LA ecovillage: self-reliance in car-free urban homestead

Рет қаралды 241,783

10 жыл бұрын

In urban Los Angeles, about 3 miles west of downtown, 500 people live on 11 acres where priority is given to bicycles, fruit trees, greywater, veggie gardens, clotheslines, compost, shared spaces (tool shop, art space, bike shop), micro-businesses, on-site natural food coop and chickens.
The Los Angeles Ecovillage was launched over 2 decades when its founders looked to the neighborhood for inspiration. "The way in which we think about making an urban ecovillage, we have to ask ourselves the questions, 'what are the problems in your neighborhood with air, soil and water'", explains co-founder Lois Arkin. "And for us, in the beginning, it was discovering that the children in our neighborhood had 20% less lung capacity than children in other neighborhoods. So what could we do, we could stop driving."
* Filmed by Johnny Sanphillippo -- more of his stories about urbanism, adaptation & resilience: granolashotgun.com/
LA Ecovillage: laecovillage.org/
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...

Пікірлер: 474

@bethanyday3471 4 жыл бұрын

Would love an updated video on how this is going now. If only more places could be like this. Realistic in how they are approaching the homestead with great big plans that hopefully end with mostly self-reliance.

@bayoubabe6698 11 ай бұрын

Yes!! Can we get an update??

@Junior_Jackson 9 жыл бұрын

This woman has big plans. I think that's a good thing. I guarantee this neighborhood is a much better place because of them.

@AnthonyRizzo2 10 жыл бұрын

Solutions happen when people supplant cynicism and apathy with conviction and action. In an age of big corporation and big government, it is refreshing to see people who are not waiting for someone else to lead but who instead are taking their own lives and future into their hands. It’s beautiful to see so many different generations of people represented too. It shows that this is not some fringe specialty group but that it is a way of life for the masses. I would love to see a big polluting city like L.A. transformed into an urban oasis dominated by bicycles instead of cars, because if there is hope for L.A. then there is hope for the rest of Americas big cities as well.

@albertrasch4793 10 жыл бұрын

Let's not forget that it would all be for naught if they didn't get handouts and donations, grants and city funds... That all comes from people other than the direct community. A necessary evil perhaps?

@AnthonyRizzo2 10 жыл бұрын

Albert Rasch Our government keeps the price of animal feed artificially low so that industry wide agra-corporations can mass produce meat for the nation. It’s a system of public handouts that have made companies lucrative deals that should have fallen through. It has in turn created a network of interdependent economic relationships that are all artificially propped up. We are living and working in an unsustainable system that is bound to collapse. We are coconspirators in this failed economy. We help support it. We create new businesses that depend on it. We buy and support products and services that it supplies. We know it’s wrong yet we remain as I said before apathetic and cynical. Every large scale effort to the contrary by well backed entrepreneurs gets met with skepticism and thwarted by red tape and regulations. Every grassroots effort gets criticized as fringe and a drain on public grants and private contributions. Yet they are doing nothing different than the larger well established corporate industries are doing. They are seeking financing and public support for an idea, product or service that will stand to make billions given adequate support. So what’s the difference? This new model is sustainable. It is realistic; It does not need to be propped up by the government. All it needs is public support, both in the way of how we shop and public funds and regulations that make such businesses easier to start and run. It’s not a necessary evil. It is how a democracy speaks.

@albertrasch4793 10 жыл бұрын

Anthony Rizzo Now THAT I agree with; Well thought out Sir! Thanks

@AnthonyRizzo2 10 жыл бұрын

Albert Rasch I'm glad because I've been criticized for being a bit too verbose.

@samella35 10 жыл бұрын

Anthony Rizzo. I totally agree, and am trying to do the same in my beloved city, Detroit, with some success. Thanks for your enlightened comment.

@lancedaniels 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kirsten for giving me a chance to see such an interesting community. It sounds like they have striven to achieve ownership with little debt too. Very impressive.

