The general idea behind a Pattern Language is to describe a network of ideas that if carried out would give the envisioned result. In this case, we want to create a languages to describe the vision of the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage. The patterns listed below at one level describe our vision, and at another level prescribe how to create that vision. Instead of setting out things in minute detail, these patterns make broad strokes and generalities to guide us in the organic process of ecovillage. For starters, we have chosen to focus on patterns of land use and building in the hopes that these patterns might guide a land use planning committee and give clarity to new members on what the eventual layout of DR is envisioned to be.
To use a Pattern Language one does not have to follow all patterns for all things. But with each new building or land management project, one should consider which patterns the project supports and manifests and which it does not. If all projects tend to encourage, support, and manifest these patterns, then eventually the whole ecovillage will grow and be more than the sum of its parts.
This list is, of course, only a starting point. New patterns will be added; visions will change. But our hope is that these patterns will eventually describe underlying principles of ecology, land use, and social systems that can be used to guide other ecovillages and community projects.
A small rural village.
Small rural villages and towns are an integral part of the web of human settlements (from households to cities). While there are many other ways for humans to live sustainably, DR hopes to be a model of such a village. This goal is at the core of DR's vision.
500-1000 People.
Anthropological studies show that 500-1000 people can be an ideal size for a small human settlement. It is large enough to be socially diverse and robust and support an internal economy, yet small enough to be human scale (meaning one sees others as individual people and not just masses of humans; one feels connected to the social system and truly empowered in the democratic decision making process). Plans and designs for DR should always keep in mind this eventual goal of having 500-1000 people here.
Minimal footprint and human impact.
At DR it is our ideal to impact the smallest area of land in the smallest way possible, preserving (or restoring) other lands in their most natural state. These two goals can sometimes be in conflict - intense impact on a small area vs. less impact on a larger area. So at DR we should act to leave most areas natural and in those areas where we do have impact make it be minimal or in harmony with the natural ecosystem present.
Wildlife area, ecosystem restoration.
Dancing Rabbit will preserve much or even most of its land as a wildlife area and attempt to restore healthy ecosystems with a focus on preserving/restoring native ecosystems and ecotypes.
Prairie on tops, woods in bottom.
The native ecosystems here were a mix of woods, savanna, and prairies. In general, woods were found in the bottom land with prairies on top (where fires encouraged grasses and kept trees from thriving), and savannas on the slope in between (grassland with some fire-resistant trees and shrubs). We should respect this natural pattern and act to preserve it and recreate it. This will involve periodic controlled burning of prairie grasses.
Preserve best agricultural land for agriculture.
There is a dynamic tension in the fact that often the best agricultural land is also the best land for buildings. On DR's land the best agricultural land is that which is flattest, usually at the tops of hills or in the bottom by the creek. We should make an effort to leave good agricultural land available for agriculture by building on more marginal land (here, that is the slopes of the hills). In addition, by integrating food production within the human settlement we can still use the agricultural land that lies between buildings for food production (gardens, fruit trees, etc.) (see Growing food between the houses)
Farming on tops, erosion control on slopes.
Since our soil is very prone to erosion, we must be very careful with any practices which may cause erosion. Thus farming should be on the flattest area at the tops of hills, while sloped areas should be left in cover to prevent erosion. Innovative techniques to allow food production on slopes without causing erosion are encouraged and welcomed.
Common grazing area.
We should plan for some fenced-in areas where animals can graze. These fields would ideally be connected by grassy areas where animals can be led or driven to other grazing areas or the barns. The amount of grazing land will need to be balanced with people's desires for animals and our ideal of minimizing our footprint (see above). Grazed land will, of course, not be overgrazed, and ideally grazing will be integrated with village life and other methods of food production.
A Town Center.
We envision DR having a town center with an open green ringed by buildings. This area should serve as a social and economic focus of the town, with shops and businesses on the green, and housing as well. We hope this will be a meeting place filled with people, where both commerce and recreation are common. Human settlement should surround this center, and daily traffic should lead one to, from, and through the center to encourage social interactions.
A Town Hall.
DR plans to have a town hall located on the town center. This should be a space for meetings and public events, as well as the heart of the town governmental process. So there should be space for offices and meetings (including classes and workshops) along with dining, dancing, and parties.
Businesses open to the public.
We envision that DR will have businesses open to the general public, not just to members. Thus we envision the village as a place where people from the surrounding area can come and shop as they would in a normal town. Business locations should be designed so they are differentiated from private homes.
Neighborhood fingers/agricultural fingers.
The area around our town center has many finger-like ridge hills with small waterways in between. On these we should encourage neighborhood "fingers" to stretch along the slopes of the ridges from the center, while agricultural or wildland fingers come in from outside the village. This will allow the integration of the human and natural areas while encouraging cohesive neighborhoods surrounding the town center.
Integrate work and residential areas as much as possible.
Separating people's work and home life is a consequence of industrialization that we would like to minimize at DR. Whenever possible, people's work should be integrated into the residential areas, creating a true mixed-use area. This will help to build community and minimize the distances people need to commute. Noxious or dangerous activities will hopefully be minimal, but should be separated from residences only as much as needed.
Growing food between the houses.
Gardens, vines, fruit trees, and other edible landscape should be integrated into the built area. The spaces between homes and businesses can provide the bulk of our produce and fruit without the need for large expansive orchards and vegetable farms (although these are not prohibited by any means). If a leaseholder does not wish to tend gardens and such on their leasehold, they should find someone to tend it for them rather than let it remain unproductive.
An open countryside.
Open spaces may be stewarded by individuals and groups but are still open to be enjoyed by all. As long as people do not harm crops or livestock they should be allowed access to farms and pastures for hiking, picnicking, and playing. People must respect the ground rules of a piece of land's stewards but at the basis the land belongs to all and should be as open to all as possible.
This article is first in an ongoing series. Future segments on the DR Pattern Language will focus on transportation, residences, aesthetics, and other relevant topics.
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