Cars in Cohousing or Ecovillages
 Diminished Role of the Automobile

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The survey is a research tool that is compiled, then guides us in: 
1. Planning meeting locations.
2. Seeking land for future ecovillages.
3. Knowing what people seek in their own personal lives and ideal communities.

It also adds you to our mailing list for information regarding ecovillage/cohousing in the DFW area and invitations to our meetings.

Please fill out the survey here. It is quickly done. Thank you.

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James Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency, writes, "More than 80 percent of everything ever built in America was built after World War II, and most of it was designed solely to be used in connection with cars."

People in an ecovillage or cohousing community use pedestrian walkways to travel around the community. Cars are left at the perimeter of the property although most properties have enclosed garages or covered parking.

Why?

1. The suburban practice of pulling into a garage or driveway after work, entering the home, and staying there until time for work the next morning encourages isolation. 

2. Traveling around the community on pedestrian walkways allows neighbors to meet and communicate on a daily basis. 

3. Children are safer, not only from cars but because neighbors see them and watch out for their safety. A toddler can scoot around on a tricycle and an older child can learn to ride a bicycle in a safe environment. 

4. Benches and shaded areas along the walkways encourage a more relaxed and friendly lifestyle for adults and children.

5. Attached garages are a health hazard. They allow the car to emit heat and toxic gases into the home. Think of how your car smells when you open the door after driving and how long your car emits heat after stopping. 

6. The space normally used for streets and driveways is used for community resources or left as open spaces.

7. Cohousing communities are small (compared to subdivisions) so there is not a great distance to cars from any one home.

8. Homeowners who feel they need to be near their car for some reason can choose a location near the parking facilities. 

9. Parking area can also contain an area for making minor repairs on cars. This is preferable to owners making repairs in a suburban driveway and it allows ecovillage residents to share know-how and tools.

10. Many cohousing communities have storage facilities in the parking area for wagons or other rolling equipment. This equipment is used for transporting groceries or other items to the individual home or common house. 

Vehicles can access the wide pedestrian walkways in an emergency or for extra-large items to be delivered.

With cohousing choices, we can reduce our dependence on the car by the locations we choose, the fact that the car is left at the edge of the property, and through sharing rides and even vehicles. For example--how many times do you really need a gas-guzzling pickup truck? One shared truck for many families should be sufficient. 

By locating near public transportation, many families will find they can live with one car. By locating near shopping facilities, families can walk or bike for some errands. By having entertainment, office equipment, book and video sharing, food co-ops, and other services located in the ecovillage area, it is possible to stay home more often while enjoying a  community of friends.

Please share your ideas by filling out a quick form here. 

Thank you for your help.

Questions? Please come to our next introductory meeting. In the meantime, call metro 972 251-1532 for answers. 

Next Ecovillage Meetings

General information about meetings here and here

Please call 972 251-1532 or 817 545-0140 for locations.

Please fill out the short survey here for an invitation to speaker/special meetings. Thank you.

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