Amidst the threat of global environmental crisis and cultural(religious) and political (ideological) pollution, the challenge of this century is how to live and develop sustainably – in harmony with nature, to foster community and a good quality of life. The developer’s vision was to “inspire sustainable community living and development practice awareness” by creating a residential community or modifying a existing village that exemplifies World’s Best Practice in Ecologically Sustainable Development using locally available food, building materials and organic farming techniques. The project comprises a diversity of landscapes and living opportunities and provides for a group of high benchmark sustainable homes on land sizes ranging from 0.25 to 5 acres. The project is being coordinated by Rural Development Society (RDS), Quest Scientific Research, and local SHGs. The Ecovillage at CASC Living achieves:
Self-sufficiency in energy usage and complete autonomy in water and waste water recycling.
80% of site as open-space, 50% environmental reserve, and the same yield as standard development
Food and material self-sufficiency through edible landscaping and streetscaping, household farming and other productive strategies
Preservation of natural landforms and rehabilitation of the degraded site’s environmental integrity
Extensive wildlife corridors, negligible vegetation loss and extensive native plant regeneration
Cutting edge integrated water quality measures to exemplify Water Sensitive Urban Design
Production and use of traditional clothing (handloom), footwear etc. in our art and craft centre
Cultural Heritage honoured and integrated
Mix of socially-oriented innovative ecological, energy efficient housing catering for diverse needs
On-site work strategies and facilities for village and local community
Waste recycling strategies including an innovative recycling centre
Comprehensive traffic saving strategies to reduce vehicle impacts on and off site (Use of Solar powered bus)
Well researched administrative framework providing social equity & enduring community integrity
Initial and ongoing social planning to foster cohesion and promote sustainable community
Continuing education of sustainable living and development practices via the Interpretive Centre
Skill training for rural youth on technical skills, management skills (empowering rural youth especially women)
Counselling individual and farmers to overcome crisis situation like drought, financial crisis etc.
Empowering every individual of the community by providing management skill training (strategic management, crisis management etc.)
A matured environment of cultural, religious, ideological and gender tolerance thus creating a harmonious environment
Sustainable economic performance both with the development and the ongoing community.
Health club, which include Meditation and physical exercise. Groups for members interested in walking, Jogging, Cycling, etc.
Retirement living facility for those who enjoy and accept the principles of sustainable community living.
Child Care facility for the working parents, providing good quality organic food and safe cultural environment for the kids.
The innovative project design has followed a collaborative approach with an extensive and unprecedented Community Consultation program yielding strong design input from indigenous groups, residents, stakeholder groups, referral agencies and the general public. An Interpretive Centre (Food stall and Art and craft centre), publicly showcases the project’s innovative subdivision design. The Ecovillage is a RDS Energywise and Waterwise Demonstration Project and involves significant partnership with community universities, industry and various tiers of government. T The product of several years of thought process, research and design, the developers established a benchmark standard for sustainable residential development, with environmental, social and economic sustainability as its driving principles.