COHOUSING WORKSHOP

Have you ever wondered how it would be:

• To live in a safe, multi-generational neighbourhood where you are valued and feel you belong?
• To have privacy and autonomy AND really know your neighbours?
• To live lightly on the earth and not have to own and do everything yourself?
  
  

Cohousing is a form of collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighbourhoods. The Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood in West Auckland is recognised internationally as a model sustainable community, and a finalist in the World and UN Habitat Awards. Visit www.earthsong.org.nz to learn more.

Presenter Robin Allison, eco-architect, was the project coordinator and is now an Earthsong resident. Robin brings a wealth of skills and experience to inspire and assist others to develop sustainable community, either in existing suburbs or new-build.

Learn about this successful community model

Friday 31 July

Introductory Evening - all welcome
7-9.30 pm, Wesley Church, 100 13th Ave, Tauranga
Cost: $15 at the door, tea/coffee and nibbles provided
No registration required

Topic: Cohousing – Flourishing Sustainable Neighbourhoods
Living in a connected, diverse and multi-generational neighbourhood is more supportive, more sustainable, and lots more fun! This evening will introduce the cohousing model and show many examples of how this has been applied around the world in urban, suburban and rural situations

Saturday 1 August

Workshop - Numbers limited to 20
9:30am-4pm, Whakamarama Rd, Tauranga
Cost: $70 Saturday only or $75 Friday and Saturday
Bring your own lunch or a plate to share
Pre-registration required (see below)

Topics covered in this one-day workshop:

Community Governance And Effective Decision-Making
Enormous creativity and strength are possible when empowered individuals work together for the common good. Robin will introduce the key organisational structures and agreements, including the "coloured cards” method of consensus decision-making, that have served Earthsong so well.

Design For Community - Social and Environmental issues
Physical design doesn’t create community, but it can powerfully encourage or discourage community. Key aspects of designing for healthy community and environment, from macro issues of site layout and common facilities, to more subtle relationships between houses and collective spaces.

Project Planning - From Vision To Built Reality
Cohousing projects involve a wide range of steps, from developing a cohesive group vision, through membership processes to collaborative design, legal and financial structures and other development issues. Robin will share some key learnings and processes that help create a successful cohousing neighbourhood

To register for the Saturday workshop contact Sharon: sharon@ecoimages.co.nz • 027 656 0408