Today at 4.30 at the Unity Pavilion the RAS invites all Aurovilians to join them in a common space of facilitated exchange. Come, Ask, Listen, Share, Participate! Mr.Doshi - Chairman of The Town Development Council regrets to inform the community that he has had to postpone his visit to Auroville by 2 weeks. By RRO is requested that all foreign guests in Auroville need to be properly registered Even when you have a guest stay in your home (your parents, sisters, brothers, friends), they must clearly and completely fill in the C-form. Read more

RAS reminds us that It is time to select a new L’avenir / Town Development Council team. They are asking all of us to read the draft and take this opportunity to give our constructive feedback. We have two weeks (till 31st May 2012) to submit feedback by email to raservice@auroville.org.in with a copy to studygroup@auroville.org.in. Mr. Doshi is coming to visit Auroville from 28th to 30th of May, and he expressed his desire to meet the community of Auroville at large in order to discuss how to proceed with the planning work in Auroville. 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

In today's news we feature interview with Renu on yesterday's sharing of L'Avenir. We need to inform the WC and/or LMTF before the publication of any mail, message, petition on this topic in order to vet if any information confidential in nature that may be detrimental to the proposed exchange is not contained therein. As every 12 Th of each month of 2012 , the women circle meets at Unity Pavilion at 5 p.m. Breathing exercises to the Pachamama . Paneurrytmic , Eternity Game and everything you can bring to the Circle .Everybody Welcome Read more

Srimoyi, who is in charge of the organization of the Park of Unity (the amphitheater, the Banyan Tree, the Matrimandir and the twelve gardens including the Garden of Unity), explains the three different booking procedures to enter the Matrimandir. She also talks about the Mother's guidelines and the current difficulties her team has to face. 'It must be solitary and silent. It must have an isolating zone, one must have access to it only with permission.' Read more

On Friday workshop at conference Room in Town Hall, participants put on the table the fact that Auroville Township, Viluppuram, Cuddalore districts of Tamil Nadu and the districts of Puducherry are very closely connected to each other through natural resources, climate, historical links, culture, religion, language, tourism, trade or business, population and transportation. This tightly knit connection calls for a Regional Plan that would benefit this region not just in the urban areas but also the adjoining rural areas. Read more

Tomorrow in Conference Room in Town Hall will be workshop and seminar on sustainable Regional Plan for Villuppuram Auroville Cuddalore Puduchery organised jointly by INTACH Pondicherry, PondyCAN and Auroville Town Development Council, with opening welcome of Bala Baskar. In today's news Bridget talks about this event. The Working Committee invites community on March 22 at 6.00 pm at La Terrace welcome back Mr N. Balabaskar, our new Secretary and at the same time, to bid farewell to Mr S. Loganathan, who has been the Acting-Secretary. Read more

Frederick, a Working Committee member, spoke to us on some current issues. His overall view is that this will be a year of many changes, and as such a year of intensive work, outwardly as well as inwardly. The aims of the Working Committee are to create a process in which it will become a facilitating agent, and to be more proactive than reactive as it is now. Appointment of the community's friendly secretary Bala Baskhar is seen as a positive change. And we all should focus on renewing of our consciousness and do what we are here for.

From L'Avenir d'Auroville Rolf talks on future development of the city, which is currently in chaos, especially regarding utilities infrastructure set up of the past. After the cyclone came a strong call from the community to explore underground utilities supply. And in general energy has accumulated to the point where we can start seriously thinking of overall infrastructure distribution. Next month we will get another electrical high tension cable to interconnect different transformers in order to achieve more regular supply of electricity. 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"

At Unity Pavilion in International Zone on 29th will be official inauguration of main hall, and Jaya shared with us the happy news, and the Bulgarian Pavilion will share with the community on htat day a Bulgarian 'Martenitsa' workshop with Antonia Duende which celebrates eagerly an ancient ritual, Baba Marta, exchanging martenitsa as a symbol of sympathy and friendship, ... In todays' news we also feature short excerpt of interview with Bridget on updates from L'Avenir d'Auroville, and full interview will be published later on. Read more

At the annual Auroville International (AVI) meeting 2012, held at the Multipurpose Hall (Unity Pavilion, International Zone) members of L'Avenir d'Auroville presented current situations, plans and problems. Presentation were extensive and following questions were many since town planning is one of the most vital and often a problematic issue. Another point of discussion for AVI members was that there should be more communication and interaction between working groups and the units. Read more

De una hispanica celebracion ha surgido este compilado de experiencias y reflexiones que nacen de entre los Aurovillianos tras el paso del ciclon Thane por Tamil Nadu. En este podcast los entrevistados nos ayudan a valorar la "solidaridad espontanea que ha surgido entre la comunidad", ha entender la necesidad de replantear los codigos de construccion de Auroville para evitar que "el techo no se vaya, que las ventanas no exploten" y 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.

