1:22 “Most people don’t even realize they live in a housing development that was created for profit. Americans don’t know that they don’t have a single village heart or community gather place like a piazza for Italians, plaza for the Spanish, plas for French people, platz for German people or plateia for Greek people” When I was growing up I realized something like this was missing. Later on we would visit the next town over that had a downtown pedestrian mall and saw the difference it made. I’ve since found out many others noticed it too. There is a book called “Nonplaces”, if i recall correctly, that describe the phenomena of towns built around cars versus people.
Jacob's ladder. You need a pillar, a centerpiece, a gathering place, and orientation stone or structure like an obelisks or a large community painting on a road. Watch Jordan B Peterson's lecture on the psychological significance of Jacob's ladder if you want to know more on this topic. When they said "makes people feel happier" that's literally true.
a smart supermarket chain would get involved in this so they can service a cluster of such communities, provide some space for people to sell their produce too, have ordinances that restrict other chains.
I doubt it. If the land can be used for higher density housing, but people are opting for this type of housing for the aesthetics? That is not progress. Villages are not energy efficient or environmentally friendly. And not all, probably a majority of people probably don't want to grow their own food because they have better things to do. This is single family zoning - lite, wrapped in a palatable aesthetics, but still as damaging as suburbs.
I think about this nonstop. 😭 This is the stuff of my dreams! Amazing!! The US truly does not have community centers that encourage connectivity, growth, exchange, self expression, healing. These examples are cathartic.
Isn't it crazy that we don't all live like this...tgat our lives and communities are determined by developers whose primary purpose almost always is to make money? Portland is such an awesome outlier in this regard, and I love videos like this which allow us to share a better vision for the communities we would like to live in. Thank you!
We don't live like this largely because people are inconsiderate. Never underestimate the neighbor who thinks that his barking dog, his loud music, loud TV and screaming children are his right and that if it bothers others....too bad. This is the America we live in now. As long as I got mine, I don't care about yours....
@@suelyons531 I don't believe that. What came first, the inconsiderate neighbour, or the terrible urban non-community planning? It's easy to be ignorant (not you! the inconsiderate neighbour) in today's world, because it's designed with selfishness, or individualism, in mind. It fosters ignorance and inconsiderate behaviour. I think it would be difficult to be ignorant in this type of community setting, as it's designed out. A community where everyone sees one another and talks to one another regularly would soon establish rules and learn to maintain them without it having to be third-partied out to a police force. Obviously, there will always be one or two, but I'd expect a community like this - by design - to have fewer issues in that regard. Throughout humanity's existence people lived in this way, I see no reason that today would or should be any different. They handled disputes, rules etc within the community, and thrived for thousands of years doing so. Today's society is still young (a hundred years old in current form), and has a long way to go to match the longevity of previous civilisations. I think it's hubris to assume we can live in individual housing units, detached from one another, carted about by the power of hundreds of horses to be only consumers. To me, this video shows progress, and a future.
@@jc-depre That's very unusual Julio, for a human being. If you avoid people most of the time, however, then it wouldn't likely bother you if the concrete jungle cities were improved in the fashion of the video as you could likely extricate yourself from society in the countryside or wherever. I don't think it's the natural baseline for humans to be anti-social in this way.
@@jc-depre I do too, but I like a community to be there when I want it. I can have my quiet time and be alone, but I like to know people are working together on things and are there for each other in times of need. We don't need to be in each other's face all the time. I do acknowledge that everyone has their own way and needs, even within community. I respect your needs and your lifestyle. Interesting that you chose to watch this. What attracted you to it Julio?
I live in Scandinavia. This is probably the most common type of housing and ownership here in areas that arent very rural. It's just a no brainer really. Common facilities for laundry (timeslots booked online) where you can get 2 weeks worth of family laundry done in 3 hours saves energy and costs and is really handy. Bookable guest rooms for family visits, and space to host a private party when booked or a larger communal event is again, just so much more sensible to pool as a resource and it makes areas really safe, and a good standard of living affordable. Kids have friends and neighbors can be as engaged or passive as they like in the community ( save a couple meetings a year.) Bc its the norm here its not all idyllic and full of "organic food gardens" lol. As most of the country is rural (local food sources not far) and everyone works full time, and the growing season is 5-6 months tops, gardens in Co-ops tend to be more low maintenance, seasonal flowers, trees, shrubs, and common areas natural. But we also have a HUGE amount of so called allotments, that are co-ops as well were focus is all on gardening. For apartment dwellers and city folk. It's funny this villeage thing seems so radical in the US... But it's really true that in Europe most cities and suburbs have evolved organically and the piazza/public square/place etc has always been part of that, and in Scandinavia cities have lots of parks and green lots with trees between developments and blocks to keep the air clean, and provide nature for people, birdlife, pollinators, etc. This since way back in the day. Problem here is people are so impressed with the US. So it's easy for engineers and investors to convince politicians to build huge expensive developments where parks used to be bc you can plant trees on the roof (for penthouse owners/tennants only). 🙄
We have always had common spaces and little hotels, places you could rent for larger gatherings, but modern people don't seem to remember. In small towns all across America, you will find grange halls and their land which functioned as village meeting places. The suburbs were purposely designed with community places and parks. We have lost a lot, here in the US, with our developers prioritizing getting rich, but that doesn't mean these ideas never existed here.
