One of the key components of Transition initiatives is the formation of communities, whether those be spiritual, fraternal, geographic, intentional, or any other kind of communities. We will not be able to stand up to the coming shocks alone; it will take supportive communities of people to do that. There are all kinds of communities, and this page is a collection of existing and planned communities that could be of help to the people of Austin.
This page is just starting, so if you know of any other communities (or types of communities) that should be listed here, please send them to the webmaster.
Kaleidoscope Village
Kaleidoscope Village is the first cohousing community in Austin.
It will be a community of 37 green-built homes on a 6-acre site
in central east Austin.
The community is under construction now, and is still accepting
applications from potential residents.
What is the commons?
"The commons is a new way to express a very old idea—that some
forms of wealth belong to all of us, and that these community
resources must be actively protected and managed for the good
of all.
The commons are the things that we inherit and create jointly,
and that will (hopefully) last for generations to come. The
commons consists of gifts of nature such as air, oceans and
wildlife as well as shared social creations such as libraries,
public spaces, scientific research and creative works."
- from the "On the Commons" site - see below.
Global Commons Trust
"Our global economic system is now in grave crisis, threatening
the entire planet, its institutions and species.
"A new kind of common wealth is needed to protect the assets of
Earth, resolve our private and public debts, and create a global
society of justice, sharing and sustainability for everyone.
"Global Commons Trust promotes the creation of trusteeships,
where the rights to our commons may be realized for the benefit
of all. This promises a very different world than the ownership
society of exploitation and aggression so prevalent today.
When people claim the sovereign right to manage and revalue
their common goods, civilization is transformed."
On the Commons
"On the Commons (formerly Tomales Bay Institute) is a network
of citizens and organizations exploring new ways to achieve
social justice, environmental harmony and democratic
participation at all levels of society.
"The work of On the Commons takes many forms—from introducing
innovative public policies and economic initiatives to
supporting grassroots local action. We focus on a wide range
of issues, which reach deep into the realms of ecology,
economics, technology, politics, education, the arts and
day-to-day life in diverse communities.
"On the Commons looks to the commons itself as a model for
how we structure our organization, set our goals and chart
our progress. We are committed to moving beyond "me" to "we,"
and maintaining a sense of the whole as we direct our
energies toward particular projects."
"On Earth" Magazine
"Featuring great stories and great solutions from some of
the best journalists on the planet, OnEarth is a magazine
and website about the environment and its impact on how we
live -- and vice versa. Founded as The Amicus Journal in
1979 by the Natural Resources Defense Council, our
publication explores the challenges that confront our
world, the solutions that promise to heal it, and the way
we can use those solutions to improve our homes, our health,
our communities, and our future."
Mother Earth News
"The most popular and longest running sustainable-lifestyle
magazine, MOTHER EARTH NEWS provides wide-ranging, expert
editorial coverage of organic foods, country living, green
transportation, renewable energy, natural health and green
building. Lively, insightful and on the cutting edge,
MOTHER EARTH NEWS is the definitive read for the growing
number of Americans who choose wisely and live well. Watch
the video below from our friends at Sunflower Journeys for
more on our history and parent company, Ogden Publications."
Yes! Magazine
"YES! Magazine reframes the biggest problems of our time in
terms of their solutions. Online and in print, we outline a
path forward with in-depth analysis, tools for citizen
engagement, and stories about real people working for a
better world."