See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/350617764

Auroville, The City of Dawn (study of an experimental sustainable township)

Presentation · May 2020

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25396.99201

CITATIONS READS

0 553

4 authors:

Darush Farrokh Selena Isildar

Politecnico di Milano Politecnico di Milano
3 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    1 PUBLICATION   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Reyhaneh Farahbakhsh Nima Basimi

Politecnico di Milano Politecnico di Milano
2 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    2 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Darush Farrokh on 04 April 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Introduction:
Auroville was born on 28 February 1968. Its founder, the Mother, created the Auroville Charter
consisting of four main ideas which underpinned her vision for Auroville. When Auroville came into
being, All India Radio (AIR) broadcast the Charter, live, in 16 languages. Aurovilians apply the ideas
of the Auroville Charter in their daily life, in policy-development, and decisions, big and small. The
Charter thus forms an omnipresent referent that silently guides the people who choose to live and work
for Auroville.

1.The Auroville CharterAuroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a

whole. But, to live in Auroville, one must be a willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
2.Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never
ages.
3.Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries
from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realisations.
3.Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual
human unity.
During the Auroville inauguration in 1968, youth from 124 different nations and 23 Indian states,
deposited a handful of their native soil into the Urn, a marble clad structure in the form of a symbolic
lotus bud, located in the centre of the Amphitheatre (see photo). The Auroville Charter - handwritten in
French by the Mother - rests along with this soil, sealed in the Urn, as a powerful message and promise.

For in this ideal place money would no longer be the sovereign lord; individual worth would have a far
greater importance than that of material wealth and social standing. There, work would not be a way to
earn one’s living but a way to express oneself and to develop one’s capacities and possibilities while
being of service to the community as a whole, which, for its own part, would provide for each
individual’s subsistence and sphere of action.

In short, it would be a place where human relationships, which are normally based almost exclusively
on competition and strife, would be replaced by relationships of emulation in doing well, of
collaboration and real brotherhood.

The earth is certainly not ready to realize such an ideal, for mankind does not yet possess the necessary
knowledge to understand and accept it nor the indispensable conscious force to execute it. That is why
I call it a dream. Yet, this dream is on the way of becoming a reality. That is exactly what we are doing
on a small scale, in proportion to our modest means. The achievement is indeed far from being perfect,
it is progressive; little by little we advance towards our goal, which, we hope, one day we shall be able
to hold before the world as a practical and effective means of coming out of the present chaos in order
to be born into a more true, more harmonious new life.

Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live
in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities.
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity.
1967 Mother's Agenda

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 1

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

1. Mobility and Transportation

Auroville aspires towards a safe and pollution-free transport system. While much remains to be done
to reach that goal, efforts are made to keep the central area as free as possible of heavy vehicles.
Although there are not many studies in this criteria, adequate data could be assumed from numerous
on-site documentaries that have been produced by travelers to this experimental city. In general,
Auroville has a number of buses, vans, and jeeps which meet essential community needs, such as
transporting children to school, carrying goods around the community, taking people to Pondicherry,
etc. What is only at its early steps, however, is a fully developed collective transport system that can
carry people around the community throughout the day and evening. The complete system has yet to
be planned, funded, and developed.
Since it has been decades from the birth of Auroville and there were various perspectives for a desirable
sustainable transportation system but these goals are not yet achieved. Meanwhile, it must be noticed
that this experimental city is located in the farthest rural lands of India and there's not much of demand
for long commuting since most of the needs are anticipated to be provided closely, nor the
infrastructures are sufficient to aim a completely sustainable transportation system.

1.2 Mobility Option

Presumably, Auroville with its almost 20 sq/km area doesn't seem to be in need for complicated
transportation infrastructure since most of the basic needs of Aurovillians are approachable within a
walkable distance but for further needs, mainly for Guests, there are various mobility options:

1. The SAIIER Transport Service:

This service was started in 1985-86. It works mainly for the Auroville schools that need students to
be picked up and dropped at specified bus stops, for transporting lunch from Solar Kitchen to all
the schools, and for all kinds of field trips and excursion tours. The Saiier Transport also undertakes
trips for Aurovilians who want to go to Ashram, or have shopping needs in Pondicherry.
Occasionally the service provides transportation for people participating in dance programs, music
shows, and other Auroville related programs.