@@marryellenmonahan5585 Giant central planning is not going to work in the US. Our governments are so corrupt that any kind of effort like this becomes lost, the money is pocketed or shuffled into the hands of giant corporations. When the people themselves take charge of their communities, that will change things.
I really enjoyed how he talks about community and village. I love to see and hear how local communities explore ways of creating safe, life-nurturing environments.
I love how cozy the landscaping makes the villages feel even though they have large houses which are also very pretty to look at being full of colours. To me the plants and trees and gathering places are what really makes this place very special. Shelter and food production plus beauty is the key to a happy life!
I forget when I started following your channel & your work but, I just want you to know that I adore your work. Your videos educate & points out that we can all improve where live while making the world a much better place. Focusing more on self-efficiency & the reuse of materials to make solutions that can save the planet as well as ourselves! Thank you for all your hard work & dedication. Take care & may the " FUTURE " be greater for all!
Absolutely amazing. I live in England but would love to see our residential areas transformed like this. Many people here like other countries do not know or engage with their neighbours. Not because they don't want to, but because the environment doesn't encourage or allow for it.
This is amazing. It reminds me of the historic centers of all the old major European cities in that they tend to be walkable and places of community gathering for many different purposes. The community gardening aspect is also very interesting and makes me think this type of village concept would be great in an off-grid setting. Also reminds me of the extended family communities of my parents' childhoods.
This is my hometown. Like all cities it does have a lot of problems, but it is also wonderful in a lot of ways (which you won't hear about in the news). These villages are a step in the right direction. We need more like them that are more affordable and more inclusive of other cultures (as much as they try...).
I hope you Portlanders create a better form of government to let experts on your city council instead of partisan politicians with no experience. Sadly, the reputation of your city has been destroyed with outsiders after months of riots. Newark, NJ's reputation never recovered, even 50 years later.
@@abelincoln5000 Trying to retake political structures is like catching a golden Phoenix, but we better try. And ultimately, opting out and doing as much as we can ourselves to create community, etc is a great way to avoid dealing with red tape. But the housing development issue really makes it tough. It is stifling, and I feel it everyday. I'm surrounded by a thousand people who don't speak to each other (my neighborhood). The HOA comes down on people who don't manicure their lawns to some unnatural standard. Let nature grow and assert itself!
@@abelincoln5000 As a native Portland, Oregonian our city was amazing until it became flooded by transplants from other states; which drove the housing prices making the low working class unable to afford living in their own established neighborhoods. This affected black/brown folks the most! This became the huge increase in homelessness.
Yes, we do hear some of the negative news stories about Portland. I sent this to a municipal counsellor I know in the next municipality over, as well as the town planner for that community. The counsellor commented that he would love to go on a tour of Portland to tour some the interesting community projects going on there. I said I'd be going with him!😊 He just announced that he will be running for the position of Reeve in the next election (the equivalent of Mayor in a rural community), so I would really live for this to happen! If you have any connections or other things we should check out I would love to hear about them!
This has been needed for too long. Thank you for helping make this dream a reality for so many poor, vulnerable homeless human beings who have been sadly forgotten n discarded like trash. God Bless you. We need this in Detroit. There are big open areas where this type of lil Village would fit in perfectly n help so many to improve their lives n give them a chance to get jobs n save money , etc... even to get cars n more for themselves n their families.
Several sound ideas throughout this video such as converting existing neighborhoods into intentional, somewhat-shared living spaces. Brilliant community efforts towards peaceful secure living and food sources.
The building at 13:50 was shown in its own video seven months ago. It is a communal food growing ecovillage apartment block. Rundown Apartments Reborn as Food Forest Coliving Agritopia.
Yeah, I was happy to see that the street reclaiming project at the end was in front of that eco-village/co-housing apartment complex that we saw a few months ago.
I’m inspired! I live in a cohousing community myself, but this video shows how these village communities have the potential to enrichen our lives in so many ways. Thank you! Liked and subscribed.
I loved this episode! Growing vegetables in your front yard, community garden, colorful and inviting way to live. Community at it's best! More of this please!
I crave your weekly videos because in all the chaos, hurry, uncertainty and isolation you provide inspiration that the world can be different and people are changing the status quo. Thank you for encouraging rest and reflection.
Another great video, Kirsten. I love these communities within communities you've been covering over the past few years. Keep up the awesome work, and happy Mothers day!
I’m very excited about this development in Portland and hope it turns into a nationwide movement. This is the future of sustainability and maintenance of family and social fabric. It’s also great news in dark times. Stay weird, Portland! You’re definitely onto something.
This is totally awesome! We are always looking for new ideas for neighborhoods in our area. The painted intersections will probably be on our town’s to-do list very soon. Thank you for sharing all of your videos with us; I am a big fan. 😊
It's simply an option. As one ages or is starting out, options to live with more green space, gardens and community is a choice for many. I live very rural, all my neighbors one acre or more, but one common ideal is meeting in each other's gardens. Talking fire, compost, water or other needs happens out of doors where one parcel blends into the next thru the common love of nature, gardening and common support.
This is ideal living to me. However I can't even envision this working on a more expansive level here in the US. We are consumed by excess and with being as far away from other people as possible, especially in recent years. Communities like this nationwide would alleviate a lot of issues.
These guys all belong to the same socio political economic group, this is what enables this. This wouldn't fly in diverse neighborhoods where people don't necessarily co-exist with as less friction.