@wynnkidsnannylorivance4111 7 жыл бұрын

Kirsten, I know I say this about almost every film you make....but....this one is my favorite!.....again! :)

@samella35 10 жыл бұрын

I prefer city living vs rural living. But in this vid, with all the fruit trees, veggie plants, cycle riders, etc., they have the best of both worlds. Kirsten, this vid is so inspiring to me, as Imma city girl, but love to live simply and self-sustainably. Thanks so much for reaching out and exposing the variety of ways we can live eco-friendly. You're the best.

@theCosmicQueen 2 жыл бұрын

be careful of contaminated soil in cities.

@tadamsmcadams7141 10 жыл бұрын

I think its wonderful. I see a lot of haters, but I think they are part of a change that is good. I live in Arizona and when I visit friends in Scottsdale, everything is manicured and perfect...but its the dessert...this seems definitely more free flowing with people interacting with each other. Its better than perfect yards and homes where no one talks to each other. They have a vision for the place that they live.

@janetlevisay1770 9 жыл бұрын

This lady is a visionary -- I really respect that!!

@terrideniseA 10 жыл бұрын

I think this is awesome. There is so much potential and these people are going for it. It's a life that's more affordable and they are being so creative. I agree with the way they are living, trying to do things cheaper, more natural, recycling and living with honesty and respecting each other, thus helping each other and teaching future generations. It takes time and money to beautify but I see they have accomplished so much. I have bookmarked their website and will read more about how they manage things. I have lots of questions. Thanks for posting this Kirsten. I didn't know these communities were around.

@samella35 10 жыл бұрын

What is their website. I'd like to contact them as well. Thanks.

@terrideniseA 10 жыл бұрын

to nzinga zindua:The website, LA Ecovillage is at laecovillage.org/

@frand122 7 жыл бұрын

Denise Anderson is

@bealtainecottage 10 жыл бұрын

This is simply fabulous...a wonderful concept for living! Such a great example, it makes a good template for other communities! I practice permaculture and it's great to see this being applied in the city!

@rogergarris6678 6 жыл бұрын

Bealtaine Cottage À

@thesuppliesgirl 10 жыл бұрын

this lady is amazing. buying up the ghetto and turning it into this wonderful property brings a smile to my face. and the water filter system they set up for the street drains - what an inspiration!

@justgivemethetruth954 10 жыл бұрын

17:06 - they don't have that social time that our parents did, I mean, like you know you don't hear about people playing bridge anymore. This hit me as a really profound comment. We are turning ourselves into robots. Maybe this is the solution. I sure would like to see this kind of thing take over a lot more than I like seeing corporations and just money take over.

@jenniferholden9397 4 жыл бұрын

Justgivemethetruth It hit me when people were taking their lunch at their desks! Try explaining that to the French. When I started work in '71 we had to take a lunch break no argument and I wasn't sat looking at a computer screen. Bring back the unions.

@TheXanUser 3 жыл бұрын

would really love to see a 2020 followup on this one.

@maureenspaulding7092 9 жыл бұрын

How are you dealing with police/fire protection? Insurance? Liability especially? If you get sick how are you going to get an ambulance to you quickly? I love the concept and you certainly are strong dedicated folk with a great alternative to urban blight! I commend you and will pass this on to many friends I know. My advise is Not to become too isolated. I live in a rural community in Mass. and I have the exact opposite situation that you do. Because we are considered poor we are being taken advantage by corporate greed who want to take our land for natural gas that will go outside of the country. They just want to use us without liability for their actions. We are fighting hard to keep our open spaces and farmlands here. If there is an explosion we will be on fire forever like California. It is the "Fire Next Time" said James Baldwin. Water is precious. Glad you are aware and more. Mo Spaulding

@kenmurray8476 9 жыл бұрын

I had the very enjoyable opportunity to attend a film screening last week at the LA Eco Village, and met Lois! Along with a number of other residents. It was very inspirational in the opinion of many new attendees such as myself. It was a very welcoming environment, and was great fun!

@paperkawaii 10 жыл бұрын

Wow that looks so cool.. I'd love to live there..! I love all your videos, thanks for taking the time and effort to make them :)

@tonibartling3844 10 жыл бұрын

Love this girl....so much vision and real determined! She doesn't let anything get in her way lol. Kudos.

