Edinburgh co-operative thoughts
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.
Some Basic Ideas
The co-operative would have the setup of a small ecovillage located within a suburban/rural-urban fringe area of Edinburgh (possibly further out?), close to bus/cycle routes. The organisation as a whole would be run using a horizontal working group system (defined by a constitution) using consensus decision-making methods.
The Site
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.
Spaces & layout
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).
Inspiration; Phalanstère, Social condenser, Sustainable design
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 social centre complex.
Buildings
Green building and sustainable architecture techniques would be used, with possibilities including;
- Straw-bale construction (and other natural/recycled insulators)
- Passive solar
- Daylighting
- Solar chimneys
- Ground-coupled heat exchange (?)
- Natural building [1]
- Compost toilets?
- No cement? Ecological alternative?
Each building would include stairs and ramp access to all levels for accessibility.
Housing
There would be a variety of housing options available, managed by an overarching 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.
Various kind of housing arrangements could be good, including cohousing, communes and individual abodes.
Social
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 tech) workshop/skillshare areas. Chillout and event areas would be nice also.
Inspirations; The Forest (Edinburgh), Survival Research Laboratories, Eyebeam
Farm
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 permaculture would be included. Rain water collection. Site wide composting and recycling scheme. Possible WWOOF connections? Potential for a managed woodland area depending on the size of land we end up with?
Inspirations; WWOOF UK [2], Permaculture and Sustainable Agriculture, Community gardens, Urban agriculture, Kitchen gardens
Work
Office and workshop spaces would be available for hire by resident and local entrepreneurs wishing to run a cooperative business. A market style arrangement for some with access for the public, with shared and private spaces also on offer.
Inspirations; Work for Change (Manchester), The Melting Pot (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Screenworks
Play
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
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."
- Scottish Enterprise? rootstock? Arts groups for arts areas (gallery, theatre, etc)?
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?