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

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/...

[@bethanyday3471]

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.

[@Junior_Jackson]

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]

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.

[@samella35]

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.

[@lancedaniels]

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]

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

[@janetlevisay1770]

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

[@tadamsmcadams7141]

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.

[@terrideniseA]

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.

[@justgivemethetruth954]

17:06

[@bealtainecottage]

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!

[@maureenspaulding7092]

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?

[@nameofthepen]

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

[@TheXanUser]

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

[@kenmurray8476]

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!

[@thesuppliesgirl]

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!

[@tonibartling3844]

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

[@xX19Cass89Xx]

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.

[@smallfootprint2961]

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....

[@wynnkidsnannylorivance4111]

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