A community interaction with the Governing Board happened on Saturday 6th of April at 6.00 pm in SAWCHU. A good number of residents came to meet with Dr Karan Singh (chairman of the Auroville Fundation) and the members of the Governing Board. The discussion was open by a short introduction by the chairman Dr. Karan Singh. During the meeting the residents spoke about internal issues and policies to protect the development of Auroville. Later on on most of the participants attended to the community dinner at Solar Kitchen. 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

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

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

Auroville Radio is glad to invite you to listen the Low Cost Housing meeting happening at Arka past monday 12/11/2012. Different architects and engineers from Auroville have met, and talked how to solve the increasing prices of housing, looking at the past and projecting to the future. At the meeting were more than 10 experts involved in different housing fields, from architecture to provision, with different backgrounds and experiences coming from different Communities in Auroville. Read more

Following are the minutes of yesterdays Values&Priorities Meeting on Success Team Meeting. The Action Teams - Participatory Planning, Affordable Housing, Entry, Economy, Violence and disobedience of the accepted rules in Auroville presented what actions has been taken at their team for the last two weeks. At the same time need for more action teams was expressed by participants, and those were added to the list. Since the presentations, and raised questions have taken most of the time there was no time left to work in the groups. Read more

After months of discussing, and trying to make sense of what the community really value, and where do we want to go on collective level-which should be our priorities, yesterdays meeting brought lots of positivism. Despite rain shower the number of present residents was high, participants eager to start with the work. After short introduction by RAS members Jesse and Elvira, groups were around the tables with chosen topics - affordable housing, entry, participatory planning, economy, and violence in Auroville&disobedience of decisions. Read more

B and Luigi are at it again, with more synergy than ever. This week we've invited Mita from Centre Field to come and talk about her community's reservations to the extension of the crown road. A very productive meeting, in which we were able to see beyond past traumas and stay in the collective energy to bridge polarities. Mita brought forth the concern that we need to take a deeper approach in looking at the Galaxy model and revive powerful ideas which have diffused, namely the Dreamcatchers proposal, to be revisited in forum later this month. Read more

Second in series Collective Priorities Meetings as part of the Collective Priorities Project started with anticipation, light spirit and some laughter. The need and spirit of change is present in the community, and as we saw meetings do slowly chisel out from the vague cloud what we value, what we need to do, and how to approach it. Although meeting itself was swinging from concrete reality to spirituality, participants came to the conclusion to invite working groups in order to find out what the reality of their work is, and what we can do. Read more

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

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

The Community Interaction with Mr Doshi (Chairman of Auroville Town Development Council) today and tomorrow, Tuesday 19th June at 4.30pm at the Town Hall Conference Room.Mr. Doshi requests that the community take up this opportunity to interact and reflect on the various key issues which need the community's reflection as these would form a crucial part of work to be done for the Planning of Auroville. The huge biomass waste created by cyclone Thane and EcoPro would like to initiate production of bioachar and Terra Preta. www.ecopro.in Read more

Present team of L'Avenir d'Auroville/TDC shared yesterday at SAWCHU with the community detailed report on their work for the last two years. As the planning of the city is very complex and structured from different aspects of it, each member was focused on that particular part. After the review was an opening question/answer sharing part of the meeting, which brought on the surface many issues. The mandate of present team is about to end, but common observation of the community is that at least part of it should stay on the job. Read more

Finishing with the free dinner donated by Tanto Pizzeria, the meeting begun 3 hours before, and brought more questions than answers. More than 450 Aurovilians attended to this meeting organized by the RAS. If you failed to listen to the almost 3 hours of recording you'll have the chance know about the long list of topics discussed. Are you new to Auroville's matter? Then listen to it till the end and enjoy how the Auroville's resident are trying to make happen the Auroville's Dream. Next step? Another meeting but with just one topic: The land. Read more

Sonja of Auroville Council talks on current issues the Council continues to face; the topic is land. The urgency of awareness regarding water in Auroville and bio-region is of vital importance today: Gilles Boulicot gives a talk giving facts, awareness. The Mother had said there is enough water; the Aurovilians must use their ingenuity to collect it and make use of it, in a conversation with early Aurovilian Dr.Tim Rees, hydro-geologist. Auroville seeks measures to overcome this challenge and develop a water resource management plan. Read more

The latest housing project at the International House was just recently completed, a 4 level structure solely devoted to dormitory style living. Made mostly out of recycled materials and readily available resources, the new guest house features 3 levels of single or double rooms, 2 bathrooms equipped with composting toilets, and a communal meeting space on the top level. Manu, the chief architect of the project, spoke of the necessity for a new structure, the planning process, and how the new guest house is holding up today. Read more

In January 2012, we spoke to Cristo of the l'Avenir d'Auroville about the work of the planning office with regards to the greenbelt masterplan and the recent cyclone. Cristo tells us the story of the development of the masterplan and also his own involvement in the project. We learn the aims, challenges, learnings, the laws and regulations of l'Avenir. There is much to be learnt here about the complexities involved in development of the 'land-use' plan and building standards, especially with regards to natural calamities like cyclones.

