Happy belated new year to all! Since 2000, we have been considering the concept of creating ecovillage here in Japan, found a project site at Kobunaki in 2003, and got development permission from local government at the end of 2006. And finally, we are to have first residents this year!!! This issue provides what G-project members have done in 2007 and what we dream of in 2008:
[Memories of 2007]
January: G-project website renewed at www.chikyunome.co.jp, updating everyday news about G-project and Kobunaki. We also keep working to update English version soon!
March: Moved to new office made of locally produced timbers, which is very comfortable with wooden features. As the office became separated from parent company, we feel more responsibility about our behavior and activities. At the same time, four new members joined our team.
April: Launched land development of Kobunaki Ecovillage site. We celebrated the kick-off with various Kobunaki supporters. We started a series of small study sessions to share our learning and network in creating Kobunaki, wishing to be a venue for sustainable creativity.
September: Started distributing information of Kobunaki to look for future residents. We met many wonderful people who interested in living at Kobunaki.
October: Published “Guidelines for landscape and lifestyle at Kobunaki”. This is to indicate the basic principals, and demonstrate the practical ideas and methods to realize such principals.
December: Established two new farm stands from Kobunaki community garden where we grow vegetables without use of pesticides.
[Wish for 2008]
Kobunaki Ecovillage will get a life!
- Development of land will be over in this spring, and construction of houses will start, which make most use of natural resources such as solar, wind, and rainwater. Kobunaki residents will start moving in afterwards.
- Plan for the center area is going on in collaboration with the students of local university. As the gathering place for all from kids to the old, Kobunaki community center will open in this autumn.
Beyond Kobunaki!
- As Kyoto Protocol go into effect, the society is changing very rapidly. We would like to start thinking about our next project after Kobunaki, from the perspective how G-project can contribute in next society.
- Make not only the Kobunaki lifestyle more sustainable, but also our office and work-style!
- Disseminate our challenge of creating ecovillage! First trial is from Vietnam? We will join the International Eco-products Fair in Hanoi at the beginning of March.
Editor's note
Did you make any New Year's resolution for this year? I believe sustainability can be created from everyday chores, and recently I am hooked on baking bread with wild yeast, Compared with using quick-rising dry yeast, the most difficult process is fermentation of bread dough. So this year, I would like to be able to identify the perfect setting and timing of fermentation!