2. Taxi Sharing: Since most of the guests or visitors of Auroville are not familiar with the concept of
commuting by foot, taxis had become a profitable business for Aurovillians and during recent years
various Private Taxi Service Companies had been developed.

3. Electric Bike/Scooter: Recently some of the start-up companies started to establish the use of
electric bikes and scooters. Meanwhile lack of proper infrastructure such as decent lanes hindering
the development of this sector.

Fig-01: Electric Bikes Fig-02: SAILER Bus

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 2

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

1.3 Individual Transportation

However, in Auroville, there is no specific cycle line, lack of asphalt surfaces in the center, short
distances, and the desire of having a sustainable life caused more use of bicycles. But still, most of the
inhabitants use motorcycles and in future planning, they want to replace electrical scooters instead of
motorcycles.
Additionally, Auroville is not separated from its neighbor, and as a consequence, as much as getting far
from the center, more automobiles will appear and in the last, in the outer ring of the city, it becomes
more like any other cities in India rather be a Utopia.

1.4 Roads and Infrastructures:

As already mentioned lack of basic infrastructure is the main issue toward achieving sustainable goals
of Auroville. For instance, as we get close to Center there is no cycle route or even any walkable path.
Apparently, it looks natural and sustainable but in fact, it is not easy to walk on hot sands during the
summer or walk into the mug on rainy days.

On the other hand, accessing roads to Auroville are mostly narrow swampy paths that, in some cases,
are the crossing point of some heavy vehicles which makes them extremely dangerous for passengers
on a bike or any other 2wheeled vehicle.

1.5 Transportation in Neighborhood Scale:

On a smaller scale, mobility could be analyzed through accessibility. The concept of accessibility that
Aurovill inhabitants have is to be as sensitively-designed and inclusive of a human environment as
possible, free of those unnecessary barriers that make life difficult. In other words, a place where, within
reason, all can access areas and facilities equally, and take full advantage of opportunities for work,
education, leisure, and so on, with the minimum of difficulty, need to ask for help or embarrassment.
We are speaking here of creating an environment where everyone will be treated thoughtfully, in a way
that respects and upholds their dignity.
As the case study, the temple in the center chose. A place that has the highest number of visits.
The temple consists of one big meditation space in the center and surrounded by smaller meditation
rooms. access to each of these rooms is by the means of ramps, without barriers and easy access.
On the other hand, reaching to main rooms not accessible at all.
Lots of stairs needed to be taken in order to reach the Sphere. after that by walking along the spiral
ramp, you will reach the core. there is no elevator and for disabled people or people with any limitation,
it is hard to reach it without help.

1.6 Conclusion and Rating:

Auroville is located in a rural area and for that matter, it's not easy to rate it in comparison with
sustainable urban areas with adequate infrastructures. While, In the scale of comparison between
Auroville and other cities in India, Indeed, Auroville has a better condition. In a way that at least, unlike
most of the third-world cities, for them striving toward having a sustainable transportation system is an
ongoing issue.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 3

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

The mobility system recently has been faced a lot of investment and there are various resolutions with
idealistic visions of sustainable mobility but so far not many of these plans came to action. but on the
contrary, there has been various attempt to make this city self-sufficient which indirectly would result
in having less and less commuting, consequently, less vehicles and fewer emissions. As a result, by
considering all the negative and positive points, the rating for this system would be in the middle range.
and on the scale of 0-20, from our point of view, it could be 16.

. . . . . . . .

2. Energy

“Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries
from within and from without, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realisation.” mentioned in
the Auroville Charter.

