Difference between revisions of "Edinburgh co-operative thoughts"

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'''''update''''': this page is badly in need of updating and reformatting.
 
'''''update''''': this page is badly in need of updating and reformatting.
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== The Site ==
 
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On the edge of Edinburgh, preferably close to cycle links, with a river through it, and large enough for an small/medium sized organic farm and hopefully some woodlands and space for various social areas.
 
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=== Spaces & layout ===
 
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There would be separate housing, work and play spaces. Some living areas would be away from the social centre, some nearer it, possibly interconnected to keep potentially loud-at-times noise flow between the two from getting to others (sound insulation between abodes would also be smart).
 
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Inspiration; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanst%C3%A8re Phalanstère], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_condenser Social condenser], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_design Sustainable design]
 
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I like the idea of a snowflake-cum-spidersweb topology, with branching arms with hubs and sub hubs of 'spaces' between, with various 'districts' around and merging with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_centre social centre] complex.
 
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=== Buildings ===
 
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building Green building] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_architecture sustainable architecture] techniques would be used, with possibilities including;
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw-bale_construction Straw-bale construction] (and other natural/recycled insulators)
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design Passive solar]
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting Daylighting]
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_chimney Solar chimneys]
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-coupled_heat_exchanger Ground-coupled heat exchange] (?)
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_building Natural building] [http://naturalhomes.org/]
 
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compost_toilet Compost toilets]?
 
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* No [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement#Environmental_and_social_impacts cement]? Ecological alternative?
 
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Each building would include stairs and ramp access to all levels for accessibility.
 
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* [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/bill-lishmans-underground-dome-home.php Bill Lishmans underground dome home]
 
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=== Housing ===
 
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There would be a variety of housing options available, managed by an overarching [http://www.catalystcollective.co.uk/housing.html housing co-operative] group. Residential units would be arranged manner inviting social interactions between neighbours. Roof-top gardens well placed to catch sun. Allotments for all houses.
 
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Various kind of housing arrangements could be good, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohousing cohousing], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commune_(intentional_community) commune]s and individual abodes.
 
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=== Social ===
 
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A community and social centre space would exist for residents, volunteers and visitors to congregate in for a variety of functions. There would be multiple facilities for use by the individuals and groups involved, from the running of the spaces to communal support, education, art, craft, DIY and [http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/hackerspaces.html tech]) workshop/skillshare areas. Chillout and event areas would be nice also.
 
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Inspirations; [http://theforest.org.uk The Forest] (Edinburgh), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_Research_Laboratories Survival Research Laboratories], [http://eyebeam.org/ Eyebeam]
 
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=== Farm ===
 
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There would be an organic farming area and multiple greenhouses. Veg, fruit and herbs would be produced for the housing cooperative and café, plus produce could be sold also? Design ideas from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture#Permaculture_design_for_ecologinomic_.28ecology-economic.29_ethics permaculture] would be included. Rain water collection. Site wide composting and recycling scheme. Possible [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWOOF WWOOF] connections? Potential for a managed woodland area depending on the size of land we end up with?
 
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Inspirations; [http://www.wwoof.org.uk/ WWOOF UK] [http://www.wwoof.org.uk/civicrm/profile?_qf_Search_display=true&qfKey=4ceef501661bb61769a0949b5d24e59c], [http://www.gifteconomy.org.au/page30.html Permaculture and Sustainable Agriculture], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_gardens Community gardens], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_agriculture Urban agriculture], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_gardens Kitchen gardens]
 
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=== Work ===
 
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Office and workshop spaces would be available for hire by resident and local entrepreneurs wishing to run a [http://www.ica.coop/al-ica/ cooperative business]. A market style arrangement for some with access for the public, with shared and private spaces also on offer.
 
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Inspirations; [http://www.work.change.coop/ Work for Change] (Manchester), [http://www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk/ The Melting Pot] (Edinburgh), [http://edinburghscreenworks.co.uk/ Edinburgh Screenworks]
 
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=== Play ===
 
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There would be a communal space linked to the social hub for events such as gigs, parties and festivals, both inside and out, though this would be located as is conveniently far enough away or sheltered from the residential spaces to avoid disturbances.
 
  
 
== Funding ==
 
== Funding ==

Revision as of 10:17, 31 May 2013

Introduction

I'm interested in the possibility of getting together with like minded individuals and setting up an Edinburgh housing and worker co-operative group with a view to buying some land and using low-cost and sustainable building techniques to create somewhere fantastic to live, work and play.

The project will aim to incorporate and facilitate many examples of best practice in the field of social ecology. My main inspiration is the Homes for Change and Work for Change schemes in Hulme, Manchester, along with many other varied built environment projects, linked to below.

This project is in the pre-alpha/pipedream stage, thought I've created a group on riseup.net for interested parties to communicate - https://we.riseup.net/edinecocoop

update: this page is badly in need of updating and reformatting.

Funding

Various possibilities for this. Grants and loans are also available from certain organisations.

  • Low Carbon Building Programme - "The Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) is a Government programme in the United Kingdom administered by BERR (formerly the DTI). It offers grants towards the cost of installing domestic microgeneration technologies and larger scale distributed generation installations for public buildings and businesses, provided energy conservation standards are also met."

A Vague Roadmap

  • Work on research for everything
  • Gather like minded individuals
  • Formulate group ideas on everything
  • Legalities, logistics and other organisation
  • Grants, fundraising, etc?
  • Barn raising?

Also related

See also

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