Suvana Cohousing project vision statement
This is as agreed 16 October 2018, and revised 16 December 2023.
We would like to live together ethically in a sustainable community of independence, beauty and creativity, caring for each other and sharing our lives and resources. Our community will be guided by Buddhist values. We plan to be open to anyone who shares the principles laid out in this vision statement, whether labelling themselves Buddhist or not.
Value-based community
Our vision is to build a long-term community where we can live together, raise our children and grow old in a secure and supportive environment. We want this community to be inspired by and embody Buddhist values, based on loving-kindness, generosity, simplicity, truthful communication and mindfulness.
We want our buildings to be designed to reduce household energy bills, the impact on climate change and our carbon footprint, cool in summer and warm in winter. We want to be a community that shares resources so that we need fewer personal possessions.
By caring for one another, everyone has the opportunity to grow and learn together in friendship. This includes interest in each other’s welfare and wellbeing. At the same time we will share responsibility for the management of the project. Our community values will embody ideals of neighbourhood, belonging, community, connection, diversity, trust, collectivity and sustainability.
We recognise that creating a community, while bringing many joys and connections, can also involve conflicts. We will develop appropriate processes to address these should they arise.
Location
The location of our community will be within quick and easy access of Cambridge city centre, with good public transport links and access to cycle routes. We would prefer the location to be near a park or the countryside, ideally away from traffic noise and pollution.
People
We want to use this project to offer some homes to Triratna retirees at a cost that can be covered by housing benefit, particularly for those who have spent the majority of their working lives on Buddhist projects.
In addition, we are aware that due to housing costs it is difficult for many younger people to get access to having their own property, and so we will explore ways to be inclusive for this generation too. We very much want a multi-generational project and need to find ways to make this happen.
A wide range of people in terms of diversity in age, background, and circumstances will be welcome, and we will support all family structures (including children and pets).
Accommodation
The accommodation we are most likely to afford is a block of contemporary apartments. We would like to have a mix of 10-40 independent, self-contained homes with individual front doors providing privacy within a community setting. Alternatively it could be one or two floors in a larger building, in a development which incorporates rich nature throughout its spaces and buildings, and which enables low carbon living.
Most of the apartments will be one, two or three bedrooms and privately owned. We are exploring other ownership options.
We envisage a range of shared community facilities that could include: bike storage; shrine room; living space; kitchen and dining room; guest rooms; laundry; gym; art space and workshop. A Common House will be the centre of community activity and will provide space for eating together, games and entertainment, quiet relaxation, and for children to play safely. It is designed for daily use, to supplement private living areas. The design will preference spaces which encourage social interaction and are effective in enhancing community, with a keen sense of beauty and aesthetic.
For example, one aspect of intentional neighbourhood design we wish to follow is to be less car-centric, and to relegate cars and roads to the edge of the development. This would help foster a stronger community where children can play out, adults can get together, and people can use space productively and healthily.
Wider neighbourhood
We aspire to contribute positively to the local and wider community. In time we would like our community to develop into a model that other cohousing projects could benefit from.