2.1 Historical Background:

In the early days of Auroville, the community was not connected to an electricity grid, citizens were
using two to three hours a day to pump their water with a hand pump. Aurovilla was first introduced to
renewable energy in 1972 by windmills. Followingly, in 1980, PV panels were first used by an
Aurovilian for his private house. However, these resources were not accessible by the whole community
until the establishment of Auroville Centre for Scientific Research (CSR) in 1984. This voluntary
organisation aims towards a sustainable future in the development of renewable energy systems (wind,
solar, biomass), building technologies & waste water recycling.
The first project by CSR was a 36.3 kWp solar PV power plant which was realized in 1997, it was one
of its kind in India. Still today, this solar plant continues to generate an average of 130 kWh per day,
supplying the Matrimandir with power.
Two years later in 1999, a solar bowl was installed in the community kitchen which was equipped to
cook for more than 1000 people twice a day. This solar bowl is a 15 meter solar collector on the roof of
the kitchen which generates enough steam for cooking. Therefore, it is called the “Soul of the City'', it
was India's largest solar cooker.
CSR not only guaranteed renewable energy access for the community, but also expanded their resources
outside of Auroville. The development of biogas digester for example, only 20 of them were used in
Auroville, the rest 150 were installed outside Auroville, including on the remote Andaman & Nicobar
Islands.

2.2 Current Energy Situation:

Today, more than 200 households in Auroville use solar energy for their electrical power supply and/or
water heating, This is mainly the result of the efforts of CSR who in the nineteens, installed a total of
200 solar home systems and 140 solar water pumps for residential use.
Residential buildings are also designed considering energy efficiency. Their developments display low
cost, low tech and low impact buildings, achieved by mostly natural techniques.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 4

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

In Vikas Apartments for example, the residents are satisfied with thermal comfort and find that summers
have rarely been too hot. (Majumdar, 2001). As a building material, earth blocks have been used, which
were made with excavated soil from during the construction to reduce the embodied energy and cross
ventilation is provided. Several renewable energies are installed for the use of 50 people living there:
Pv panels for lightning, solar water heating system, water pumping with a windmill and waste water
recycling using lagooning.

Fig 3:Vikas Apartments Fig 4: Vikas Apartments

2.3 Innovative Energy Sources:

Auroville is a place of experimentation, learning and teaching. The knowledge and experience is shared
beyond the community, As a community they made the knowledge accessible to anyone who wants to
learn it. As a result, several training programmes were investigated, about various topics (from
mechanical workshops to information for different age groups.
Another crowdfunding tool based in Auroville, aims to provide reliable solar energy for millions of
people in rural India suffering from daily power cuts to fight with energy poverty.
By providing solar panels, villagers are guaranteed energy access 24/7. Ten percent of the revenue from
selling the solar energy generated with these solar systems goes back to the village, with the hope that
this will encourage participatory budgeting. The other 90 percent of revenue will go toward funding
other solar villages. The Solar Village Initiative aims to solarize 100 villages throughout the region by
2030. (auroville.org)

Fig 5 :Solar Bowl (source: ecovillage.org)

2.4 Conclusion and Rating:

To conclude, renewable energy is taken into consideration very seriously during the city's development.
With the contribution of different Institutions in Auroville, a large amount of data made accessible for
the public about guides to sustainable living, in-depth manuals on different building techniques, theses
in architecture and engineering, and resources about Auroville. With the aid of these resources and
workshops, public awareness is also increased and consequently, one can not only get educated about
renewable energies but also be skilled to build. Auroville is a place of constant education, innovation
and an inspiring model for sustainability practices. These practices are not only limited in Auroville but
they also started to spread to other communities in India with the constant support of Auroville in
renewable sources. Considering how active Auroville is in the field of renewable and its responsiveness
to climate change, our eco-city criteria is 20/20.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 5

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

3. Waste
Auroville's management of solid waste is undertaken by EcoService. Their goal is to minimize the
impact of waste on the environment by working towards a “zero waste” policy.
Waste is collected by an EcoService team from households, restaurants and cominites, as well as along
the main roads and public spaces. Then, collected waste is processed and sorted by another team at
Kottakarai while trying to recycle as much of it as possible. Sorted waste then sold to recycling dealers
or landfilled. It pursues this goal by recycling as much of the community's waste as it can, and landfilling
as little as possible.
In 2001, about 102 cubic meters of residual waste was collected in a 12 month period. The graph below
indicated that a significant portion of the waste could be reduced, up to 50% of this waste stream
could be avoided.