How vital are the town-planning issues was clear in our interview with Bridget from l'Avenir d'Auroville who updated us today on the current discussions. This update from l'Avenir d'Auroville comes after a long break due to the cyclone, and includes the hot topic of unauthorized constructions on lands owned by Aurovilians within the Auroville Master Plan which rose lots of dust in the community and also caused some actions. Also, with fast development of the much needed housing projects, we can see some clear sky on "housing"

A love affair with Auroville, between two people and with life: Wendy Lines speaks candidly in today's featured interview. A newly created Housing Board has been formed: questions to adminfamc@auroville.org.in. Time Wrey's ‘Footsteps Through the Salad’ his new book on wildlife will be launched at Town Hall Wednesday 15 February. Integral Health introduces new team member Manuela, a qualified, experienced midwife. Read more

Happy Republic Day India! This morning was inaugurated a volunteer housing project named Rohini & Yuva. One of our volunteers, Kimbo, attended bhumi puja onsite near Luminosity and talked with Uma directly. On Saturday at 4 PM, at Kala Kendra Audiovisual Room, we're invited to a presentation called 'MISSION AUROVILLE' which is about six Polish artists who are currently residing in Auroville. On Sunday at 7.30 pm at the Pitanga Bulgarian Pavilion presents a Violin and Piano Recital with guest artists Yoana Strateva and Ivelina Ivancheva Read more

In 2010 l'Avenir d'Auroville had commissioned to Luis Feduchi a study about the Residential Zone, sectors 1 & 2. In the mean time l'Avenir d'Auroville has also started a process of "participatory planning" with architects residing in Auroville. In November 2011 some members of the planning office went to Amedhabad to meet with Mr. Doshi, chairman of TDC / l'Avenir d'Auroville, to present the studies. The next step is to integrate the two researches. In February 2012 Mr. Doshi will visit Auroville to help in finalizing this integration work.

At Joy Guest house, previously known as College Guesthouse, the main damage was caused by uprooted trees. Also, they have no water or electricity. Except from the working men and the people living there, the place is pretty deserted, since it is impossible of receiving guests in this condition. After the interview, on my way back to the radio, i was forced to stop since a tree was taken down to secure future safety to electricity lines. Read more

Recently built zen house of Sabine and Philippe, residents of Repos community is now roofless, water tank broken, what used to be beautiful blooming fence by buganvilla, is now piece of uprooted shrubs...For Sabine and Philippe Repos is home for more than decade, and both actively participate in community life in Repos, as well in community in whole. Since they were well aware, and realistic of present treat of cyclone Thane on Thursday night, they evacuated themselves overnight, and also informed others and guests about situation. What now? Read more

From first almost paralyzed feeling after natural catastrophe town woke up in frantic mood to clean, repair..help..Yesterday the clean up team started their work, to which we all are welcome. And since today we got a Cyclone help desk in Town Hall at the Receptionist Desk with team of people collecting and sharing information on the most important things - water, electricity, green belt - wood issues. Help desk team can be reach at main Town Hall phone line 2622250, for water and single phase generators we should call Jill on 9486144065 Read more

On Friday December 30, cyclone Thane hit the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry with heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 135 kmph (83 mph) and tidal surges of up to 1.5 metres (5 feet). The cyclone hit the coast from Chennai to Karaikal. The Villupuram district is among the worst hit as the cyclone epicenter was close to Pondicherry. Here is an interview with Frederik and Joseba regarding fund raising and a plan to repair damaged houses. In the READ MORE section find Auroville's official press release. Read more

Yesterday some members of the l'Avenir d'Auroville had a meeting with the residents to gather in the Creativity comunity. The aim was to update the participants regarding city development in residential sectors. The conclusion of the discussion was that the financial aspect of Auroville needs urgent attention so that the city's development can be realized. In the December issue of AurovilleToday a title resonates: Auroville Population Stagnate. Last year the residents increased by 8 members only. Some of the policies need to be looked into. Read more

Mr. Melake Selam visited Auroville in 2008, joined Satprem at Earth Institute to learn and expand the knowledge on earthen construction in order to use this technology on his home ground - Ethiopia. Leading motto that we, humans should care about our planet and protect environment and put in use sustainability was appealing to him. All that he has been learn he put into practice, and shared the knowledge with his students. At the Institute of Architecture we saw built examples - a Sudu house (nice example of basic family house) and a vault. Read more

Ashish Mathur, Chief Executive Officer at RAMKY Integrated Township Ltd., has been sharing his vision which is "Sustainable Growth and a green and clean Earth" during the Vision workshop of the Auroville Green Practices. His company is known for its pioneering role in the civil, public and environmental development of infrastructure in India and it strongly believes that the fruits of development must reach every man and woman without any discrimination. His insights into the environmental problems of today have inspired the audience. Read more