Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: ecovillage vs cohousing distinctions

[Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah (welcome]

On Feb 8, 2010, Sharon V wrote:
> I think most ecovillages do function like cohousing but with a
> stronger moral imperative to be as green as possible. This may include
> growing their own food, composting toilets, etc.
This says it for me. RoseWind Cohousing in Port Townsend WA is  
literally across the street from the PT EcoVillage, so no distinction  
in location here. In comparing our built cohousing community with the  
ecovillage-in-planning, the projected EV has more land in agriculture,  
more references in vision and guidance documents to sustainability- 
permaculture-environmental-impact and various social-justice  
factors.They have requirements limiting house size, green building  
standards, and generally somewhat more communality.

Our cohousing includes many people for whom similar values are  
important, but it isn't as much a requirement, and the overall degree  
of commitment to such is less. You'll find electric cars, beehives,  
worm bins and vegetable crops on both sides of the street. However,  
there is more space in the cohousing for less-alternative types as well.

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
www.rosewind.org   where you'll find info on two resales here, one  
quite 'EcoVillage' in small size and simplicity, and another a more- 
typical cohousing "regular" house (though with solar panels).