Municipal local experiments

In the 1980s many of these ideals, practices and understandings were spread to wider segments of the population; social cohesion, more sustainable environmental and energy options in dwellings, organic and local produced food, not to mention the most successful. Especially the municipal local experiments in urban ecology, renewable energy, waste separation and participatory democracy in residential areas flourished. By this, municipality administrators learned to cope with eco-communities and their ideas.

Construction and architecture

The experiments in construction and architecture have been spurred by enthusiasts and dedicated scientists, artisans, self-builders and small contractors in construction. From the 1990s and onwards a number of major eco settlements and urban environmental areas were formed for ordinary citizens, established on top of dialogues and planning procedures with local municipalities.

Day 1: Idea, background and implementation

Morning:

The eco-society movement in Denmark – background, consolidation and importance with Susanna Maxen, Chair of Danish Ecovillage network. Visit to Eco Community Dyssekilde at Torup in North Zealand; a community for three generations with small scale productions and outlets. Introduction by inhabitant and study visit to the very active community: taste homemade organic rye bread, visit local manufacturing units and various innovative architectonic dwellings.

Afternoon:

Visit to Svanholm, the oldest eco community in Denmark based on shared economy, large scale organic farming, eco-house constructions and materials. Topics: from small is beautiful to economies of scale – the history of Svanholm and role for the organic goods being introduced to the retail markets; sustainable everyday life; inside/outside work-everyday organizing; political networking; market impacts. Study visit to Munksøgaard, situated in Trekroner, Roskilde. A visionary community in the middle of Roskilde suburban area containing diverse ecological dwellings, all based upon eco-friendly materials, organic farming, open green areas, car-sharing, renewable energy production, local manure treatment… and social coherence.

Day 2: Networks, labor and infrastructure

Morning:	Visit to the construction firm “Egen Vinding og Datter”, the company, which besides the self builders started commercial eco-based renovating and dwelling constructions in Denmark. Study visit to Hallingelille, an Eco Community near Ringsted based upon Perma-Culture. Here is a variety of construction principles at stake, organic farming and spiritual commons.
Afternoon:	Visit to Fri and Fro, the eco community north of Kalundborg with innovative architecture, cob constructions (straw and clay) and strong local community integration. Themes: good neighbourhood, enhancing local community development; capacity building for eco-villages.