Tonight at 7.30pm at Pitanga a book event, Blood, Sweat and Tears - a debut novel by a young Chennai author Arya Rajam. Saturday . morning 9:30 -12:30 at Unity Pavilion in International Zone University of Human Unity is holding A Seminar on the practical and theoretical interpretation of Art and Music In search of Integral Paradigm of Knowledge - Exploring the artistic approach to Knowledge . Led by Ladislav and Pushkar. Open Houses - TLC 25th April at 3pm at Fertile and on 26.4. Mohanam Kindergarten in Sanjeevi Nagar village 5.30 and 7pm Read more

Louis Cohen nous raconte son histoire, sa rencontre avec Mere, l'evolution d'Auroville et sa facon d imaginer le developpement de la ville. Aujourd hui Louis laisse parler son coeur et nous presente son projet d'urbanisation pour creer des logements tout equipes pour les Aurovilliens. Je l ai rencontre a Auroville, et c'est avec chaleur et douceur, qu'il prend le temps de repondre a mes questions dans la cafeteria de Citadines. Louis souhaite integrer l'ecologie dans le developpement de la ville et des futurs logements des aurovilliens. Read more

As we all know housing is a big problem at the moment in Auroville. But with this new housing project there is light at the end of the tunnel. This project will provide 20 flats for single, couples and families starting from Rs 13 lakhs. There is also provision for modular office spaces. In this phase they will incorporate a new and innovative building technology called Light Steel Frame (LSF) for the structure. This technology is known for faster construction and its cost-effectiveness. Read more

As a part of Sustainable Habitats - architecture programs for professionals, organized by Auroville Green Practices Workshop with Auroville Consulting this morning three speakers addressed aspect of renewable sources of energy. Toine was presenting Sustainable Urban Energy Solutions, Joerg was talking on solar PV installations and from Satprem's office Amanda was going deeper into embodied energy in the buildings Read more

One more energetic morning session focused on dissolving polarities with Elvira and Luigi - this time without B, who is mending his back. Be well, B! With them in the studio are three coordinators of the freshly selected Town Development Council L'Avenir D'Auroville: Abha P (communication and consultation coordinator), Nicole (socio-economic planning coordinator) and Sauro (overall coordination). The conversation zoomed in on the challenge of mobility - a topic central to the overarching theme of how to best manifest the city the earth needs. Read more

A very interesting presentation and a further discussion about the different challenges to achieve a smart housing culture. The pursuit of a balance between sustainability , budget, local materials, personal needs in local housing and other different variables that are included in the great challenge of innovation in the way we build and design our cities and buildings. Anumapa, with many years of experience on architecture and sustainability , offers a great presentation that opens an interest discussion. Join it! Read more

In this presentation Martine gives an overview of world heritage sites and how they got their status. Which criterion Auroville fits to and the process to get recognition. If the Auroville would get the World Heritage site status from UNESCO that would bring world wide recognition from 190 countries. Along with many benefits it will also provide Auroville with land protection. Some negative aspects would be in influx of tourist. The presentation concludes with a question and answer session. Read more

Auroville Integral Sustainability Institute shares the experience of hosting 2 different groups of visiting planning students from Queens University, Canada & CEPT, Ahmedabad - ‘It was very enriching for all’, says Lalit, Programme coordinator. Auroville being an inspiring & interdisciplinary learning field provided very conducive environment to experience a different way of life which gave them a very real life glimpse of integral life & sense of purpose. Read more

In the new energy of 2013, Elvira, Luigi and B are back on the air attempting to ground Auroville values together with Mona and Peter A, both architects and former Dreamcatchers. Picking up the threads from the series of former conversations, the focus is on the links and missing links, small steps and quantum leaps to manifest the city the earth needs. Mona, with her experience as a former L’Avenir d’Auroville member, shares the intricacies of planning in the Auroville parameters. Read more

In today's news we're featuring Paulette who is currently working on exhibition to be put up in Town Hall on architecture in Ottawa with its public buildings. On 29th December at 5.30 pm at the Town Hall Conference Room Accessible Auroville will present a 30-minute video "Sometimes I can fly", about Alex's one-day Auroville adventure. the same day at 5pm at MultiMedia Center in Town Hall the French Pavilion and CIRHU presents « Pioneers of humanity: from dream to technology » , talk by Jean François Noubel (founder of CIRI) Read more