The good news it's going on more than you think. City govts just dont like to talk about it, but its queitly happening. Look at the permaculture scene in Detroit for a good example, or the eco-hood project in Prescott.
Very interesting. I love the village idea. I grew up in the military and this reminds me of military housing. As an older single woman, I would love to live in a community like this.
At 11.20 there was a beautiful rainbow arching across the sky..how beautiful was that..in sequence with your amazing community housing project..well done I say..thankyou for sharing..❤
I love this so much ! Having grown up in Italy this idea of the piazza has always appealed to me and I am trying to recreate it again so this touches me very much . This video is so good , and the way this man is talking , his voice , his choice of words is really conducive of trust because from the heart . Thank you to share such good ideas , creative experimentations and possibilities ! You videos light me up 🎉❤
I LOVE her mini documentaries. No distracting background music, inviting natural pauses and moments of silence or the sound of movement (like walking on gravel, or stirring a pot, etc). I'm not an ASMR person, but this has that soothing, inviting, and contemplative quality that I imagine people get from ASMR.
Portland has always been ahead of most cities socially. I was born there and moved in 2012 to be closer to my mom and many other family members who had moved to Phoenix Az, mainly because of the constant rain in Portland. I can't stand the 9 months of rain but I am so sick of sunny weather. When Portland's homeless population began to explode, the whole country was judging but I just knew that Portland was just ahead and now it's happening everywhere. Portland is in solution mode now and what he said about power and people being a community rather than one man for himself is really the only way the entire country needs to see things so we can take back our lives and live exactly how we want to instead of working just to keep the lights on and fearing one another. If the rain wasn't so relentless, I would've moved back home years ago. I love Portland and it will always be my true home.
I lived in cohousing in Northern CA. For 6 years. It had a wonderful influence on me and my son. For example we developed much healthier eating habits. Also, we did community projects and children were included.
This is fantastic ! And I completely agree that we would benefit greatly from having small villages like that within our towns and big neighbourhoods. Even in France where we have this traditional approach with a central "Place", almost every new property project in small AND big cities are closed, without any shared space, or individual houses without any incentive to interact with others. So even we are drifting away from the benefits of a square, a "Place" or even safe small streets where kids can play around.
This honestly seems like such a lovely place to live! And this is coming from someone who thrives in self-iscolation. It gives space and opportunity for children and adults alike to socialize and thrive. It encourages community and positivity. Which, as shown in this community, also encourages the growth of a community garden which is beneficial to both health and finances since they'll be spending less at the grocery store & eating more healthy foods since it's growing right on their doorstep. Though I do agree with the top commenter that it needs to be rezoned for mixed use so that grocery stores and general stores are within walking distance.
This is a great concept that could be used in run down areas that have been neglected world wide. Thanks Kirsten for sharing and hopefully others watching this will be able to think about what our environments mean?
The Kevin Lynch bit was great. I'm a sucker for being greeted into and guided through an experience that's curated, yet can be interacted with in our own way. One thought I have when it comes to community, villages, communes, or co-ops is how people are personality wise. The section of the village where all the homes with big porches face each other along a sidewalk made me wonder if people who are a part of these groups are mostly extroverted? I'm not addressing it as a prerequisite, but I am curious to hear how an introvert might be able to coexist in these spaces. I might go digging for some answers now. Thanks Kirsten and Nicolas for a great video. Long time watcher, first time commenter. Looking forward to more, as always!
As former Portland residents, we're not sure walkability is the answer for all the issues the city has like crime and homeless encampments? How is this any different than townhouses that are crammed too close together which will result in noise issues?
You're right - walkability isn't the answer for Portland's other problems, but it's a start. And these communities are SO different from townhouses. # 1 - they are intentional. Google that for better definition than I could give. # 2 - can be stand-alone buildings. # 3 - Townhomes aren't generally intentional; don't have community & private gardens, don't have such huge front porches made for inviting neighbors in for a chat . . . . I do agree they're spendy for low income, but as the movement progresses, hopefully we'll catch up to Europe & be multi-generational and multi-aged, multi-income, too.
@@wofliedog Those buildings don't look any different than attached townhouses. There are some winding garden pathways (aka "gateways"), but since it's Portland, no doubt there will soon be homeless encampments sprouting up along the garden pathways?
Thanks for this video! I’ve been watching a lot of videos on Scandinavian and Dutch communities that center more pedestrian focused and community focused areas. It made me start to really doubt that the US could ever have something near what they have and it was dampening my soul! Seeing this, even if it’s super far from me (in south Florida), gives me hope! Now, how to get in on it?! 😁
this is wonderful---I had no idea such planned neighborhoods existed in Portland. Thank you so much for sharing this information. It gives me great hope.
You would consider if not living like this made me so introverted. If I could have the best of relations with at least a few neighbours as if they were relatives then it wouldn't be hard at all. In my observation, a large part of introversion is ego driven and from isolated well-off upbringing. Not saying it's easy to change any of that when you're adult (I certainly can't), but I could sure imagine it.