Fig-06: Residual Waste Composition Survey

At present, EcoService collects waste from approximately 2/3 of the Auroville population, while 1/3 of
Aurovilians choose other methods for disposing of their waste. But of the waste collected by
EcoService, about 72% is recycled and 28% landfilled. However to achieve the zero waste policy,
further considerations should be made about the management of medical and hazardous wastes,
construction and demolition materials, and residual waste treatment, storage and disposal.

To create awareness among the community, detailed information about how to recycle your waste is
given on the website of EcoService and workshops are provided for the citizens. In the medium term,
EcoService is aiming to collaborate with schools and publish regular articles about waste management
related issues.

On the other hand,biological waste is treated mainly by lagooning

in residential buildings. This water treatment system is usually
located next to the building and it is treated by the use of aquatic
plants. However this system is not very reliable for the user.
Because of the fragility of the plants, residents cannot use toxic
products such as bleach and other household products with caustic
soda,otherwise, the whole biological system will die, as happened
several times. Fig-07 Lagooning

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 6

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Another case study about waste water recycling is the Solar Kitchen. Since it is a community center, a
different solution was considered. First, the soil was excavated at site for making compressed earth
blocks for wall construction and the resulting hole used for the water recycling pond of the root zoning
technique. Wastewater is recycled using an imhoff tank and baffle reactor with a polishing tank to reuse
the water for irrigation. (Majumdar,2001)

3.2 Conclusion and Rating:

In conclusion, for Auroville to achieve the goal of zero waste, further considerations should be made
about the management of medical and hazardous wastes, construction and demolition materials, and
residual waste treatment, storage and disposals. However, ongoing research is being made on “waste
to energy” and Auroville is constantly trying to improve their conditions to reach the optimal
condition. Also,considering the current biological waste solutions and their fragile system (requires a
lot of maintenance), our eco-city criteria is 17/20.

. . . . . . . .

4.1 Economy
Auroville will be a self-supporting township.
All who live there will participate in its life and development. "This participation may be passive or
active.
There will be no taxes as such but each will contribute to the collective welfare in work, kind or
money.
Sections like industries which participate actively will contribute part of their income towards the
development of the township. Or if they produce something (like foodstuffs) useful for the citizens,
they will contribute in kind to the township which is responsible for feeding its citizens.
1967, Vol 08, Mother's Agenda

Auroville is formed around a desire for a utopian community and it has been under constant
improvement for more than half a century but all these developments could not proceed without an
economical foundation. This basis is consist of governmental funds, community profits, and partially
individual commercial activities. These private activities operate the main role in providing adequate
jobs for the Aurovillians, However, this issue can not be compared and comprehend comparing to other
capitalist systems since the definition of profit and ownership is different in here. There is no such thing
as private ownership nor any currency in Auroville which at first glance seems to be unrealistic or
intangible.

4.1.1 Source of Finance:

The foundation of the Auroville economy is built upon the external supports. These financial supports,
for the most part, comes from the Unity Fund (International Support) and Government of India, mainly
for education and projects covered by the 'Auroville Development Scheme', occasionally for road
works. Rather than that there are other sources such as money coming from NGOs and other
organizations in India and abroad, from the profits of commercial units within Auroville, from several
'Auroville International' centers around the world, from guest houses, from cash donations made by
visitors and guests, from outside well-wishers and the families of Aurovilians, and - of course - from
the Aurovilians themselves.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 7

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

4.1.2 Individual Business:

As mentioned; a big portion Auroville source of income is rooted in Individual business. People across
the world came to this city and they are free to open their own business as they like but they should
accept the fact that there’s no private ownership in this city. What they initiate would be a part of
community’s property that is in fact own by all Aurovillians
and profits would go straightly to the community. Later this
profits would be spend for the goods of al. This distribution
is being done by a committee known as BCC (Budget
Coordination Committee) whom they have the task of
managing an all-Auroville budget, coordinating the
allocation of Auroville’s income towards the development
and maintenance budgets of Auroville, keeping in mind the
direction and aims given by the Mother.