@nameofthepen 10 жыл бұрын

Old hippies don't die. They just turn into guerrilla developers of "green" habitats. ;-))

@calijames5393 10 жыл бұрын

sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

@dancewomyn1 8 жыл бұрын

I would love to learn from this woman...What a pioneer! To come into an area that I'm sure in the 80's was scary as hell, and come out on the other side with this self sustaining community is quite an accomplishment! And did she say "no bank loans" by the way!?? Wow. impressive.

@xX19Cass89Xx 10 жыл бұрын

Id love to live in a community like this! I think humans have strayed from the importance of community. Everyone's wrapped up in work and stress with the " we have to have this, we have to have that" mentality.. I think we all need to slow down and just take it easy. We only live once and i'm not a bee... I do not want to work my whole life away. When we purge the unnecessary things in our life we'll be able to actually live life and not live for the things we don't even use because we're to busy working.

@davidscott5595 10 жыл бұрын

nice

@samella35 10 жыл бұрын

Agree.

@moonchildani 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing ~ I look forward to all of Kirstins videos. I read below a controversy on opinions of liking this way of life and not ; and there lies the issue of why not more of these communities pop up ~ is the difference of opinions on how they'd run such a community. The good parts everyone can take from this is growing more food as landscape and sharing ~ also the recycle, composting and again the sharing. God bless them in their endeavors.

@smallfootprint2961 8 жыл бұрын

She's my hero. May she live forever and change the world. I know exactly where this is and think it's amazing that they have had the insight to make this happen. Now if I can just figure out how to size down my avitar....

@juliefaye78 10 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful example of community. Thank you for presenting this Kirsten :)

@xd0rablex 10 жыл бұрын

This place is amazing! I didn't know such place existed in la! Thanks again fair companies for your awesome videos!

@romyjugroo4542 10 жыл бұрын

My car stays in the garage when I can use my bike.Otherwise I cycle when possible or run errands in homemade sandals.Great garden,nice video.

@lcrread 7 жыл бұрын

Great example of a city urban homestead. A community comes together and made this place a self-reliance and sustainable garden. We need more neighborhoods and other cities to do what they're doing. Thank you for a great video.

@bellaangel9425 10 жыл бұрын

This is such an inspiring and encouraging video. We each have the power to cherish ourselves, each other and our Lovely Earth.

@tiyiendeamyszka6266 8 жыл бұрын

WE need more of these awesome Eco-villages in the urban setting! It give me great hope when people can come together and live more cooperatively! Keep growing and flowing planting many "seeds" that will spread near and far! Blessings to you all in LA!!!!! Peace, and love, TiyiEndea at Avalon Organic Gardens & Eco-Village, Tumacacori, Arizona

@hfortenberry 4 жыл бұрын

I LOVE this! This is just fantastic! The whole thing, with all the concepts are amazing! I love how they have those garage compartments each as a specific community use, like the workshop or bike shop or art studio or business incubator (coffee roaster). Wonderful! I'd love to see these kinds of communities popping up all over the country!

@wynnkidsnannylorivance4111 7 жыл бұрын

urban self reliance in one space---that is just cool!!!

@pattibrown1809 4 жыл бұрын

I love this!!! How beautiful!!! This is exactly what our world needs!❤❤❤

@marzymarrz5172 6 жыл бұрын

Now you’re talking’. Excellent Kirsten. What an interesting way to deal with all the housing issues people in cities have to deal with. In that it is as clear as glass that government will be no help to humanity, humanity has to lawyer up just like this very interesting activist woman did. This is particularly appealing for people of a certain age who would like to live surrounded by people of different ages including noisy and active children. This just gets better as the video unreal!

@JacksonSharpening 10 жыл бұрын

This is a fascinating living example of cooperative living over a period of time. I'm amazed at the underlying human interactions and dynamics that must go on to make this a growing success.

@jasonpowell8335 10 жыл бұрын

Kirsten keep up the great work I love watching your documentaries!

@eleanorwu3610 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your success with us. I am very encouraged by your determination and spirit of doing the best under the circumstances. Please continue your good work. This world need alternatives like the one you are presenting.

@zayvier69 3 жыл бұрын

This intentional community is amazing, this woman is amazing and so knowledgeable I hope others are taking notes from her experience.

