Edinburgh co-operative thoughts

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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;

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.

Power

The site would be a zero-energy development and use microgeneration of electricity through solar, wind or hydro power.

Wind

DIY VAWTs? are there DIY designs, non-patent encumbered, for later VAWT styles that overcome pulsatory torque issues?

Solar

Hydro

Arguably the most consistent form of microgeneration, if you have a river or stream handy that is..

Storage & grid

Other

  • Renewable Energy UK - "up to date information about alternative energy generation. ... main focus is on wind power and solar power for the home"
  • Altenergy - "DIY Alternative Energy Projects"
  • DIY Solar Guide - "esource for Solar Energy products, information, and do-it-yourself guides"
  • Edinburgh Community Energy Co-operative Ltd was formed at the end of 2007 with the support of Co-operative Development Scotland. It is a non-profit, member owned organisation, which was set up to give Edinburgh residents a vehicle to promote and develop renewable and low-carbon energy in the city.
  • blog.cat.org.uk "This week, Jase Kuriakose an engineer at CAT turned on the UK’s first totally renewable micro grid. The systems works by combining all the wind, solar, bio mass and hydro energy we produce at CAT and storing it in a battery bank. When it needs more energy it simply connects to the grid through an intelligent electronic control device to take more, when we are producing too much it gives the energy to the national grid."

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?

Related

Here are some other existing projects to draw inspiration from.

Housing

  • Homes for Change - a quick overview of the co-operative (.pdf)
    • "Homes for Change [in Hulme, Manchester] is a Housing co-operative whose intention is to provide low cost social housing to a diverse range of people in the community. The way Homes for change keeps it's rents low is by managing and running the building themselves. more
    • "The buildings comprise an introverted block with almost all activity at the back, and while the streets outside are consequently quieter than might be desirable, public spaces inside the block are relaxed since tenants are known to each other and an informal surveillance operates, as specified in the brief. This works well without creating a fortress mentality, resulting in a comfortable but vibrant public area, and inside the block the sense of community is visible in residents' extensive use of the joint outdoor spaces. Recesses in the building fronts create opportunities to personalise the interfaces between shared and private areas, and Phase One is now well lived in with personal ornamentation, gardens, furniture, flower pots, play equipment, seats on balconies and access decks, toys for children and well tended small private and shared gardens in courtyards.
    • The success of Homes for Change lies partly in the fact that the residents all opted for this life-style through joining a co-operative, but the designers also took care that private outdoor space is available for most units and direct access to front doors is also critically well designed.
  • "The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED, in Sutton, Surrey) is the UK’s first and largest carbon neutral eco-community. It is a mixed-use, mixed-tenure development that incorporates innovative approaches to energy conservation and environmental sustainability. The BedZED design concept was driven by the desire to create a net 'zero fossil energy development', one that will produce at least as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes." Wikipedia article.
  • Ecovillage Findhorn - "The Findhorn ecovillage is a synthesis of the very best of current thinking on sustainable human settlements. It is a constantly evolving model providing solutions to human and social needs, while at the same time working in partnership with the environment to offer an enhanced quality of life for all.
    • "The Ecovillage Project has developed a unique construction system, environmentally sound and energy efficient. Using natural and non-toxic materials we have developed a breathing wall structure, which allows the fabric of a building to interact beneficially with people to moderate humidity and air quality. We have also experimented with straw bale construction, the Earthship system using recycled car tyres, and remain open to further new and innovative ecological solutions for the built environment." Wikipedia article.
  • "Twin Oaks is an intentional community in rural central Virginia, made up of around 85 adult members and 15 children. Since the community's beginning in 1967, our way of life has reflected our values of cooperation, sharing, non-violence, equality, and ecology." Wikipedia article.
  • "The Hockerton Housing Project is the UK's first earth sheltered, self-sufficient ecological housing development. Project members live a holistic way of life in harmony with the environment, in which all ecological impacts have been considered and accounted for. The residents of the five houses generate their own clean energy, harvest their own water and recycle waste materials causing no pollution or carbon dioxide emissions. The houses are amongst the most energy efficient, purpose built dwellings in Europe."
  • "Sustainable Communities Initiatives (SCI), an educational charity set up in August 2000 to demonstrate, inspire and support initiatives that build community through waste and don't rely on fossil fuel energy. ... It is the aim of Sustainable Communities Initiatives to demonstrate the Earthship's performance in the Scottish climate, as well as the costs involved and the best route through planning and building control."
  • Sprouts Housing Cooperative - "We are a group of people committed to creating a radical housing cooperative in [Edinburgh], so that we can escape the landlord system which makes us poor and angry."
  • London Fields Solutions [3] : we bought two streets in Hackney (28 properties) and turned it into as a housing co-op housing 58 people. Long term squatters put together a regeneration plan and got loans from various agencies to purchase the properties and put them back together. Rebuilt with ecological and community considerations in urban London. Hard work for sure but it can be done. Still going strong.

