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?

Also related

See also

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