@JenLavery 9 жыл бұрын

If only there was a place like that here. Many people working towards a common goal of self-sustainability. What a beautiful project. ^^

@AlexMW-1 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting Kirsten. Enjoyable

@amarketing8749 4 жыл бұрын

This is So Wonderful!! In so many city's and college towns, the cost of living is outrageous. This village gives people a chance to actually grow their own food, coop pantry, bicycle repair and storage.... Heck even just having a lobby to gather in is huge!! I hope to see more of this!!

@mildredmartinez8843 2 жыл бұрын

This lady is fabulous. Neighbors getting together to make a better sustainable and people friendky right in the heart of LA. Incredible! But true.

@andreewert1142 6 жыл бұрын

A Great little Community...Bravo..Mulch, Yeast and Compost ...and you re set to Grow..lol. ..Love Life Loud and Clear

@lidiabroccolino9433 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Your videos are so inspiring and so loving! Very soon I am going to change my life too....

@earthlingbrittany 10 жыл бұрын

Lois, I really appreciate all the hard work you've put into this! I think it's a wonderful ecovillage and I found it very inspiring!

@Manda11.11 6 жыл бұрын

ive watched this video like 12 times love it so much

@liverawkstar 10 жыл бұрын

I love this upload, :inspirational.. Im watching it for the 2nd time now... awesome folks who live here and support this thinking

@buenavidaestates-livingthe6333 8 жыл бұрын

I'm a RE investor and serial renovator and this is awesome and inspiring. Not everyone's style or aesthetic so as they say...take the best, forget the rest. It's just one example. Not your thing? Make your own!! Love the garages/art spaces and tool sheds. I'm just amazed at how she acquired all the buildings and the sense of determination & vision. You go Lois!!

@JamesScottGuitar 10 жыл бұрын

Incredibly inspiring !

@moccasinlanding 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing people, you o\present them so beautifully

@moetrymwm7807 3 жыл бұрын

What a fascinating tour and community. Los Angeles could sure use more spaces and neighborhoods like yours.

@neptronix 10 жыл бұрын

One of your best videos yet... thanks! :)

@anielaszymanska9592 8 жыл бұрын

this is soooo great opportunities for some kind of people that will be able might be even survived Thank you so much for such great example and show others to be normal, environmental friendly, ordinary persons Thank you again and all the best in the future

@bebahojt 7 жыл бұрын

So inspirational and so many amazing ideas. Just love this one !!

@joansmith3492 10 жыл бұрын

So cool. I love what your doing! It looks like a wonderful place to live! Except I didn't see any dogs! (I can't live without a dog or two). I hope you are able to convert your fellow LA Californians to this better way!

@yorkandpomona 10 жыл бұрын

the art shops are amazing! work shops gardens grey water. oh these people are amazing\

@ThisisEkkalak 10 жыл бұрын

This is a nice inspiration at least for me do good things for community. Thank you so much.

@yorkandpomona 10 жыл бұрын

omg im so inspired. i live in los angeles. i want to live here this is a dream come true how amazing!

@FunTrails 9 жыл бұрын

Wonderful and inspiring. Really wan't to come down to check it out sometime, only live an hour away.

@The72Nana 8 жыл бұрын

So amazing!

@yorkandpomona 10 жыл бұрын

I love this so so so so much. Ow This has made me so happy!

@silverhairdemon 4 жыл бұрын

If the whole world looked like this, it would be paradise.

@patches_kitty 8 жыл бұрын

AAHHH THANK THE MAKER I SPENT AN HOUR AND A HALF LOOKING FOR THIS VIDEO

@sgale79073 9 жыл бұрын

You guys are amazing, what an inspiration. We need to do this in Reno, NV. We are trying to get co-housing started, but there is a real need for affordable urban EcoVillage living like you have demonstrated. It is clear to see the hostess (not sure of her name) is a key community force, and gives us brave ones out there inspiration.

@ragemodels 4 жыл бұрын

Love to see a follow vid on these amazing people !!!

@marywatkins9438 4 жыл бұрын

I love this channel and many of the ideas presented. This particular ecovillage is nice, but didn't do much for me personally. But I'm glad their hearts are in the right place and that they are doing good work in their community.

