earticle

영어

The paper presents the development process and community life of the Ecovillage 'Sanneoul' in South Korea. Sanneoul village is created for the returning urban dwellers back to the rural areas as well as for the prevention of the decrease in the rural population. The village has constructed ecological towns and architecture and the residents are living as a community. A total of about 50 meetings were held by the residents of the village to discuss the development of the village from the planning of the village to the completion. Public funds covered most of the village based costs and individuals only managed the costs of the house and land. The village made it possible for people to return back to the rural in cheap costs. The ecological elements within the village are the installation of rainwater recycling, grass blocks, rooftop gardens and ecological sewage disposal plant by preserving the most of the slanted regions. The ecological elements of the houses are the installation of the sunlight and solar heat system, garbage recycling, pellet boiler, fireplace, and ondol floor heating as well as recycling food waste and feces were actively practiced by the residents. The village residents were contented with the ecological elements of the village and have been participating in active use of the system. The library, fitness center and variety of groups of activities that are offered to the residents are the advantages of the village. However, there is also an obstacle of much dissimilarity among the residents in terms of age, profession and previous living environments. In order to maintain such community, considerate and collaborative custom peculiar to Korean rural areas and the residents' participation are necessary. Henceforth, the residents believe that with such participation a natural formation of a rural-life community will begin.