Fig-08

4.1.3 Financial Support:

While a number of Auroville residents have their own resources including financial support from
families or friends, the majority depend on the 'maintenance' (a monthly sum which is usually just
enough to meet the basic needs of living in Auroville) which they receive from the commercial unit or
community service they work for. The community meets all one's needs and provides a cash allowance
or 'maintenance' sufficient to live a simple life with a modicum of dignity.

4.1.4 Jobs and Currency:

The eventual aim of Auroville’s economy is to reach a state of no monetary exchange within the
township, specially between the residents, and experiments towards this end continue to be conducted
(see, for example, “Prosperity Pour Tous”). The other overall aim of the Auroville economy is to reach
a state of self-sufficiency. These two targets is mainly shaping the job market and economical
environment of the city.
There are around 180 commercial units operating in Auroville, falling under the following broad
categories: Architecture & Construction, Clothing & Fashion, Electronics & Engineering, Food,
Handicrafts, Shops & Boutiques, Travel, and Others. Currently all Auroville businesses are required to
operate under the Auroville Foundation. Permission to start a new unit has to be given by the AV Board
of Commerce, the Working Committee and the Funds & Assets Management Committee (including the
Secretary to the AV Foundation).

A service unit named ‘Connections’ – working from the Human Resource Team office at the
Multimedia Centre – provides information on work opportunities in the township for
Aurovilians and Newcomers with the aim of helping them find their right place in Auroville, and to
help services and units find the staff they need. Work opportunities in Auroville for people from the
local villages and surrounding area are handled by ‘Small Employers Welfare Administration’ (SEWA).
Auroville consciously tries to maintain good working relations with the 6-7,000 people it employs from
the local area, and avoids the use of child labour. Auroville units make an effort to provide a decent
working environment, good salaries, bonuses, health insurance, and other benefits such as pension
schemes. The occasional dispute or problem arising is handled by an Aurovilian Village Liaison Group.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 8

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

4.1.5 Ownership and Economical Classes:

There is no private ownership of land, housing or business in Auroville. Aurovilians are constantly
investing in the collectively owned land, housing and business. People setting up (or joining existing)
commercial activities can expect that, if they are successful, they will be able to support a modest life-
style within certain informal norms. It should, however, be clearly understood that in Auroville work is
not a means of earning one's living but of serving the divine.

Despite of the fact that there is no ownership in Auroville, having various socio-economic classes is
inevitable, as it is the same in any societies. Although the business owners are not having profits for
their own but they are free to bring portion of their assets in city to develop their accommodation when
they step in the community, and basically that is the only point which could led to inevitable differences
and led to have mixture of rich and poor. However it must be considered that the mindset of whoever
intend to come to Auroville is in a way against consumerism system and that is almost unlikely for
someone willing to come and live in Auroville to bring a dozen of million dollars with himself and
prepare a mansion, and also that is completely against the ideas of the Mother. Furthermore, since there
is a committee to evaluate the applications of new-comers and they would spend a tutorial period from
3 to 6 month to gradually be involved with the community. Joining a self-conscious community like
Auroville is completely voluntary but if there would be a contradiction between the Charta of Auroville
and mindset of applicants it would be easily understood at the first stages and be prevented to adjoin.

