What is a Circular Economy Village?

A Circular Economy Village (CEV) is a neighbourhood or precinct for both housing and work, that is designed according to the principles of the circular economy. These are:

1.    Eliminate waste and pollution

2.    Keep materials and resources circulating

3.    Regenerate natural systems

The principles are applied to the design of energy, water, and transport infrastructure, as well as the food system and built environment. This approach has become possible in recent years because of the availability of renewable energy generation and storage systems. A renewable energy micro-grid provides electricity to homes and workplaces, cycles water through the precinct and powers a fleet of shared electric vehicles. The water micro-grid supplies water to homes, while also irrigating the diverse, regenerative agricultural system.

The CEV is designed for a discrete population of up to a maximum of 200 people. By planning for a fixed population, it is possible to match the scale of the infrastructure systems such that supply exceeds demand for food, water, energy, housing, and vehicles. Each CEV would therefore be designed to provide all the energy, water, housing, workspace and transport needs of the resident community and a substantial proportion of their food.

Why are CEVs sometimes called a Regenerative Villages?

The term circular economy is usually associated with recycling and waste management strategies. Often the principle of regenerating natural systems is neglected. By calling the village a regenerative village we emphasise the aim of designing systems such that daily economic activity results in a net positive impact on ecological systems.

The state government will ultimately decide what term will be adopted in planning policy and how it will be defined. ‘Regenerative village’ and ‘Circular Economy Village’ are the recommended terms. The latest version of the definition reads as follows:

Regenerative Village is a settlement that has been designed:

(a)  as a singular project for a discrete and pre-determined population,

(b)  in accordance with the principles of the Circular Economy, and

(c)  as a system that integrates food, water, energy, transport infrastructure and the built environment.

Where can I get more information about Circular Economy Villages?

You can find a general overview at our home page. Download the white paper for a more detailed overview.

Some radio and podcast interviews are available at our media page.

For more rigorous discussion and analysis, you can find a number of peer-reviewed academic papers at our publications page.

To learn more, sign up for a workshop on our events page. Contact us if you’d like to arrange a workshop.

What’s the difference with an ecovillage?

A circular economy village or regenerative village is a specific type of ecovillage. According to the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) an ecovillage is defined as:

An ecovillage is an intentional, traditional or urban community that is consciously designed through locally owned participatory processes in all four dimensions of sustainability (social, culture, ecology and economy) to regenerate social and natural environments.

Ecovillages usually start by building community, who then collectively design the buildings and infrastructure. With CEVs we start by enhancing the landscape—developing a nature-based infrastructure ecosystem—so as to increase the capacity of the land to sustain the proposed population.

Has Council approved the development?

No, not yet. Until February 2023 we have been working with Council to develop a planning framework. When a site has been identified, finance secured, designs completed, and relevant reports have been prepared, we will be able to lodge a development application with Council.

Go to the project status page to find out where we are up to.

What is a planning framework?

For any other form of development, say a single dwelling or an apartment building, you can go to Council, and they will tell you where your development is permissible, what the development controls are, and what you would need to contribute towards the provision of local infrastructure.

As a new and innovative form of land development, regenerative villages are not currently able to be readily developed under the planning provisions. This is because no strategic planning or policy work has been undertaken to enable them. We therefore had to develop this planning framework which includes:

1.    a definition for regenerative villages

2.    a process for identifying appropriate locations where they would be permissible

3.    a draft clause for inclusion in the Local Environmental Plan that describes the characteristics and principal requirements (and makes the development permissible in the identified locations)

4.    a draft chapter with more detailed development controls for inclusion in Council’s Development Control Plan

5.    A process for determining and negotiating requirements for the provision and management of infrastructure both on the site and in the surrounding areas.

This all needs to be approved by the Department of Planning under a formal ‘Planning Proposal’ process, which has not yet been commenced. Council has sought preliminary advice on our draft proposal from the Department.

Who is the developer? Who will pay for it?

Separate entities are being created to take the project forward.

LAND OWNER

A Community Land Trust (CLT) will be the legal purchaser and owner of the land. Future residents will be able to buy units, shares or memberships in the CLT. This means that, legally, the community of future residents will collectively own and develop the land. They also benefit from improvements to the land that result from the development process. From an investment perspective, this approach is referred to as fractional real estate investment as each resident owns a fraction of the property and any improvements. There are also many similarities with cooperative housing, as well as community equity and shared equity schemes.

DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR

A separate organisation will assist the CLT throughout the development process. This includes managing the land rezoning and development approval processes, setting up the CLT, accessing debt funding if the CLT does not have enough capital, and establishing systems to facilitate ongoing management of the CEV post construction.

How do I buy a house in the village?

No-one will be able to buy a house as all the buildings and infrastructure will be owned, in perpetuity, by the CLT. Residents can buy shares in the CLT. This provides the security of ownership with the flexibility of renting.

The cost of living in the village will be on a per-person basis, not a per-household basis. You therefore will not be renting a house but your shares in the CLT will give you access to your private space, a range of shared spaces, some food, water, energy, and access to shared vehicles for transport.  

Can I design my own house?

There will be some community involvement in the co-design process, but this will be constrained by the design principles for the village as a whole. The aim will also be to create smaller private spaces, while making a wide range of shared spaces available to everyone.

What are the village design principles?

The CEV design principles are listed below. They are discussed in more detail in the white paper on the home page.

1.    One planet living - Match the population of each place to the capacity of the land and its infrastructure.

2.    Diversity - Maximise the resilience of the system

3.    Enhance integrated ecosystems - Support nature to do the work

4.    The village as a thermodynamic system - Harness input energy and minimise energy losses

5.    Productive efficiency - Let technology do the work

6.    Distributive efficiency - Local production for local consumption

7.    Durability - The longer things last, the less work is needed to fix or replace them

8.    Sharing - Share spaces and utilise spare capacity

9.    Connectivity - No-one can do this alone

Is this a commune?

No. You will have your own private living space, while access to certain shared spaces will be subject to booking on the dedicated app. The village is designed so that there are opportunities to make friends and form community groups but no obligation to do so.