@@N0Xa880iUL As an introvert living with relatives are quite hard. I also rented with a few close friends and that was even worse. People often misunderstand introverts as being ego driven or even anti-social but this is far from the case. I never grew up well off or isolated and for most of my childhood grew up in a townhouse similar to this with lots of families and kids around. I was never anti-social and did enjoy socializing and hanging out with friends, It just tired me out really quickly. Never even had trouble making friends and was able to make friends pretty quickly, being social just drains my social battery. It is just natural(Some environmental factors could be at play but it is also genetic), each person is unique and different. This commune looks pretty great and I hope that more people take inspiration from it but it would definitely not be for everyone
Thinking of our history as a nation, settlers in areas all over the U.S. did a lot of cooperative "development". Think of the barn raisings that were so common when settlers came to the U.S. The whole community joined in. Ross Chapman's Pocket Neighborhoods have fascinated me for years. This is pretty much the same thing. With our current housing crisis, this would be a good option to consider. The kind of "pocket hood" would also encourage the neighbors to interact. I also noticed the comment about getting groceries and some good ideas were mentioned, perhaps something like a grocery store on wheels having some of the basics that people need all of the time. The commons would decrease isolation. Another great video from Kirsten. Thank you!
What does it mean to be able to turn an intersection into a public space? Let’s say u wanted to build a little skatepark in an intersection, how would cars go through? I’m down, just curious?
Wow, this is so inspiring! I lived in a co-housing like this in Seattle. There were some great things and some not so great things. I personally dreaded the walk down the public “path” because I would have to walk into people and have conversations! I would check if the coast was clear so I could get to my car without interactions. But we lived in one that had very bad relationships between the owners because of a construction problem that everyone lost their home investment money and had to sue the company that built the homes. But I have heard that other co-housing places were much happier than ours!
Nice. What A Dream to LIVE in. This would work of Everybody is on the SAME PAGE. A breath of fresh air amongst all the crazy world. Lucky you living in nice neighborhoods
I'd be interested to hear what the commonalities of culture that keep people together in these "villages" are, since like the example given, the Italian piazza, isn't it, nor are they commonalities of culture that such piazza were built around when actually built. I'd also like to hear what happens when someone thinks differently in such arrangements.
Listen, I`ve just started to follow your channel. You are some, I`d say. Very good content. I love it. My wife love it. My 6 years daughter love it. Thank you!!!!!
Kristen Dirksen Great Work!!! The cities of the future with the people of the future. Man cannot exist without man; therefore this concept is authentic and effective for the natural way of human development. This is a perfect example that a developed man does not need someone to rule him; he is able to do it perfectly himself.
Mark Lakeman is an architect on many of these projects also he is co-founder of the VBC events. VBC Village Building Convergence, this year is the 23 annual event?
Nice video, glad to see some people have a gardening friendly community. I have been focused on building healthy soil and learning to grow nutritionally dense food for decades. It has been a solo endeavor. Most people are sacrificing their health trying to amass a fortune, only to turn around and spend that fortune trying to regain their health. When I want to be around people I go to a popular restaurant. Yet, here in the NW USA few people interact even there.
1:22 “Most people don’t even realize they live in a housing development that was created for profit. Americans don’t know that they don’t have a single village heart or community gather place like a piazza for Italians, plaza for the Spanish, plas for French people, platz for German people or plateia for Greek people”
When I was growing up I realized something like this was missing. Later on we would visit the next town over that had a downtown pedestrian mall and saw the difference it made. I’ve since found out many others noticed it too. There is a book called “Nonplaces”, if i recall correctly, that describe the phenomena of towns built around cars versus people.
"Platz" for German I believe
@@maniakid thank you i’ve updated the comment
The key to place like this in Portland is a shared culture, but Portland has anything but that, and if you don't bow to the mob you'll get the boot.
Jacob's ladder. You need a pillar, a centerpiece, a gathering place, and orientation stone or structure like an obelisks or a large community painting on a road. Watch Jordan B Peterson's lecture on the psychological significance of Jacob's ladder if you want to know more on this topic. When they said "makes people feel happier" that's literally true.
So he created his housing development as 'not-for-profit'? Did he mention in the video how he paid for these developments?
This is progress, but it needs to be rezoned for mixed use. If you can't buy groceries within a ten-minute walk, you don't have a walkable village.
a smart supermarket chain would get involved in this so they can service a cluster of such communities, provide some space for people to sell their produce too, have ordinances that restrict other chains.
@@theuglykwan Just curious as the the rationale behind restricting other chains. Wouldn't having choices be better for residents?
I doubt it. If the land can be used for higher density housing, but people are opting for this type of housing for the aesthetics? That is not progress. Villages are not energy efficient or environmentally friendly. And not all, probably a majority of people probably don't want to grow their own food because they have better things to do. This is single family zoning - lite, wrapped in a palatable aesthetics, but still as damaging as suburbs.
@@jessek8114 what a bloviating preposterous fallacy.
@@jessek8114 Oh god reading that just made me sick. Not arguing if it's true or not but it's pretty sad.
I think about this nonstop. 😭 This is the stuff of my dreams! Amazing!! The US truly does not have community centers that encourage connectivity, growth, exchange, self expression, healing. These examples are cathartic.
SO true!
Isn't it crazy that we don't all live like this...tgat our lives and communities are determined by developers whose primary purpose almost always is to make money? Portland is such an awesome outlier in this regard, and I love videos like this which allow us to share a better vision for the communities we would like to live in. Thank you!
Definitely I think is better than concrete jungles, but this is not for everyone, I like my silence and avoid people most of the time
We don't live like this largely because people are inconsiderate. Never underestimate the neighbor who thinks that his barking dog, his loud music, loud TV and screaming children are his right and that if it bothers others....too bad. This is the America we live in now. As long as I got mine, I don't care about yours....