4.2 Society

Fig-09: Latest Census May,5 ,2020

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 9

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Auroville came to being with the basic concept of “Human Unity”, therefore on top of all other factors
of this experimental piece of land the social aspect was and is the main topic. It's often said that
Auroville is like a microcosm of the world. And so it is. Represented within the project are virtual all
the major polarities found in the global society, plus the inevitable subtle tensions that exist as a result
of them. There are men, women, and children here representing the East-West divide, the North-South
gap, all sorts of religious and cultural backgrounds, the rich and the poor, the literate and the illiterate,
the sophisticated and the unsophisticated, people of different races and color, from villages, towns, and
cities, from democracies and socialist societies, from first, second and third world countries, some easy
to relate to, some not so easy, some hard workers and some lazier, all with different preferences and
priorities as they go about their daily lives - as smokers/non-smokers, drinkers/teetotalers,
vegetarians/non-vegetarians, meditators/non-meditators, office workers/foresters and so on. The one
thing that all these people have in common, however, is that they have ALL voluntarily placed
themselves in the melting pot which is Auroville, and have accepted to work out their differences in a
new and higher way, changing themselves instead of trying to change others as they seek to realize the
ideal of human unity in diversity.

4.2.2 Gender Equality:

Rather than desiring equality among various races, nationalities, and races; Auroville aspires to attain
complete equality of the sexes. In practice, this seems to be happening, with many women heading
commercial units or services, and playing other leading roles in the administration and functioning of
the township. Similarly, in the villages, Auroville is playing a constructive role via its Village Action
Group in encouraging the full empowerment of women.

4.2.3 Governance and Regulation:

According to Mother’s Agenda; Auroville is a non-hierarchial society that no one has to priority to
anyone else, in fact, Auroville has no 'authorities', in the normal power-based sense of the word, but
gives responsibility for certain key functions and services relating to the community - such as visa
processing, wells, and water, electricity, telecommunications, etc - to groups of individuals who deal
with the administration on behalf of the rest of Auroville.
On the other, as per the guidance of the Mother, Auroville has consciously tried to avoid establishing
fixed rules and regulations for the township and its inhabitants, though occasional guidelines are
formulated to facilitate the functioning of the community. The laws of India, meanwhile, apply to all
residents, both Indian and foreign, just as elsewhere in India.

4.2.4 Social Justice System:

Differences arising in Auroville are mostly superficial daily argues that may come from
misunderstanding or hesitance in acting upon social ethics, therefore there is no need to have a Justice
system based on punishment. Many internal problems are handled by the Executive Council, but there
are also, a number of people skilled in conflict resolution who can be called in when necessary. For
differences affecting local villagers, there is a 'Village Liaison Group'. Mostly it is friends or neighbors
who involve themselves in minor issues and try to settle them in an amicable way. The use of law courts
or referrals to other outsiders is considered unacceptable and to be avoided if possible.
In addition, to experiment new aspects of human conflicts and it's solutions there's a project known as
RC (Restorative Circle) which is an independent project that aims to bring the practice of Restorative
Circles, a holistic, community-based form of conflict resolution, to Auroville, and to explore what a
consciously designed justice system could look like here – one that reflects ideals, but that is also

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 10

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

effective and has the power to bring about constructive change, both on the individual and community
levels.
To simplify, this Conscious Justice System is based on a number of meeting with professionals that
they only listen to assertions of conflict sides and after hours of in-depth long circled dialogues, both
sides, whether in fault or not, would understand the true intentions of their own problem and that would
be prevented for future incidents.

Fig-10: Restorative Circle

4.3 Conclusion and Rating:

As it is clearly was explained in the visions of the pioneer of Auroville, the main criteria that was
proposed to fulfill was human relations, in order to create a Conscious Unity with respect to the
variety of people's backgrounds. Therefore shadow of this aspect had existed throughout any
resolution, perspective, or any endeavors of this community. To change toward a deeper and wider
consciousness of very inner self, in that order any other issue would be a subdivisional topic.

