One of the first major conflicts to arise cut to the core of the community's values. Some members pushed for immediate subsidized housing for new members who had nothing to invest. Others, understanding that the EcoVillage "had no money to subsidize anyone," advocated an approach that would cater to middle-class Americans (Walker 57). The rift caused many of the "idealistic" members of the community to leave almost as soon as the EcoVillage had been started (Walker 57). Conflicts over money as well as lifestyle issues are not uncommon at the EcoVillage, Walker admits.
Other conflicts include the perpetual push to participate in social activities vs. The need for solitude. Walker claims that talking openly is the key to resolving conflicts before they become problems. "Learning to deal effectively with conflict is the hardest part of living in a community," (Walker 83). Community members need to set personal boundaries and be as upfront as possible.
Cohousing has significant advantages over living in typical North American communities. The advantages include warm relationships with neighbors, a democratic community government, strong social support networks, and a peaceful lifestyle devoid of long commutes to unsatisfying jobs. Families enjoy reliable, safe child support as children are raised communally. In the EcoVillage at Ithaca, added benefits include access to fresh organic...
Disadvantages to living in a cohousing community include some personal sacrifices including greater restrictions on privacy and the inability to avoid conflicts.
The EcoVillage at Ithaca is both similar and different to the surrounding area. The EcoVillage and Cornell University support each other. Some EcoVillage residents work directly with the university to promote scholastic inquiry into sustainable communities and sustainable agriculture. However, the EcoVillage is an independent entity within Ithaca. The values, mission, and goals of the EcoVillage leaders often clash with those of Ithaca. The founders of the community worked hard to undo what former landholders had done: such as unsustainable farming practices that marred the landscape and threatened its fertility. Even so, both the EcoVillage and the surrounding Finger Lakes district share a common ecosystem. The residents of the EcoVillage depend on Ithaca for innumerable practical products and services. The EcoVillage is not fully self-reliant, and residents have not isolated themselves from the rest of the world. Ithaca resembles a typical North American community, although one that celebrates the growth of a remarkable social experiment.
Work Cited
Walker, Liz. EcoVillage at Ithaca. New Society Publishers,…