@futurelegendfilms 4 жыл бұрын

She’s great. What a vision!

@paulypizzaful 10 жыл бұрын

you are a great person to do selflessly for yourself and others we need others to respect where -how they live withself and others pleas leave your ego out side the perimiter of our blessed community bless you for your service

@msyin9 10 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!

@CrankyBubushka 7 жыл бұрын

Omg I love this place!! I wish I could have a place like that where I live!!

@writingsinthesky 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. This is an idea that shows promise. I think that 500 people is a bit ambitious, but I hope this project is an inspiration to many others. As for the naysayers about how tidy it is, hey...why not pick up a broom and a shovel and go over there and help these people achieve their dream?

@DarklightAmy 10 жыл бұрын

I would love to live like that one day :) very inspiring!

@debcobern312 9 жыл бұрын

An inspiration for others living in cities who wish to see this kind of change.

@justgivemethetruth954 10 жыл бұрын

The auto-repair shops are kind of scary considering the oil, gas, asbestos and lead. I greatly admire their toughness and perseverance!

@diogenesalejandroxenosdax1723 8 ай бұрын

Wow, may more people build such supportive healthy sustainable communities.

@pgm98387 9 жыл бұрын

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

@beth8775 6 жыл бұрын

She has an amazing vision!

@almannone 9 жыл бұрын

Another jem! Love it!

@smeyer9507 4 жыл бұрын

This is Awesome, makes me miss CA.

@andrewwinke 9 жыл бұрын

this is amazing. please dont stop

@fedepatagonia 4 жыл бұрын

good people .... very inspiring. i really like it

@packleader1215 10 жыл бұрын

We need more "bicycle cities" such as Portland, Oregon; Amsterdam; Groningen Cycling Friendly Cities

@patrickmurphy3 10 жыл бұрын

A very lovely and informative video. RIP my headphones, when she was eating that chewing sound caused me to throw my headphones wildly across the room. It sounded like 10,000 brain bugs eating my head apart. Then again, I get mad at my wife for chewing her food on the other side of the room. Just really sensitive to that sound I suppose. Hope there will be an update on this each year to see how the ecovillage continues to progress.

@qristv1912 8 жыл бұрын

they should do something like that in every city

@DJBSharpMusic 8 жыл бұрын

+Vegantastic Make one. I'd also do it if I had the cash to fold, so to speak.

@riverofpurple 5 жыл бұрын

I love the way this lady thinks...

@juliamckechnie4094 8 жыл бұрын

i love this idea.

@donfrancis1400 10 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@TheDtfamu89 7 жыл бұрын

This is a good idea that helps to stabilize living costs, and people see themselves as owners.

@DingoAteMeBaby 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing mission.

@Ursaminor31 3 жыл бұрын

She is amazing.

@brandonburrell8517 6 жыл бұрын

This is awesome!

@lisawhitaker8709 7 жыл бұрын

We were sorry to get to the end of this video...ready to move now!

@BeccaBoltification 7 жыл бұрын

I feel the exact same way!

@kira-im-einklang 2 жыл бұрын

Love it. I would love to move in.

@hfortenberry 4 жыл бұрын

Those little units are adorable. They should have left in the murphy beds. I lived in a place with one once and I loved it.

@bonicanovas3967 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome is right! I love this lady, what energy, reminds me of my Aunt Norma. They appear to be in a high crime rate area, it's probably why they have to lock, everything ;-)

@pacificpermaculture 6 жыл бұрын

Really cool,we need this concept to take root in the SF Bay Area ! ! !

@PatheticHero 5 жыл бұрын

I see this as a very idealistic enterprise and very needless to say it is very successful. This Woman had a vision and it has now become manifest, Brilliant.

@MRInuzaki 3 жыл бұрын

This is so cool

@aslfdjalskjflkajs134 7 жыл бұрын

this is so inspiring

@NEMO-NEMO 7 жыл бұрын

This is commune living .... it's always been a better way of life and practiced for a very long time until recently. Everyone working together for a global aim. You also hv the benefits of having different skill sets coming together to solve problems and save money.