Ecovillage how alternative of sustainable environmental organization: an evaluation of Piracanga, Bahia

Abstract

The existence of sustainable practices in ecovillages is the main assumption of this research paper. Ecovillages spread out trough many countries and continents show up as possible environmentally sustainable community organizations. However, very few methodologically designed studies have addressed environmental sustainability in terms of social, economic and natural resources dimensions of such an organization. This research paper aims to evaluate the level of the community environmental sustainability of Piracanga ecovillage, a rural community in Maraú municipality, at the Atlantic South Coast of Bahia, Brazil. By interviewing 32 out of 92 local residents, this research shows environmental sustainability level of the social, economic and natural resources dimensions, raises questions regarding the ecovilage sustainability, suggests improving indicators to grasp social and economic sustainability of the community environment, at the same time that recognizes on it innovative solutions that can be reproduced for the sake of a better social environment.