Working

  • "Work for Change is a co-operative made up of tenants of the workspace at 41 Old Birley Street, Hulme. It is a company limited by guarantee, with co-operative rules. Work for Change rents space on flexible terms to local, ethical, and cultural businesses. The company aims to create a supportive atmosphere for small businesses to succeed, welcoming both existing and new start businesses. There are offices of a range of sizes, artists areas, workshops and a cafe, as well as a small theatre (The YARD). We are currently developing a second phase of 13 small units and would like to hear from anyone interested in moving in to these.
    • "The workspace was designed by the businesses involved at that time, many of which are still tenants. Some people choose to live and work in the building, while others are involved in only one of the co-operatives. Most people in Work for Change live in the Hulme area and the building remains one of the most important community led initiatives in the country."
  • "URBED (Urbanism, Environment and Design) does what our name suggests ­ we specialise in urban design and sustainability in an urban context. ... an employee-owned co-operative, we now have 16 staff and associates, comprising planners and architects together with a sustainability expert and highway engineer. ... We believe in the importance of creating and sustaining lively, prosperous towns and cities by focusing new development within existing settlements and creating attractive, mixed-use, walkable and socially mixed urban neighbourhoods.
    • URBED grew out of the redevelopment of Hulme and the Homes for Change Housing Co-operative. A belief in the importance of communities informs all of our work. ... Since 1996 we have been running the SUN (Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood) Initiative, exploring how the principles of environmental sustainability can be applied to urban areas."
  • "The Graphics Company is a workers' co-op. One of the good things about this is that you're always talking to the boss! You're always dealing with someone who cares a lot about your project. This is one of the reasons why many of our clients stay with us for years, here are some more... ... The Graphics Company promotes the use of environmentally-friendly materials and ethical working practices. We also take an ethical approach to our own business that is embodied in our constitution."

Networks, etc

  • "GEN-Europe is the European ecovillage association promoting environmental protection and restoration of nature through the concept of ecovillages as models for sustainable human settlements. We actively support the development of ecovillages and networks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. GEN-Europe is a membership organisation founded in 1996 and is open to a wide range of projects regardless of their political, religious or cultural backgrounds."
  • "Radical Routes is a network of radical co-ops whose members are committed to working for positive social change. The network is made up mainly of housing co-ops of various sizes (but none have more than 15 members), a few workers co-ops and a couple of social centres." Also worth checking is their quick guide to setting up a housing co-operative (pdf).
  • "CETS (Co-operative Education Trust Scotland) is a new independent not-for-profit charitable education trust. It has the backing of every sector of the Co-operative movement in Scotland, from the large retail co-ops, through to agricultural co-ops, credit unions, housing co-ops, workers co-ops, etc. CETS also promotes all forms of social enterprise.

Other groups, projects & info

  • "BioRegional Development Group is an entrepreneurial, independent environmental organisation. We develop award winning, commercially viable products and services which meet more of our everyday needs from local renewable and waste resources, to help enable One Planet living – living within our fair share of the Earth’s resources."
  • ZEDfactory "As leaders in the field of zero-carbon design and development, we have a unique track record of delivering Zero (fossil) Energy Development (ZED) buildings in the UK"
  • "The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. Here designers of all persuasions can: Share their ideas, designs and plans, View and review designs posted by others, Collaborate with each other, people in other professions and community leaders to address specific design challenges, Manage design projects from concept to implementation, Communicate easily amongst team members, Protect their intellectual property rights using the Creative Commons "some rights reserved" licensing system and be shielded from unwarranted liability, Build a more sustainable future."
  • "Earthship Biotecture is a global company offering proven, totally sustainable design and construction services worldwide.
  • Centre for Alternative Technology - Leading by example, we aim to show that living more sustainably is not only easy to attain but can provide a better quality of life."
  • "The Low Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 2001 to set up, manage and promote environmental projects. Our main objective is tackling climate change through highlighting the connection between buildings and the carbon emissions their use produces. We do this by running innovative low-carbon construction projects, and training, outreach and education workshops."
  • Green Building Press "We publish green building information in many mediums to help you to design and build sustainable, healthy and ecological homes offices and factories."
  • "Lammas is currently applying for planning permission to build an ecovillage in Wales which combines the traditional smallholding model with the latest innovations in environmental design, green technology and permaculture. The proposal is for a new settlement of 9 eco-smallholdings, a campsite and a community hub building. It will be sited on 76 acres of mixed pasture and woodland next to the village of Glandwr, Pembrokeshire. Construction is planned to start in the autumn of 2009."

Also related

See also

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