Presentations

It seems to me, from all the presentations over the past two weeks, that the healthiest community is a sustainable one. Most groups focused on areas that are creating community involvement by making greenspaces, work- living spaces or "co- housing" where everyone is living closer together. Is smaller better?
The community my group chose was the town of Okotoks, Alberta. Although we mentioned that becoming sustainable was a major focus of the town, we also showed how they were able to involve a lot of the residents. The town was expanding. I found it interesting there were no communities mentioned that came together to build a pulp mill, or an oil well. I'm sure they exist. A small town with a billion dollars worth of oil underneath them would band together to receive the largest possible profit, if it was on communal land. However, all examples, a few being Salt Springs, Milton and the co- housing project, were all about preventing mass expansion or losing environmental spaces.
It shows a shift is happening, a change in thought of the new generation. We are no longer focused on expanding and using all resources but rather, growing sustainably.
A few of the most interesting things mentioned in the projects were the Free Store, co- housing and charette process. I would really like to see how this Free Store works. I'm not going to lie, most of the crap I no longer use is, well, crap. I donate items to the Salvation Army because I figure that perhaps a homeless person would find the item acceptable for use or wear. My guess is that the store is based on moral decency, or shame. If you bring used goods into the store, the employees will be monitoring you. And seeing as how the population is so small, they will know who you are when you bring your holey underoos just to get rid of them!
On to co- housing. I wouldn't live there. I know that I am too superficial and private for that type of environment. Sure, I don't NEED my own lawnmower or guest room, but I want them. I also want a fenced in yard so that I don't have to talk to my neighbours. It seems a little university dorm like to me. I do enjoy the occasional block party, but it just isn't private enough...disease will spread.
The charette process seems a little fruitless to me due to the lack of participants. The idea is great, but I feel more of the citizens should want to participate for it to really make a difference. However, I suppose if the voice of a few is heard, it's better than none. There will be people who complain about the outcome, even though they didn't attend a meeting. Although, I don't remember ever attending a community meeting, I'm too busy watching my blue box.