@@suelyons531 I don't believe that. What came first, the inconsiderate neighbour, or the terrible urban non-community planning? It's easy to be ignorant (not you! the inconsiderate neighbour) in today's world, because it's designed with selfishness, or individualism, in mind. It fosters ignorance and inconsiderate behaviour. I think it would be difficult to be ignorant in this type of community setting, as it's designed out. A community where everyone sees one another and talks to one another regularly would soon establish rules and learn to maintain them without it having to be third-partied out to a police force. Obviously, there will always be one or two, but I'd expect a community like this - by design - to have fewer issues in that regard. Throughout humanity's existence people lived in this way, I see no reason that today would or should be any different. They handled disputes, rules etc within the community, and thrived for thousands of years doing so. Today's society is still young (a hundred years old in current form), and has a long way to go to match the longevity of previous civilisations. I think it's hubris to assume we can live in individual housing units, detached from one another, carted about by the power of hundreds of horses to be only consumers. To me, this video shows progress, and a future.
@@jc-depre That's very unusual Julio, for a human being. If you avoid people most of the time, however, then it wouldn't likely bother you if the concrete jungle cities were improved in the fashion of the video as you could likely extricate yourself from society in the countryside or wherever. I don't think it's the natural baseline for humans to be anti-social in this way.
@@jc-depre I do too, but I like a community to be there when I want it. I can have my quiet time and be alone, but I like to know people are working together on things and are there for each other in times of need. We don't need to be in each other's face all the time. I do acknowledge that everyone has their own way and needs, even within community. I respect your needs and your lifestyle. Interesting that you chose to watch this. What attracted you to it Julio?
I live in Scandinavia. This is probably the most common type of housing and ownership here in areas that arent very rural. It's just a no brainer really. Common facilities for laundry (timeslots booked online) where you can get 2 weeks worth of family laundry done in 3 hours saves energy and costs and is really handy. Bookable guest rooms for family visits, and space to host a private party when booked or a larger communal event is again, just so much more sensible to pool as a resource and it makes areas really safe, and a good standard of living affordable. Kids have friends and neighbors can be as engaged or passive as they like in the community ( save a couple meetings a year.) Bc its the norm here its not all idyllic and full of "organic food gardens" lol. As most of the country is rural (local food sources not far) and everyone works full time, and the growing season is 5-6 months tops, gardens in Co-ops tend to be more low maintenance, seasonal flowers, trees, shrubs, and common areas natural. But we also have a HUGE amount of so called allotments, that are co-ops as well were focus is all on gardening. For apartment dwellers and city folk.
It's funny this villeage thing seems so radical in the US...
But it's really true that in Europe most cities and suburbs have evolved organically and the piazza/public square/place etc has always been part of that, and in Scandinavia cities have lots of parks and green lots with trees between developments and blocks to keep the air clean, and provide nature for people, birdlife, pollinators, etc.
This since way back in the day. Problem here is people are so impressed with the US. So it's easy for engineers and investors to convince politicians to build huge expensive developments where parks used to be bc you can plant trees on the roof (for penthouse owners/tennants only).
🙄
Why does communal laundry save energy?
US needs to follow the social democracy of your country 🙏
@@theuglykwan embedded energy of the appliances and reduced footprint of the building.
We have always had common spaces and little hotels, places you could rent for larger gatherings, but modern people don't seem to remember. In small towns all across America, you will find grange halls and their land which functioned as village meeting places. The suburbs were purposely designed with community places and parks. We have lost a lot, here in the US, with our developers prioritizing getting rich, but that doesn't mean these ideas never existed here.
@@marryellenmonahan5585 Giant central planning is not going to work in the US. Our governments are so corrupt that any kind of effort like this becomes lost, the money is pocketed or shuffled into the hands of giant corporations. When the people themselves take charge of their communities, that will change things.
I really enjoyed how he talks about community and village. I love to see and hear how local communities explore ways of creating safe, life-nurturing environments.
Modern human society has rediscovered "the village".
cue music
I love how cozy the landscaping makes the villages feel even though they have large houses which are also very pretty to look at being full of colours. To me the plants and trees and gathering places are what really makes this place very special. Shelter and food production plus beauty is the key to a happy life!
I forget when I started following your channel & your work but, I just want you to know that I adore your work. Your videos educate & points out that we can all improve where live while making the world a much better place. Focusing more on self-efficiency & the reuse of materials to make solutions that can save the planet as well as ourselves! Thank you for all your hard work & dedication. Take care & may the " FUTURE " be greater for all!
Absolutely amazing. I live in England but would love to see our residential areas transformed like this. Many people here like other countries do not know or engage with their neighbours. Not because they don't want to, but because the environment doesn't encourage or allow for it.
I don't want , but good for you
This is amazing. It reminds me of the historic centers of all the old major European cities in that they tend to be walkable and places of community gathering for many different purposes. The community gardening aspect is also very interesting and makes me think this type of village concept would be great in an off-grid setting. Also reminds me of the extended family communities of my parents' childhoods.
This is my hometown. Like all cities it does have a lot of problems, but it is also wonderful in a lot of ways (which you won't hear about in the news). These villages are a step in the right direction. We need more like them that are more affordable and more inclusive of other cultures (as much as they try...).
I live outside Portland an hour’s drive and only hear the negative on the news. I had no idea people were doing this! So smart!
