Shifting the Focus from Infrastructure to Human Elements

Ecodorp Boekel, Netherlands

Recognising the benefits of being based in a moderate climate, Ecodorp Boekel is aware that they are one of the privileged who’s exposure to the effects of climate change has been limited so far. Additionally, the well-organized energy, water, transportation, and communication infrastructure of their country enables the ecovillage to be well-insured to cover setbacks and repairs. However, possibly as a result of this, the community notices the lack of a sense of urgency to build greater preparedness along with the broad and practical skill set to implement this. Even still, as a fairly young ecovillage, they began their design with climate change in mind by prioritising aspects such as insulation, energy storage, extreme weather preparedness which they see as a great advantage. Apart from developing a food forest and an edible landscape, and winding up affairs with the contractor, they understand that building a trusting community and a tribal culture will be preconditional to all other challenges. The resilience assessment process helped create an x-ray of the current status quo and a partially drawn map of the terrain and road ahead.