Intentional Living
Exploring the diverse architectures of shared life, from historical communes to modern ecovillages.
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Defining Intentional Communities
A Planned Residential Design
An intentional community represents a deliberate design for residential living, characterized by a high degree of social cohesion and collaborative effort among its members. These communities are founded upon a shared visionโoften social, political, religious, or spiritualโwhich guides their members in pursuing an alternative lifestyle.
Shared Responsibilities and Resources
The core tenets of intentional communities typically involve the sharing of responsibilities and resources. This collective approach manifests in various forms, including collective households, co-housing arrangements, co-living spaces, ecovillages, monastic orders, communes, and housing cooperatives.
Global Diversity
The concept of intentional communities spans the globe, encompassing a wide array of organizational structures and philosophical underpinnings. From the historical kibbutzim of Israel to the modern ecovillages in Europe and North America, these communities offer unique models for human settlement and social organization.
Classifications of Intentional Communities
Residential Models
Intentional communities can be broadly categorized by their residential and organizational structures:
- Collective Households: Shared living spaces with communal decision-making.
- Co-housing: Private homes clustered around shared facilities, with resident-led governance.
- Co-living: Modern arrangements often focused on shared amenities and social interaction, typically in urban settings.
- Ecovillages: Communities focused on ecological sustainability and social harmony.
- Monasteries: Religious communities dedicated to spiritual practice and communal life.
- Communes: Often characterized by shared ownership of property and resources.
- Survivalist Retreats: Communities preparing for potential societal disruptions.
- Kibbutzim: Historically, communal settlements in Israel with shared property and communal living.
- Ashrams: Spiritual communities, often associated with yoga and meditation practices.
- Housing Cooperatives: Resident-owned and democratically controlled housing.
Underlying Visions
The driving force behind an intentional community is often a shared vision or ideology. These can include:
- Social and Political Ideals: Such as anarchism, socialism, or specific political movements.
- Religious or Spiritual Beliefs: Adherence to particular faiths or spiritual paths.
- Environmental Sustainability: A commitment to ecological principles and practices.
- Personal Growth and Well-being: Focus on self-improvement and mutual support.
Intentional Communities in Africa
Awra Amba, Ethiopia
Located in the Amhara Region, Awra Amba is noted as an anarcho-feminist community. While its existence is documented, sources suggest a need for further verification regarding its current status and nature.
Orania, South Africa
Situated near Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Orania is a community established with a specific cultural and political vision, aiming to preserve Afrikaner culture and language.
Intentional Communities in Asia & Oceania
Australia
Australia hosts several intentional communities, reflecting diverse approaches to communal living:
- Gondwana Sanctuary (Byron Bay, New South Wales)
- House of Freedom (Brisbane, Queensland)
- House of the Gentle Bunyip (Melbourne, Victoria)
- House of the New World (Sydney, New South Wales)
- Moora Moora (near Healesville, Victoria)
- Rocky Cape Christian Community (Tasmania)
India
Auroville in Tamil Nadu is a prominent example, an experimental township aiming for human unity and sustainable living, inspired by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Israel
Israel is known for its Kibbutzim, a unique form of communal settlement. Notable examples include:
- Kibbutz Ketura
- Neve Shalom (near Jerusalem), a community founded on Jewish-Arab coexistence.
Japan
Japan has communities such as:
- Atarashiki-mura
- Owa Hutterite Colony
New Zealand
New Zealand has a history of intentional communities, including:
- Centrepoint (founded 1977)
- Gloriavale Christian Community (c. 1990s)
- Maungapohatu (founded 1907)
- Ohu communities (c. 1974โ2000)
- Parihaka (c. 1866)
- Rฤtana Pฤ (c. 1920s)
- Riverside Community (founded 1941)
Syria
Jinwar, founded in 2016, is a women's village focused on establishing a progressive, self-governing enclave.
Intentional Communities in Europe
France
Notable French communities include:
- Community of the Ark (La Borie Noble)
- Jansiac
- Longo Maรฏ (Limans, 1973โpresent)
- Taizรฉ Community (Taizรฉ)
Denmark
Danish communities include:
- Det Nรธdvendige Seminarium (DNS)
- Freetown Christiania (Copenhagen)
- Friland (2002โpresent)
- Svanholm
- Dyssekilde eco-community (based on Martinus' philosophy, 1987โpresent)
Italy
Italian communities include:
- Federation of Damanhur (Piedmont)
- Nomadelfia
Germany
German communities include:
- Bruderhof Communities (originating in Germany)
- Kommune Niederkaufungen
- ZEGG
- Mittendrin Leben eG
Greece
Greek communities include:
- Eutopia project (community)
- Free and Real
Montenegro
Montelibero is noted as a libertarian community.
Portugal
Portuguese communities include:
- Ecoaldea Vegetariana Espiral (Cabeceiras de Basto)
- Tamera
Russia
The Life and Labor Commune (1921โ1939) is a historical example.
Spain
Spanish communities include:
- Lakabe
- FAMILIAFELIZ (Cervera del Maestre)
- Global Tribe (Andalucia)
- Resonancia Community (Alpujarra, Granada)
Sweden
รngsbacka is a notable Swedish community.
United Kingdom
The UK has a rich history of intentional communities:
- Bruderhof Communities (Robertsbridge, East Sussex; Peckham, London)
- Braziers Park (South Oxfordshire)
- Brithdir Mawr (Pembrokeshire, Wales)
- Chemin Neuf Community and Community of Saint Anselm (Canterbury)
- Dial House (Essex, 1970โpresent)
- Findhorn (Scotland)
- Frestonia (London, 1970sโ1982)
- New Creation Christian Community (closed)
- Tinker's Bubble (England)
- Rubha Phoil (Scotland)
- Stapleton Colony (England, 1921โpresent)
- Whiteway Colony
Intentional Communities in North America
Canada
Canadian communities include:
- Community Farm of the Brethren (Bright, Ontario)
- Fort Pitt Farms Christian Community (Saskatchewan)
- Hutterite colonies (Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan)
- Middle Road Community (Nelson, BC)
- New Oasis for Life Commune (BC)
- Orthodox Mennonites (groups in Ontario, Manitoba)
- Poole's Land (Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC)
- Treehouse Village Ecohousing (Bridgewater, Nova Scotia)
- Whole Village (Alton, Ontario)
- Yarrow Ecovillage (Chilliwack, British Columbia)
United States
The United States has a vast array of intentional communities, categorized regionally:
Intentional Communities in Latin America
Brazil
Cecรญlia Colony is a notable historical example.
Colombia
Gaviotas is a well-known community focused on sustainability and social innovation.
Mexico
The Credit Foncier Company at Topolobampo (1886โ1900) was an early attempt at a planned community.
Related Concepts
Related Topics
The study of intentional communities intersects with various related concepts and movements:
- Cohousing
- Communities Directory
- Cooperatives
- Ecovillage
- Egalitarian Communities
- Intentional community (general concept)
- List of American utopian communities
- New Age communities
- Utopia
- Utopian socialism
External Resources
Further exploration can be guided by these resources:
- Foundation for Intentional Community database
- Links to Christian Intentional Communities
- Diggers & Dreamers UK Directory
- Gondwana Sanctuary
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an AI model for educational and informational purposes, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the provided source, it is intended as an academic overview and not as a definitive guide or endorsement.
This is not professional advice. The information presented herein should not be construed as advice for joining, establishing, or evaluating intentional communities. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research and consult primary sources and relevant experts for any practical application or decision-making related to communal living.
The creators of this content are not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information. The dynamic nature of intentional communities means that details such as founding dates, current status, and specific practices may evolve.