Past Saturday Auroville Radio attended to the International House to birthday party of one of our favourite Aurovillians, B., and the happenings around it . There we inaugurate a recycled house, we saw the fabulous performance of the percussion band Butterfly, we talked with B. about his project and the zero waste, we raised a Shinto gate, paint the bricks of the Thrash Mahal, Sang Happy Birthday, and of course, eat delicious cake and drink some tea in a friendly and great atmosphere. Enjoy it! Read more

Auroville Radio is glad to show you the presentation of the last housing project from Satprem Maini, the Green Casbah, a complex of 40 apartments of different sizes. Located near Realization, Prayatna and The Solar Kitchen, the Green Casbah is planned to be finished at 2015, being a good option for Aurovilians and Newcomers looking for low cost housing based alternative and ecological constructive techniques. Here you will enjoy the audio, while taking a look to the pdf of the project plans. To download the presentation click here. Read more

In today's news we feature interview with Satprem from the Auroville Earth Institute just after his presentation of the new housing project Green Casbah. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the de jure transfer of the French Establishments in India to the Union of India (August 1962), the Pavillon de France à Auroville and the Central University of Pondicherry (Centre for European Studies) are organizing a two-day seminar on the theme “The Treaty of Cession (1962) — Fifty Years Later, Pondicherry and France”. Read more

With the threat of a cyclone looming, some dedicated Aurovilians met in a forum to dissolve polarities and revisit the spirit of the Dreamcatcher's work. David (Luminosity) was there to speak to the process of the Dreamcatchers and the essence of its success. Nevi, Agnes and Gopal came from Darkali. B, Luigi the hosts, extending this exercise to a bigger group. Some initial resistance captured the focus of the discussion to reflect on our reactions and general process in Auroville, moving toward utter honesty and transparency. Read more

After a long selection process by the Selection Committee, names of the new L'Avenir d'Auroville Town Development Council were announced to the community. At the General Meeting at Unity Pavilion in the International Zone residents had the chance to meet most of the new members. The introduction was set up to allow each of the residents to interact with the team, by asking questions to set precedence on certain issues. It was clear that residents request most of all clear communication and interaction from the new team. Read more

Listen in to B and Luigi's sixth discussion regarding the progress and plans of Auroville. Hosted by Marlenka, this week's program features discussion of Auroville's potential as a green city and what the values are of such a place. The popular discussion of concrete vs. greenery is touched upon, as is how we, as Aurovililans, can meet and plan and actually manifest those plans. Planned to further enliven these dialogues is to invite various residents who now reside in the city centre, to get their viewpoints. Read more

B and Luigi resume their dialogue in the fifth of an ongoing series , today touching on the lake-to-be surrounding Matrimandir and upon the city centre. Luigi stresses the point that the lake water will be sourced from either rainwater harvesting, or through the use of desalinized water. Not at all from Auroville's underground reservoir of potable water. Read more

Here Tanmay Tathagat talks about the practical ways of designing buildings to minimise the use of embodied energy and to maximise energy savings. The affluent countries have to cut down on their resource use, while the developing countries must aspire for a better quality of life but without taking the same wasteful resource-intensive path taken by the affluent nations. To download the presentation click here. Principal, Edsglobal. www.agp.aurovilleconsulting.com/speakers Read more

Building Energy. Auditing & Management. Here Dr. Brahmanand Mohanty tells us how to move towards far more efficient use of energy in habitats. 4 areas to implement changes: individual lifestyles, architectural design and planning, use of energy efficient appliances, implementation of renewable energy systems. He shows us how it is possible for us to have comfort for better. To download the presentation click here. - Visiting Faculty, Asian Institute of Technology. www.agp.aurovilleconsulting.com/speakers

Featured is number 4 of Luigi and B in their series of dialogues, today to try to focus on the difference between the Master Plan and the Galaxy. This ongoing series offers understanding and insights from two senior Aurovilians, united in their sincerity to see the city grow yet differing in their approaches. Continuation of their dialogue will take place each Tuesday, for the foreseeable future.This discussion in its entirety can be heard as a program, published later today. Read more

Pioneer Aurovilians Luigi and B continue their dialogue on the topic of building Auroville in harmony between Aurovililans and midst a green environment; this is the third in a series which will continue for some time, as it seems to flow over differences in understanding in a friendly sort of sparring manner, uncovering points ususally unknown or overlooked. Luigi brings to light that many of us haven't even read the Auroville Master Plan, certainly must-read before commenting on what is and what should be. Find it at www.auroville.info Read more

After a break of several weeks, Luigi and B resume their dialogue. Discussed today: the topic of 'yantra' as well as communication and goodwill as necessary components in successful decision making, and the desired synthesis of constructing solid structures along with a green environment. B points out that we can have it all.

