Why Humanity Should Look to Its Roots as We Revillage Our Towns and Cities
In our fast-paced and individualized society, we are facing alarming levels of mental health crises, loneliness, and anxiety. The very real threat of climate change poses additional challenges to our well-being. In response to these pressing issues, a movement called “Revillaging” is gaining momentum, with communities and individuals seeking inspiration from our ancestral villager past to reconstruct our modern towns and cities.
Mark Lakeman, an esteemed urban architect and permaculture pioneer, spearheads this movement. His vision is to reshape urban spaces and foster a sense of community akin to the communal living of our ancestors. Through the Planet Repair Institute and City Repair, a non-profit organization, he aims to create permanent community art and gathering spaces, transforming asphalt-covered streets into vibrant mini-parks adorned with beautiful mandalas and murals.
A central principle of revillaging is ensuring that residents can have all their needs met within a walkable distance. This means redesigning urban grids to operate at a “human scale,” reducing the compartmentalization of work, school, and home, which currently separates people from each other. By living in close-knit communities, we activate a spectrum of skills and talents at the local level, significantly reducing transportation emissions and promoting a more sustainable way of life.
Unfortunately, many major U.S. cities are struggling with limited space for public parks and squares, further exacerbating the disconnection among residents. The need for change becomes even more critical in the face of climate disasters that threaten our already stressed urban infrastructure.
Beth Berry, a writer and parenting educator, has been exploring the concept of revillaging from a family perspective. Her work on the impacts of the absence of a supportive “village” for mothers resonated widely, prompting her to offer online courses and coaching sessions aimed at helping people reintegrate communal values into their lives.
The revillaging movement also extends its benefits to homeless communities. Andrew Heben, an urban planner and tiny house builder, discovered that homeless encampments were often misunderstood, revealing surprisingly supportive, democratic, and organized communities. SquareOne Villages in Eugene, Oregon, serves as a model for low-income, tiny home villages. The organization establishes both temporary and permanent housing solutions, with a focus on affordability and sustainable homeownership models like community land trusts and limited equity co-ops.
The concept of revillaging calls us to return to our roots, embracing communal living, and fostering a sense of belonging and support. By redesigning our urban spaces and promoting sustainable practices, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. As we look to the past for inspiration, we have the opportunity to revitalize our towns and cities, forging a path toward a more interconnected and sustainable world.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