As a conclusion of all different information about various angles of Socio-Economical conditions of

Auroville, it is evident that they were successful. They succeed to have a harmonious society that
everyone has a job to fulfill very basic needs of their own, they succeed to the eliminated structure of
capitalist and consumerism world with constant effort for bigger, better, and more. They succeed to
establish foundations of a utopian community.

The only drawback here, in my point of view, is the fact that they are acting with the least possible
restriction among outsiders. For example, since they have a tax free conditions, some individuals with
the idea of misusing this condition had come to Auroville and gain profit from this situation. In many
cases, the committee had recognized and had stopped such incidents but in general, these little flaws,
in the long run, could lead to gradual decay from their Charta.

So despite all the positive aspects, we believe in Jobs and Providing Equity this community would
gain 19 out of 20.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 11

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

5. Land Ethics
To study the approach in the design of Auroville in terms of dedicating the spaces to different functions
and the priorities and concerns of this city, we can study the city’s zoning and how they are organized
in the master plan.
At the center stand the Matrimandir, the “soul of Auroville”, a place for individual Silent concentration.
Radiating out beyond the Matrimandir Gardens are four Zones, each focusing on an important aspect
of the township's life:

- Industrial(north)
- Cultural(north east),
- Residential (south/south west)
- lnternational (west)
- Green Belt ( Surrounding the city area is a Green Belt
consisting of forested areas, farms and sanctuaries with
scattered settlements for those involved in green work.)

Figure11 Auroville's Zoning Scheme

5.1 Peace Area
At the center of the township lies the Peace Area, comprising the Matrimandir and its gardens, the
amphitheater with the Urn of Human Unity that contains the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states,
and the project of a lake to help create an atmosphere of calm and serenity and to serve as a ground
water recharge area.

5.2 Industrial Zone

109-hectare zone for green industries, is focused on Auroville's efforts towards a self-supporting
township. it will contain: 1-small and medium-scale industries, 2-training centers. 3-arts and crafts,
etc. 4-the city's administration

5.3 International Zone and National/Cultural Pavilions

It is the designated site for National Pavilions from around the world. Representing all the major cultures, these
centers of research, study and creative activity, will be a concrete and richly expressive manifestation of human
unity in diversity.

Figure 12Meditation center (peace zone) Figure 13 A local enterprise

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 12

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

5.4 Residential Zone:

For the 189-hectare Residential Zone, Development is primarily limited to residential community
buildings and support services like: Community Meeting Spaces, Crèches, Lower Age Group
Educational Needs, Work Studio, First Aid Centers, Parks, Playgrounds, Landscaping Elements, Eco-
friendly Parking Areas, Kiosks And Convenience Stores, City Level Retail Stores, Restaurants,
Libraries And Reading Rooms, Health Centers, City Management Sub-off ices For Services Such As
Fire, Water, Sanitation And Post/Telecom.

Figure14 ARATI APPARTMENTS Figure 15 Residentials

5.5 Cultural Zone:

The 103-hectare (240 acres) spanning Cultural Zone will have its own specific vibration emanating
from the various cultural institutions and research centers related to education, arts and sport that are
planned there.
City level cultural uses will find their place there, such as: Auditoriums and exhibition halls - Parks and
playgrounds - Green areas - Kiosks and convenience stores - Stadium and large spaces with sports
facilities.

5.6 Green Zone:

The Green Belt Zone has broadly three main categories of uses:
1. Agriculture and farming, 2. Forest and land regeneration, 3. Recreation.
Their development is designed to promote biodiversity enhancement, environmental management, land
regeneration and water management.

5.6.1 Agriculture and Farming

The western part of the Green Belt, consisting of eris, natural drainage channels and village settlements, is
reserved for intensive agricultural development.
They will be utilized to set up prototype farms for raising appropriate crop categories that can be efficiently
produced in differing geographic conditions in Tamil Nadu.

Figure 16 Voluntiery work in farms Figure 17 Voluntiery work in Buddah Garden

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 13

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

5.6.2 Forests and Land Regenration

The eastern part of the Green Belt, which has already been developed with dense plantations of trees, acts as a
barrier against cyclone-strong winds coming from the coast, which were till recently the main cause for soil
erosion, gully formation and degradation of land.