The Selection Committee for choosing L'Avenir d'Auroville 2012 is completed, - Jeff (Farm Group) Agnes (Forest Group) Ananda (ABC) Daniel (ABC) Isha (ABS) Anandi (ABS) Eva (AVC). Guna (AVC) Andy (L'Avenir outgoing) Luigi (L'Avenir previous) Mita (RA) Selvam (RA) Fabian (RA) Mr. Dattatri (L'Avenir d'Auroville Advisory Committee) , and they started wiht work this morning, and it should be finished by the 31st of July. On Wedensday at 4.30pm at Unity Pavilion in International Zone we will continue with collective priorities meeting. Read more

Yesterday Residents Assembly brought the results of our votes for the choice of the preferences on the Study Group's L'Avenir d'Auroville/TDC selection process proposal. Out of 274 votes, 27 were invalid, 197 votes Yes, and 50 No. For decision to be valid is needed 10% of adult population, which is 1790 people. Although it was a discussion in the beginning due to the small number of participants on the RA itself either we should follow 2004 decision making process, decison was to follow 2007 policy. Now the two processes will start: Read more

Featured today is an interview with long-time Aurovilian B, expounding on the current situation in Auroville, the problem of religion and authority...of why, seemingly, Aurovililans appear to ‘need’ a leader, to give an ‘OK,’ to tell them how to proceed...B shares his insights which sprang up as a result of last week's final Town Development meeting in which Mr. Doshi was present. According to B, the work of growing the galaxy must oringate from us, the residents of Auroville, sans the sanction of any outsider. Read more

Today's topic of interest is town development; interviewed are Bridget, team member of l’Avenir and Mr. Doshi, Chairman of Auroville Town Development Council. Amidst the practicalites involved in these architectural discussions, building a city with living quarters to suit all needs, Mr. Doshi continuously flavours the atmosphere with remembrance of the purpose of Auroville's very existence...delineated in the Charter of Auroville. Read more

No doubt about it: planning, developing, building a city is the hot topic of this summer. The visit of Mr. Doshi, Chairman of Town Development Council, brought many interactions. This one is a recoding of the interactions with the community. Mr. Doshi's main point and question to the community: if the Galaxy is really the plan we should follow, how to proceed, and build the city together... our vision should be clear, without contradictions. In order to see the best we can build; answers need to be mandated from the residents of the community Read more

Following is the recording of General Meeting from yesterday at Unity Pavilion in International Zone, where we had a chance to hear directly and openly from members of L'Avenir d'Auroville - Town Development Council, who served the community on the hard task of the city and urban planing for past two years. What were the biggest challenges they've faced, which and who are the biggest obstacles for city to progress, ...questions were, and still remain many, and the feeling of participants that when the real talk starts we run out of time. Read more

Mr.Doshi is coming to visit Auroville and interact with the community on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th at 4.30pm at Conference Room in Town Hall. June 15-29 The Residents' Assembly Service (RAS) invites all Aurovilians to participate in a Residents' Assembly decision-making process on the structure and selection of the community's planning body, l'Avenir d'Auroville also called the Town Development Council (TDC). The Auroville Ultimate Frisbee club is about to participate on the tournament in Bangalore, and they need our help. Read more

General Meeting on hot Wednesday afternoon, with half of the population TOS, but with work needed to be done on planning, preparing an answer to Mr. Doshi and Governing Board, start the selection process... Jesse, trying to moderate the best he can, coming up with elaborate schedule of presentations with Q&A sessions afterward, but overthrown due the fact that most participants wanted to follow the discussion from two week back. To build, plan a city isn't easy, and if we want to do things differently, the spiritual base should come from within Read more