The thinking behind the village is perhaps best described as eclectic, having borrowed from a large variety of traditions and conceptual frameworks. There is also a respect for diversity of thought, and a sense of humility and openness to learning about how to create a thriving village life.
Having said that, there are some guiding principles upon which the village design and concept are based. The permaculture approach is central to the village design and concept. It embodies both practical applications of sustainability and creates an enduring base for social equity. Those would be our guiding principles: ecological sustainability and social equity. In addition, a particular aesthetic sense guided by those principles, has also directed our planning and design. We hope you like it.
It is unlikely that all residents will be employed in the village. Nor is it necessary or desirable that this occur. Certainly, home and village based businesses (in addition to Atamai Village Ltd) will be encouraged and supported. These businesses will provide their services both within and outside the village. In other cases, an individual’s employment may be entirely independent of the village. It is anticipated that at least 60% of residents could be employed either wholly or partly within the village.
The employment opportunities within the village ensure it will not be just another 'dormitory subdivision'. What is most certain is that this aspect of village life will evolve over time as the village takes on a unique character derived from the particular skills and interests of the residents. One of the advantages of the village design and vision is that it creates a special opportunity for this aspect of the settlement to grow and bring a distinctive flavour to the village.
Atamai Village Ltd, or whatever name the society decides to give it, will be the company that provides a variety of basic services for the society, much as a property maintenance company provides services for a condominium. The company run by the society will be operated on a commercial basis, but the society will be the owner, and the company will be run and staffed with residents from the village. This will create employment opportunities for village residents, and be an important aspect of the village economy.
Specific services provided by the company will include:
The company will create a variety of full and part time positions for residents, and contribute to the village economy.
No. What it means is that the village grounds will be free of private vehicles so that people can move about in safety and comfort. There will be an internal village transport service that will have several components:
If these various options are not enough to meet individual needs, private vehicle ownership is possible. Parking at the village boundary will be available for private vehicles should they be required.
The village transport system will be designed to both reduce family transport expenses, as well as emissions which affect climate change.
It is now well established that climate change is a major challenge to human well being, particularly by making food production unpredictable, and that greenhouse gas emissions are the major cause. Various aspects of the village design have as their objective the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by residents. This will be accomplished in a variety of ways:
It is the intent of Atamai Village Council to actual monitor carbon emissions and to continually reduce them over time. We believe the features listed above will actually result in the activities of village residents sequestering more carbon than they emit – thus the “carbon neutral” label.
It depends on your perspective. One of the common complaints about village life is that it is too narrow and restricted, or too isolated from the rest of the world.
Atamai Village might feel like this to some people. Some people prefer the excitement of a large city and may not appreciate what a village has to offer.
The design of Atamai Village will require residents to be involved with the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the village – both in terms of physical infrastructure and social organization. Such tasks can provide considerable intellectual and social challenges that can engage the sharpest minds and talents. In addition, Atamai Village is relatively close to some of the largest urban centres on NZ’s South Island.
Atamai Village is being purposefully designed on traditional and authenic village patterns that have survived the test of time in most cultures around the world. We take the “village” concept seriously, and believe it offers considerable benefits compared to most other forms of human settlement.
The advantages of a village are:
Yes. You can make a refundable deposit on a title of your choice.
Contact Atamai Village Council for further information.
As of this writing (Summer, 2012), stage I & II sections are for sale (see Section Details). Stage III is still in the planning stage.
Definitely. Atamai Village Council encourages owner-build, or some component of 'sweat equity' involvement. There are ready made house designs available from the Society, or the owner can submit his/her plan for review and approval by the Trust. The Trust encourages creative designs within the elements of the agreed covenants.
The titles vary considerably in price, depending on location within the village and other special features. The site plan for the village, with price ranges for various titles and home designs, is available for review on request. Details can be found here.
Atamai Village wishes to make equity in a range of homes accessible for people with the skills necessary to make the village a success. In addition to a conventional market purchase of a title and home, it is also possible to acquire a title and home through some combination of financing, sweat equity and skill contribution. Interested parties are invited to discuss an approach suitable for them with the Society.
A number of rental properties for accommodation and lease properties for business ventures are planned, particularly in the village centre in stage III.
Every purchaser of a title in the village becomes a member of the Society. Only people who live in the village can be members of the Society.
Yes, as in a traditional village, there will be both buildings and natural areas that will be owned in common, and managed by the society, Atamai Village Council, for the benefit of all residents. The community buildings will include a community centre which houses a multipurpose meeting area, a library, a communications centre, perhaps a laundry (run on a commercial basis ?), a cafe, and other amenities determined by the society. Common lands will include orchards and gardens, as well as various natural and recreation areas for village use. Most of the village land will be a shared Commons.
Yes. All titles will be freehold titles to a specific parcel of land.
Atamai Village is definitely not a commune; nor is it an “intentional community” in the usual sense of that term. But Atamai Village does present a clear and distinct vision of what it strives for. And there are specific covenants spelled out that all residents must respect. In that sense, there are clear intentions for the village. But the vision is general and the covenants establish some fundamental features – not unlike the rules that govern any settlement, whether they are specified by a district council, a condominium board, or simply quietly set up by a developer. At Atamai Village the covenants are explicit and reflect the vision; they make it easier for residents attracted to the village to actually live their personal version of the vision.
The covenants on the Atamai titles are simply intended to protect the quality of life that motivated purchasers to buy into the village in the first place.
Atamai Village is an open village, meaning that people who are attracted to the vision and wish to contribute can participate. Residents are free to live as they wish, provided they respect the few covenants they agree to when they join the society. Considerable freedom exists to live within the general principles of ecological sustainability, social supports and individual responsibility.
Yes, but we do not refer to it primarily as an “eco-village” because we believe it is so much more. Atamai Village is definitely being designed on the most stringent and fundamental ecological principles to ensure minimum impact on the environment. We go beyond protecting the environment to actually enhancing the productivity of the lands within the village boundaries. Permaculture design allows us to improve the food, timber, water and energy productivity of the land and improve biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.
But Atamai Village also creates an authentic village settlement pattern, allowing for living, working and playing without leaving the village. Along with many other features, the car- free nature of the main village grounds makes for a safe, clean and attractive human scale space that facilitates social contacts. These social connections are further facilitated by designing the village infrastructure so that it can be maintained and enhanced by the village residents. It presents an opportunity for self- governance that allows residents to make decisions about how they run their lives.