A presentation on Pumped Storage Systems has been given in the Town Hall Conference Room on Friday 06-01-2012. The presentation team includes Harald Kraft (Water Engineering Consultant, see: ib-kraft.de/eng/), Michael Bonke (who has studied the pumped storage systems of Ruselkraftwerke, Germany) and Toine Van Megen (who presented the relevance of pumped storage systems in the context of renewable energy). The presentation and discussion had also look at the possibilities of utilizing the Matrimandir Lake as the lower elevation 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

On one of the lasts talks Jaya, Shivaya, Deepti, Julian Lines, Brook Teklehaimanot talked on projects for and within the international Zone. Jaya and Deepti started with general overview , and touched CIRHU (Center for International Research in Human Unity) which should be a hub and concentration spot for people to learn and grow through experiences, it should be center for all human unity... Shivaya and Julian talked about the Peace Table, made by George Nakashima. Shivaya continued with Unity Pavilion, Brook talked about Africa House. Read more

Successful interactions between Ethiopian students from Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building, Construction and City Development (EiABC) with Aurovillians during the AVI meeting lead also to an interesting interview with Brook Teklehaimanot, who holds the Chair of Architecture and Design, and is the author of the model of the Africa House - the Pavilion of African Culture. As he told us one doesn't really plan or draw a city, city belong to the community and plans in reality change. More important is what happen with the built spaces. Read more

Amongst presentation to Ethiopian public within AVI meeting in Addis Abbaba Cristo Mabilat touched in his presentation the work of The Auroville Earth Institute, funded by an architect Satprem, who is trying to revive the technology of construction with earth. The concept goes in line with the development and sustainability as the key of the progress. The Auroville Earth Institute is today the representative for Asia of the UNESCO Chair "Earthen Architecture, Constructive Cultures and Sustainable Development". 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

Taking into account the regional context, the current choice that has supported the development of Auroville up till now (that is to tap 100% of the water from the aquifers), can no longer guarantee the water-security nor expected future developments. The preliminary study shows that Auroville must diversify the sources of water supply. Among the possible resources, rain water and its management in the form of surface water seems to be one of the most promising. Click here to download the pdf of the presentation. Read more

Today we are starting a new project at AurovilleRadio: The Green News. Every Friday we will bring you information connected to the environment, projects, issues and initiatives related to our Planet, happening in Auroville and all over the globe. In our first program we have an interview with Jonah regarding beach erosion that are affecting not only Auroville but the whole Bay of Bengal. Also we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Green Peace India and we share valuable information on plastic bags and how can you be part of the change. Read more

From the participatory session held last week by Dr. Brahmanand Mohanty, expert in the field of energy, hear an excerpt of his talk; he focused on the future of mankind, which will be determined if man will switch from oil based reliance to green based practices for energy. His talk in its entirety may be heard later today. The Karuvadikuppam dumpsite: a plea to sign the petition letter, all those suffering from its toxic waste fumes. The text of this letter is available on Auronet; soon at public places (Solar Kitchen, Town Hall, etc.) Read more

Sunny Friday afternoon, people gathered in expectation - yes, community has said (clear majority with 55%) that they would like to begin the process to replace Working Committee and Auroville Council or seek the next groups now using the old process, and that essentially are not too disturb by the old process, and that they are quiet happy for to things continue business as usual. As such the decision of Resident Assembly has been to select the new Working Committee and Auroville Council right now using the old process. Read more

Manu discusses the site plan and progress of Transit Lounge with Eric. The Transit Longue has been specifically designed for Aurovillians and Newcomers as a housing solution in order to ease the pressure of shifting houses every one or two years and to help integrate themeselves in Auroville. The intention is to provide freedom and choice to a community of smaller groups that can co-exist creatively and peacefully. The prototypes of individual designs of housing units proposed by various builders was also discussed. Read more

Announcements offer Dhrupad, a vocal concert by Uday Tuesday, Pitanga Hall; an exhibition of digital paintings and photographs by Juergen at Gallerly Square Circle opening next Saturday; a biodynamic agriculture and compost workshop at AuroOrchard next weekend; practice sessions in Restorative Circles (a community process for supporting those in conflict and, greenbelt/land use planning presented by Achva Benzinberg Stein of Spitzer School of Architecture, New York and David Stein, consultant on social/economic patterns on land use 2 August. Read more

Jalshaghar presents on Thursday 28th July, at 8.00pm at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture World Music Concert Raga – Jazz.; night of interesting music. Also on Thursday at 5 pm in Town Hall Conference Hall we're invited to the Presentation on Transit Lounge housing project which is an experiment in dis-mountable housing with common facilities. It gives a relatively low cost place to live, in a short period of time with many creative options such as housing design, financial features and flexibility. Read more

An encouraging development for Auroville: the Auroville Town Development Council has been created and sanctioned officially, providing possibilities for development of Auroville within its own context and protect against speculation and other developmental issues. Renu offers a brief report concerning Town Development Council's recent meetings which included l'AVenir d'Auroville chairman Mr. Doshi, who sanctioned going ahead with le Cite Universitaire in the International Zone, which had come to a standstill due to the old map and perimeters. Read more

L'avenir d'Auroville/ TDC it will hold its first TDC (Town Development Council) meeting with TDC/L'avenir d'Auroville chairman Mr Doshi this weekend . Members of Avenir Advisory Council Mr Dattatri and Toine are also invited. In today's news we feature interview with Renu about it. In this official meeting and the same time practical workshop they will discous about relationship with Tamil Nadu government, zoning regulations for Tamil Nadu and Auroville's Master plan in relation to it, next steps in land protection of the Master Plan.... Read more