Named Projects
Please click on the link to go to the web sites for the named projects.
Bay Area California USA - John Morgan, a town planner and developer of low-income housing in Sonoma County, California is driving a project to build a 10,000 population VillageTown in the San Francisco Bay area of Northern California. He would like to see it happen in Sonoma County. Sonoma is known to have a strong environmental activist constituency and very tough regulations, and some might ask why not try an easier location. However, the point of VillageTowns is that their values are aligned with those found in Sonoma, and at one point it becomes important that activists move beyond No as the answer. John feels Sonoma would be a brilliant location to prove to California and the world how developments should be done. Having said this, the final decision on location will be determined by many factors, including the level of cooperation found at the county level.
Sydney Australia - The Sydney project anticipates a 10,000 population VillageTown within 2 hours of Sydney Airport. Presently indicators suggest looking north of the city, perhaps in the vineyard districts. Craig West is actively working on this project and at present is focusing on securing stage one financing. With a regional population of over 4 million, it can expect to draw a significant number of future citizens from the region. There is a reported housing shortage in Australia, thus making VillageTown developments more attractive due to their lower public infrastructure costs and lower demand for motor vehicle transport.
Melbourne Australia - Melbourne is a project being driven by Brian Fitzpatrick and like Sydney it is looking toward the north of the city, and also perhaps in the vineyard region. Brian is focusing on attracting future citizens, enrolling them to form the first of the twenty villages that creates a 10,000 population VillageTown. This approach suggests that if a village of 500 people (about 200 homes) is identified, representing about $50 million in purchasing power, the money and political attention, and the 19 additional villages that form the VillageTown will follow.
Auckland New Zealand - The Auckland regional project has been put on hold until it becomes clear what the implications are for the amalgamation of Auckland local governments into what is called the Super City (goes into effect in late 2010). In a country of 4 million, this "local" government for 1 million people more closely resembles a state. The majority of decision-making process appears to be vested in what are called Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) with directors appointed by Central Government rather than be elected by the local citizens. It is uncertain if such a large bureaucracy will be able to address the needs of a VillageTown. If it is found to be wanting, the Auckland project is likely to look north of the Super City, or possibly south toward Hamilton. If the Super City proves to be cooperative, the strongest candidate at present appears to be in the Warkworth / Matakana region. This project is being driven by Village Stewards Michael and Shar Henderson. Village Steward Andrew Blake is driving a recruitment effort for one village in this 10,000 population proposed project.
Upper Austria (Europe) - The Upper Austria project is moving slowly at present, as its coordinator, Josef Honauer explores the potential of a VillageTown in his home region.
Potential projects:
A Village Steward has stepped forward to propose an international VillageTown in Ecuador, perhaps near Cuenca. Such a VillageTown would involve both Ecuadorian and immigrant villages within the VillageTown and would probably have a strong industrial park as immigrants would be encouraged to bring light manufacturing businesses from other countries that would provide both employment and income from abroad. Claude Lewenz is considering visiting Ecuador during his trip to the USA in August or September.
In the Western USA - another western candidate is looking at Northern New Mexico, perhaps near Santa Fe. Village Steward Loren Lobbestael has stepped forward to help drive an American project. In addition, an American team formed to drive marketing of the VillageTown concept, with the primary focus being the new book, Life Liberty Happiness, to raise both awareness and investment capital. Claude Lewenz will be visiting the western states in August 2010 to evaluate the potential for establishing a project.
In addition to this archetype Western project, the Mayor and Chief Executive of a 7,000 population municipality in an urban region in Western USA read the book, How to Build a Village, met with Claude Lewenz in January 2010, and indicated they would be most interested in proceeding with a 12 acre micro-development in the middle of their jurisdiction. This project is of interest, and a dialogue has been opened. A Phoenix-based Village Steward with a long record of successful real estate development has expressed interest in driving this project.
The primary issue of concern with American projects has to do with the instability of the US economy and the potential that certain states, including California, may be declared bankrupt. On one hand, in such times, people seek the sort of security and tangible investment that a VillageTown provides. However, under such uncertainty, one must approach the territory with heightened vigilance to assure success.
There is discussion about VillageTowns in China, Spain (retrofitting an ancient community), Cornwall England and several other locations. However more energy is required for these to move beyond the discussion stage. In addition, there was high activity in both the Atherton Tablelands, above Cairns Australia, and in Golden Bay, New Zealand. However, for now these are deemed as second round sites, because they would draw almost all their future citizens from other places... the local population is insufficient to support many local people moving in. Focus for now is on the most likely showcase sites.
