This seminar will place the concept of eco-communities, too often conceived of as rural, detached and ageographic, into urban space. By bringing in questions of social justice, participation and already-existing communities into dialogue with research on eco-communities the urban potential of intentional communities is more critically examined. Therefore this seminar would seek to understand what eco-communities are already contributing to the urban, and how future urbanism approaches might reshape some eco-community aims and practices.

Keynote: Professor Tendai Chitewere , San Francisco State University, USA

Prof. Tendai Chitewere examines the intersection of environmentalism, community, and justice. Chitewere has recently published a book (Sustainable Community and Green Lifestyles, 2018) that examined EcoVillage at Ithaca, USA, as a site of green consumption. She is particularly interested in the relationship between being green and being just, and the role of the urban in enabling inclusive and diverse participation in socio-environmental change. She will start the event by giving a keynote on ‘Eco-communities and Eco-Justice: a call for sustainable green lifestyle that is just’.

Respondent speakers:

Professor Vanesa Castan Broto (University of Sheffield)

This event is funded by Urban Studies Foundation Seminar Series Award.