I hope you Portlanders create a better form of government to let experts on your city council instead of partisan politicians with no experience. Sadly, the reputation of your city has been destroyed with outsiders after months of riots. Newark, NJ's reputation never recovered, even 50 years later.
@@abelincoln5000 Trying to retake political structures is like catching a golden Phoenix, but we better try. And ultimately, opting out and doing as much as we can ourselves to create community, etc is a great way to avoid dealing with red tape. But the housing development issue really makes it tough. It is stifling, and I feel it everyday. I'm surrounded by a thousand people who don't speak to each other (my neighborhood). The HOA comes down on people who don't manicure their lawns to some unnatural standard. Let nature grow and assert itself!
@@abelincoln5000 As a native Portland, Oregonian our city was amazing until it became flooded by transplants from other states; which drove the housing prices making the low working class unable to afford living in their own established neighborhoods. This affected black/brown folks the most! This became the huge increase in homelessness.
Yes, we do hear some of the negative news stories about Portland. I sent this to a municipal counsellor I know in the next municipality over, as well as the town planner for that community. The counsellor commented that he would love to go on a tour of Portland to tour some the interesting community projects going on there. I said I'd be going with him!😊 He just announced that he will be running for the position of Reeve in the next election (the equivalent of Mayor in a rural community), so I would really live for this to happen! If you have any connections or other things we should check out I would love to hear about them!
This has been needed for too long. Thank you for helping make this dream a reality for so many poor, vulnerable homeless human beings who have been sadly forgotten n discarded like trash. God Bless you. We need this in Detroit. There are big open areas where this type of lil Village would fit in perfectly n help so many to improve their lives n give them a chance to get jobs n save money , etc... even to get cars n more for themselves n their families.
Several sound ideas throughout this video such as converting existing neighborhoods into intentional, somewhat-shared living spaces. Brilliant community efforts towards peaceful secure living and food sources.
Very much the environment I grew up in. I loved it.
The building at 13:50 was shown in its own video seven months ago. It is a communal food growing ecovillage apartment block.
Rundown Apartments Reborn as Food Forest Coliving Agritopia.
Yeah, I was happy to see that the street reclaiming project at the end was in front of that eco-village/co-housing apartment complex that we saw a few months ago.
I’m inspired! I live in a cohousing community myself, but this video shows how these village communities have the potential to enrichen our lives in so many ways. Thank you! Liked and subscribed.
I loved this episode! Growing vegetables in your front yard, community garden, colorful and inviting way to live. Community at it's best! More of this please!
Mark has been at this for a very long time. He’s the best!
Kirsten You ROCK 💪🏽 great inspiring eye . Happy Mothers day too ! 💖
I’m from Italy, and for completing the process to transform street intersection to piazza some benches and a fountain would help a lot
I love everything about this. Grateful to people like this man. More developments should be like this!
Mark Lakeman is an amazing visionary. I have had many workshops with him and learned something new every time.
Thank you for showing his villages.
Once again Kirsten (and Team/husband), a much enjoyed experience. A humble perspective; a peer into others search for a good life.
I crave your weekly videos because in all the chaos, hurry, uncertainty and isolation you provide inspiration that the world can be different and people are changing the status quo. Thank you for encouraging rest and reflection.
Another great video, Kirsten. I love these communities within communities you've been covering over the past few years. Keep up the awesome work, and happy Mothers day!
I love this idea ,it’s a wonderful idea, I might be too insular to live in a place like this but love the the promotion to human health and happiness.
I’m very excited about this development in Portland and hope it turns into a nationwide movement. This is the future of sustainability and maintenance of family and social fabric. It’s also great news in dark times. Stay weird, Portland! You’re definitely onto something.
I love this this village lifestyle gives togetherness and productivity
This model of living makes total sense. Thanks for the informative clip.
This is totally awesome! We are always looking for new ideas for neighborhoods in our area. The painted intersections will probably be on our town’s to-do list very soon. Thank you for sharing all of your videos with us; I am a big fan. 😊
It's simply an option. As one ages or is starting out, options to live with more green space, gardens and community is a choice for many. I live very rural, all my neighbors one acre or more, but one common ideal is meeting in each other's gardens. Talking fire, compost, water or other needs happens out of doors where one parcel blends into the next thru the common love of nature, gardening and common support.
Yes... it's all choice.
This makes so excited. Can't wait for this trend to catch on on across the US.
This is ideal living to me. However I can't even envision this working on a more expansive level here in the US. We are consumed by excess and with being as far away from other people as possible, especially in recent years. Communities like this nationwide would alleviate a lot of issues.
These guys all belong to the same socio political economic group, this is what enables this. This wouldn't fly in diverse neighborhoods where people don't necessarily co-exist with as less friction.
"Brick by brick my citizens"... it started with a thought and other like minded visionaries... as long as one moves to change, it will become.
@@Rem_NL lmao just say white
@@HUSKSUPPE Thats pretty racist
The good news it's going on more than you think. City govts just dont like to talk about it, but its queitly happening. Look at the permaculture scene in Detroit for a good example, or the eco-hood project in Prescott.
Love all of this so very much!!! How cool to have more of these initiatives!!! 👏🏻💃🏼👏🏻🇨🇦
Very interesting. I love the village idea. I grew up in the military and this reminds me of military housing. As an older single woman, I would love to live in a community like this.
At 11.20 there was a beautiful rainbow arching across the sky..how beautiful was that..in sequence with your amazing community housing project..well done I say..thankyou for sharing..❤
Another fascinating living space. Thank for showing us so many interesting places and ideas!
