Sustainable Practices Utilizing Ecovillage’s Concepts in Bendungan Village, Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Ecovillage is one of the holistic solution to solve environmental problems, which the concept and theory of sustainability is practiced. Ecovillage is a concept where the community have to manage the environment properly and all the activities have a positive impact on the environment. In practice, the ecovillage should follow four aspects as follow: Ecology, Economy, Social and Spiritual aspect, on which of each this aspect are evaluated and analyzed. This research is different from the existing research because it will assess four sustainability aspects of the ecovillage. This research focused its research on the West Java Environmental Agency’s Ecovillage program in Bendungan Village, Bogor Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Ecovillage programs in this village are interesting to research because it is the first top-down ecovillage program in Indonesia and the world. This research used Mixed Methods approach (quantitative and qualitative), secondary data review, direct observation and semi semi- structured interviewing to collect the data. This research found that human and environmental aspects are equally important and needed to achieve sustainability, the environment cannot sustain if the human are oppressed (socially or economically) and vice versa. Lastly, it also shows that sustainability is a very complex term, sustainability studies need to include the interactions between natural and social systems and to achieve sustainability, a project or a program should include human aspects as part of the project or program as human are resources to achieve sustainable development and also the part of the development target alongside environmental aspects.</jats:p