Faculty International Activities

Dr. Deborah Altus (Family & Human Services) visited ten ecovillages in Denmark and presented a paper at the International Communal Studies Association conference titled Developmental Communalism in the Therapeutic Communities Movement: Synanon and the Oxford House Model.

The ecovillages she visited included Grobund, Friland, Andelssamfundet i Hjortshoj, Hertha, Svanholm, Okosamfundet Dyssekilde, Munksogards, Hallingelille, Permatopia, and Christiania. While these communities have somewhat different missions and vary in size and configuration, there is a common focus on promoting ecological sustainability and reducing their ecological footprint.

The communities also focus on social sustainability in the design of membership, governance, work-sharing, and cultural activities to promote cooperation and camaraderie. Governance is typically horizontal with a concern for egalitarian decision-making. Many of the communities are broken into neighborhoods to allow for smaller governing units, with neighborhoods often having some autonomy over issues such as membership selection and home design. Cars are typically restricted to the periphery of the communities to promote safe, quiet spaces for family life.

Many of the communities set aside housing for renters in order to open membership to those who otherwise could not afford to join. A limited-equity system is typically used to prevent real-estate speculation and maintain affordable housing. Two communities specifically include members with intellectual disabilities to promote diversity. At Hertha, about 15% of members have intellectual disabilities, with deliberate steps in place to promote social and occupational integration. Similarly, Andelssamfundet i Hjortshoj has set aside one of its neighborhoods for members with intellectual disabilities, and some communities promote age diversity by deliberately designing neighborhoods for older members.

Safe, affordable, sustainable housing that meets needs of diverse populations is a critical issue in our society. The opportunity to visit these communities provided Dr. Altus with useful information for her Family & Human Services courses.