Paper Short Abstract:

In my presentation, I will show how ecovillage residents reinterpret and reimagine the landscape in which they live. Ecovillages are community-based, socially critical, environmentally embedded, decentralised and relatively self-sufficient forms of rural life. Ecovillagers aim to operate an autonomous settlement causing as little damage as possible to the natural environment. These settlements are homes for not only humans but more-than-humans, too. One of the main elements in the ecovillage concept is space and localisation. Ecovillages raise many questions about space, place and identity: what motivates the ecovillage dwellers to change location and what critical elements are there? Do they experience real bonding with the new place? Do they belong to that particular land, the settlement, or rather than the ideology? What spatial practices characterise this type of settling down and how does the given ecovillage become a meaningful place and home for individuals? This presentation looks for answers in a Hungarian rural eco-community.

Paper Abstract:

In my presentation, I will show how ecovillage residents reinterpret and reimagine the landscape in which they live.

Ecovillages are community-based, socially critical, environmentally embedded, decentralised and relatively self-sufficient forms of rural life. Ecovillagers aim to operate an autonomous settlement causing as little damage as possible to the natural environment. These settlements are homes for not only humans but more-than-humans, too.

One of the main elements in the ecovillage concept is space and localisation. Ecovillages raise many questions about space, place and identity: what motivates the ecovillage dwellers to change location and what critical elements are there? Do they experience real bonding with the new place? Do they belong to that particular land, the settlement, or rather than the ideology? What spatial practices characterise this type of settling down and how does the given ecovillage become a meaningful place and home for individuals? This presentation looks for answers in a Hungarian rural eco-community.