a human settlement which is sustainable ecologically, economically, culturally, socially and spiritually

an urban or rural community whose members try to provide a high quality lifestyle without taking more from the Earth than they give back

a small rural or urban community that seeks to live sustainably environmentally, economically, socially and spiritually

a sustainable community , committed to living in an

a village-scale intentional community that intends to create, ecological, social, economic, and spiritual sustainability over several generations

Ecovillages are intended to be socially, economically and ecologically sustainable intentional communities. Most aim for a population of 50-150 individuals because this size is considered to be the maximum social network according to findings from sociology and anthropology (Hill & Dunbar, 2002). Larger ecovillages of up to 2,000 individuals may, however, exist as networks of smaller "ecomunicipalities" or subcommunities to create an ecovillage model that allows for social networks within a broader foundation of support.