Would cooperative living help spread resources and be a way some people could solve the growing population problem?
After reading the UN report predicting over half the world will be living in urban areas by 2008, I began reminiscing about simpler times. Many of these city dwellers will of course be poor and no one is prepared for that.
Africa and Asia are predicted to have the most growth and by 2030 they will make up 81 percent of urban humanity. Slums will grow larger and the environment will become more damaged if something isn't done to help them solve their problems.
Some have simply denied people services in respond to growing migrations but that is obviously going to create other problems including anger, outrage and confrontations. Sensible suggestions are supplying health care, education and birth control to those who want and need it. While there aren't too many completed plans being made by authorities in developing nations on how to deal with the expansion, New York is developing a "strategic land use plan" to deal with their projected population increase. They also plan to improve their water supply, sanitation and air pollution, which would be a good idea regardless.
The simpler time I was reminiscing about was my experience in staying at a commune (Intentional Communities is what I think they're called now) for a few weeks. While I wasn't there long I have fond memories of the experience and it made a huge impression on me. My family might not agree with that choice of lifestyle but I do become wistful for a more peaceful simpler life and wonder if more people lived cooperatively if that would not help solve some issues. Most of them are ecologically sustainable and environmentally sensitive as well.
There was a group of about twenty people who stayed there regularly and everyone chose a task to do for about six hours out of the day. They were very self sufficient so the tasks could include gardening, creating hammocks, tin lamp shades, tending to the animals, making cheese......I'm sure I'm missing some but it's been 22 years since I've been there. I tried to locate them again years ago but they must have changed their name.
To be fair there is no reason why we couldn't live more cooperatively together in our own present communities either. When we encourage each other to recycle, share land for gardens and volunteer to watch each others children I suppose we are creating our own cooperative or intentional communities.
Resources: UN Report (Unleashing Potential of Urban Growth, 2007)
