities. 2^nd ed. Cambridge: MIT. Print.

O’Riordan, Timothy. Globalism, Localism, and Identity: Fresh Perspectives on the Transition to Sustainability. London, UK: Earthscan Publications, 2001. Print.

Schragger, Richard C. “Anti-Chain Store Movement, Localist Ideology, and the Remnants of the Progressive Constitution, 1920-1940, The.” Iowa Law Review 90.3 (2004-2005): 1011-1094.

Smith, C. M., & Kurtz, H. E. (2003). COMMUNITY GARDENS AND POLITICS OF SCALE IN NEW YORK CITY*. Geographical Review, 93(2), 193-212.

Postmortem Reflection

Interesting Project-IMRAD style with literature lens. Significant and an effective way to communicate prose.

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