Over the last couple years I’ve learned that it would be pretty nice to live in a village. Great subject matter.
I'd love to live somewhere like this. I believe community is sorely missing from society these days, which unravels the whole fabric of how we live.
This video is speaking about concepts we all want in our world. Just imagine!
Thank you for this, Kirsten.
I love this so much ! Having grown up in Italy this idea of the piazza has always appealed to me and I am trying to recreate it again so this touches me very much . This video is so good , and the way this man is talking , his voice , his choice of words is really conducive of trust because from the heart . Thank you to share such good ideas , creative experimentations and possibilities ! You videos light me up 🎉❤
This is so wonderful to see! Thank you for documenting and sharing these stories of hope! 💖
Thank you for showing the successes as they are few and relatively unspoken of by mass media.
I LOVE her mini documentaries. No distracting background music, inviting natural pauses and moments of silence or the sound of movement (like walking on gravel, or stirring a pot, etc).
I'm not an ASMR person, but this has that soothing, inviting, and contemplative quality that I imagine people get from ASMR.
Building a better world. It’s beautiful. Thank you!
Portland has always been ahead of most cities socially. I was born there and moved in 2012 to be closer to my mom and many other family members who had moved to Phoenix Az, mainly because of the constant rain in Portland. I can't stand the 9 months of rain but I am so sick of sunny weather. When Portland's homeless population began to explode, the whole country was judging but I just knew that Portland was just ahead and now it's happening everywhere. Portland is in solution mode now and what he said about power and people being a community rather than one man for himself is really the only way the entire country needs to see things so we can take back our lives and live exactly how we want to instead of working just to keep the lights on and fearing one another. If the rain wasn't so relentless, I would've moved back home years ago. I love Portland and it will always be my true home.
More of this please! The world is crying out for more...
I lived in cohousing in Northern CA. For 6 years. It had a wonderful influence on me and my son. For example we developed much healthier eating habits. Also, we did community projects and children were included.
This is fantastic ! And I completely agree that we would benefit greatly from having small villages like that within our towns and big neighbourhoods.
Even in France where we have this traditional approach with a central "Place", almost every new property project in small AND big cities are closed, without any shared space, or individual houses without any incentive to interact with others. So even we are drifting away from the benefits of a square, a "Place" or even safe small streets where kids can play around.
This honestly seems like such a lovely place to live! And this is coming from someone who thrives in self-iscolation. It gives space and opportunity for children and adults alike to socialize and thrive. It encourages community and positivity. Which, as shown in this community, also encourages the growth of a community garden which is beneficial to both health and finances since they'll be spending less at the grocery store & eating more healthy foods since it's growing right on their doorstep.
Though I do agree with the top commenter that it needs to be rezoned for mixed use so that grocery stores and general stores are within walking distance.
This is beautiful!!!
This is a great concept that could be used in run down areas that have been neglected world wide. Thanks Kirsten for sharing and hopefully others watching this will be able to think about what our environments mean?
The Kevin Lynch bit was great. I'm a sucker for being greeted into and guided through an experience that's curated, yet can be interacted with in our own way. One thought I have when it comes to community, villages, communes, or co-ops is how people are personality wise. The section of the village where all the homes with big porches face each other along a sidewalk made me wonder if people who are a part of these groups are mostly extroverted? I'm not addressing it as a prerequisite, but I am curious to hear how an introvert might be able to coexist in these spaces. I might go digging for some answers now.
Thanks Kirsten and Nicolas for a great video. Long time watcher, first time commenter. Looking forward to more, as always!
This is amazing. Thank you for capturing and sharing!
I would love this for me and my daughter. True community.
Thank you for offering a glimpse of the housing communities in nearby Portland!
Charming whimsical lovely concept that really enriches the lives of all who reside within the beautiful spaces.
Hola Kirsten. Genial tu trabajo...muchas gracias..! Excelente estos proyectos, mas sanos..mas vivos..mas natural.! Gracias!!!
This is awesome! Thank you 🙏
Awesome work, Mark 👏 I remember you from the City Repair/Depave days and our first painted intersection.
As former Portland residents, we're not sure walkability is the answer for all the issues the city has like crime and homeless encampments? How is this any different than townhouses that are crammed too close together which will result in noise issues?
You're right - walkability isn't the answer for Portland's other problems, but it's a start. And these communities are SO different from townhouses. # 1 - they are intentional. Google that for better definition than I could give. # 2 - can be stand-alone buildings. # 3 - Townhomes aren't generally intentional; don't have community & private gardens, don't have such huge front porches made for inviting neighbors in for a chat . . . . I do agree they're spendy for low income, but as the movement progresses, hopefully we'll catch up to Europe & be multi-generational and multi-aged, multi-income, too.
@@wofliedog Those buildings don't look any different than attached townhouses. There are some winding garden pathways (aka "gateways"), but since it's Portland, no doubt there will soon be homeless encampments sprouting up along the garden pathways?
Applaud this great idea to go back and reunite people as use to be long time ago ... Thanks for the motivation to replicate this .
Thanks for this video! I’ve been watching a lot of videos on Scandinavian and Dutch communities that center more pedestrian focused and community focused areas. It made me start to really doubt that the US could ever have something near what they have and it was dampening my soul! Seeing this, even if it’s super far from me (in south Florida), gives me hope! Now, how to get in on it?! 😁
It’s great to see this & must be wonderful to live in such an environment! Thank you!
