An investigation in the sustainable economic practices of ecovillages

Authors

Oriana Price, University of WollongongFollow
Mary Johnsson, University of Wollongong
Emma Heffernan, University of WollongongFollow
Belinda Gibbons, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

140604

Publication Details

Price, O., Johnsson, M., Heffernan, E. & Gibbons, B. (2019). An investigation in the sustainable economic practices of ecovillages. Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong.

Abstract

Ecovillages represent an alternative yet innovative form of residential living that prioritises community and sustainability. However, prior worldwide research suggests that 90% of ecovillages fail to sustain as living communities. This 2019 report represents Phase 2 of a small project investigating practices within one Australian ecovillage. The original focus was on what kinds of economic practices can help to sustain ecovillage viability. The findings that emerged suggest that an integrated learning approach that considers sociocultural, ecological and economic factors might develop a more durable approach to practising and ‘living’ sustainability.