Really beautiful and informative - thank you so much for posting this!
this is wonderful---I had no idea such planned neighborhoods existed in Portland. Thank you so much for sharing this information. It gives me great hope.
These are very cool and good for some people but myself I couldn't take having people come right up in my yard all the time. I guess I'm an introvert.
You would consider if not living like this made me so introverted. If I could have the best of relations with at least a few neighbours as if they were relatives then it wouldn't be hard at all. In my observation, a large part of introversion is ego driven and from isolated well-off upbringing.
Not saying it's easy to change any of that when you're adult (I certainly can't), but I could sure imagine it.
@@N0Xa880iUL as if they were relatives? That's the worst! Haha
@@N0Xa880iUL As an introvert living with relatives are quite hard. I also rented with a few close friends and that was even worse. People often misunderstand introverts as being ego driven or even anti-social but this is far from the case. I never grew up well off or isolated and for most of my childhood grew up in a townhouse similar to this with lots of families and kids around. I was never anti-social and did enjoy socializing and hanging out with friends, It just tired me out really quickly. Never even had trouble making friends and was able to make friends pretty quickly, being social just drains my social battery. It is just natural(Some environmental factors could be at play but it is also genetic), each person is unique and different. This commune looks pretty great and I hope that more people take inspiration from it but it would definitely not be for everyone
@@craigvandenbergh9634 Agreed
I absolutely LOVE this ❤️ !!!
Lovely, wonderful places to live. Love Oregon, went to college there ! A move may be in my future.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 😘 😘 😘 😘 😘 ( CHICLAYO PERU 🇵🇪 )
Thinking of our history as a nation, settlers in areas all over the U.S. did a lot of cooperative "development". Think of the barn raisings that were so common when settlers came to the U.S. The whole community joined in. Ross Chapman's Pocket Neighborhoods have fascinated me for years. This is pretty much the same thing. With our current housing crisis, this would be a good option to consider. The kind of "pocket hood" would also encourage the neighbors to interact. I also noticed the comment about getting groceries and some good ideas were mentioned, perhaps something like a grocery store on wheels having some of the basics that people need all of the time. The commons would decrease isolation. Another great video from Kirsten. Thank you!
This is a beautiful way to live. I personally would want more land … but little villages like this is how we need to utilize space in cities.
What a hopeful and fulsome message.
Beautiful! Thank you for this video 😍
Don't like buildings too close to each other. People need their space. Community is nice but privacy is a treasure.
God bless Mark Lakeman!
I love the street painting what a fabulous idea.
What does it mean to be able to turn an intersection into a public space? Let’s say u wanted to build a little skatepark in an intersection, how would cars go through? I’m down, just curious?
Amazing! Great video
This is your best episode ever😄😄😉🙃 Fabulous! It gave me a bout of Stendahl syndrome❤❤
More videos like this, please. Thanks!
Thank you - fascinating! Bravo Portland 👏🏻
❤❤❤ HOORAY!!! YES!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!! Mahalo nui for the inspiration!! ❤❤❤
I wish I had wealth to build this!
I’ve only seen these villages online, but I’ve daydreamed about them.
🌠🙏💐💖🌌
As most everyone have noticed they are ideal for many reasons, but a step in the right direction.
Bravo! I would definitely invest in an idea like this.
Whoa! You featured my old neighborhood! I literally lived behind the Naked City boutique on Belmont!
Wow, this is so inspiring! I lived in a co-housing like this in Seattle. There were some great things and some not so great things. I personally dreaded the walk down the public “path” because I would have to walk into people and have conversations! I would check if the coast was clear so I could get to my car without interactions. But we lived in one that had very bad relationships between the owners because of a construction problem that everyone lost their home investment money and had to sue the company that built the homes. But I have heard that other co-housing places were much happier than ours!
Bravo platia. Thanks for all your hard work.
👍😀💭
Nice. What A Dream to LIVE in. This would work of Everybody is on the SAME PAGE. A breath of fresh air amongst all the crazy world. Lucky you living in nice neighborhoods
This is really nice. What a beautiful community.
I'd be interested to hear what the commonalities of culture that keep people together in these "villages" are, since like the example given, the Italian piazza, isn't it, nor are they commonalities of culture that such piazza were built around when actually built.
I'd also like to hear what happens when someone thinks differently in such arrangements.
Listen, I`ve just started to follow your channel. You are some, I`d say. Very good content. I love it. My wife love it. My 6 years daughter love it. Thank you!!!!!
Kristen Dirksen Great Work!!! The cities of the future with the people of the future. Man cannot exist without man; therefore this concept is authentic and effective for the natural way of human development. This is a perfect example that a developed man does not need someone to rule him; he is able to do it perfectly himself.
I am from a small village in the Midwest. And yes, people are much more connected with each other and are healthy when we live in villages.
Mark Lakeman is an architect on many of these projects also he is co-founder of the VBC events. VBC Village Building Convergence, this year is the 23 annual event?
Nice video, glad to see some people have a gardening friendly community. I have been focused on building healthy soil and learning to grow nutritionally dense food for decades. It has been a solo endeavor. Most people are sacrificing their health trying to amass a fortune, only to turn around and spend that fortune trying to regain their health. When I want to be around people I go to a popular restaurant. Yet, here in the NW USA few people interact even there.
Fantastic episode!!
Love this.