5.6.3 Recreation
One of the several purposes of a Green Belt is also to provide open-air
recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Aurollille and its visitors. An
area of 260 Ha has been designated for this purpose, which will also
include a modern crematorium park as well as agro- and social forestry
for the benefit of neighboring villages.

5.7 Food and Farming Figure 18 Green belt providing spaces for events

In the pioneering years, farming in Auroville was largely empirical and spontaneous. Aurovilians who
were interested in farming started to farm on whatever land was available, some of which was quite
unpromising. They were entirely responsible for the development of the farm and for supporting
themselves from it, using a variety of organic techniques that enabled them to grow food in the generally
poor soil and difficult climate (the main growing season from December to March is short, and both
summer and monsoon can be severe and unpredictable).

Here are some services and infrastructures for food and Farming:

5.7.1 Auroville Farm Group (AVFG):

Aims:
The Auroville Farm Group aims at growing as much healthy food as possible for Auroville. in ways
that are sustainable for the earth, the community, and the bioregion.

One of the most urgent needs that Auroville’s farms are facing is funding. Finances are required for
infrastructure (fences, bore wells, irrigation systems, etc) to improve the efficiency of the farms, some
of which are short of basic facilities and equipment.

FoodLink:
FoodLink is Auroville’s central collection and distribution point for Auroville’s farm produce, and thus
a vital link between farms and community. From here, the fresh organic food is supplied to Auroville’s
collective kitchens, restaurants, schools, food processors, and the PourTous outlets, PTPS & PTDC.

5.7.2 Kottakarai Organic Food Processing Unit (KOFPU):

Aims:
Creating a market for organic produce through the purchase of
organically grown crops from local farmers - researching healthy food
and body care products, made from organic produce for the present-
day market - Providing employment to local people.

Healt products:
Noodles, Flours, Oils, Sauces and spreads, Energy food,Yogi tea and
Figure 19 Kottakarai Organic Food Processing Unit
masala tea powders based on ayurvedic principles, Health drinks and
Neem leaf powder.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 14

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

5.7.3 The solar kitchen:

Since December 1997,This place has served lunches in its Dining Hall and in the same time sent lunches
to different outlets like schools or individuals.
Besides the 300 or so who come to eat in it, the Kitchen also feeds around 200 people in outlying
communities.
The kitchen delivers a further 540 meals to Auroville's various schools and service centres, including
the main grocery and domestic 'shop' Pour Tous. After 45 Solar Kitchen staff have also eaten, the
average number of meals served daily by the Kitchen rises to over 1000.

Figure 20 Soalr kitchen Staff Figure 21 Soalr kitchen Building

5.8 Focused Study of Peace Zone:

The strongest element of this zone is the Matrimandir sphere. A Meditation center where workshops
and therapies take place. Considering the two figures below, we can see the strong role of natural
elements and such as different gardens and a future lake. Also so many parks and an amphitheater is
located in this zone in the proximity of Matrimandir sphere. This combination of public, private and
green areas has provided a graceful space serving the most important aims of this zone.

Figure 22 Meditation center and surroundings

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 15

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Figure23 Peace zone top view

Figure 24 Amphitheater in the proximity of Matrimandir sphere Figure 25 Beautiful landscape design in Peace zone

5.9 Conclusion and Rating:

In terms of land ethics, food production and distribution and niche agriculture, the Auroville city has a
very well function.

Considering all types of functions needed in an urban context such as educational facilities, gathering
spaces, market, etc, the city has tried its best to answer to human needs in a very efficient way. The
concentration of specific functions such as industrial or cultural facilities in their specific zone has
helped to organize the spatial quality of each zone in the city considering the type of activity there.

Also, the existence of the green belt around the city has provided a very precious potential since it
creates the possibility to produce food and, at the same time, to be used as high-quality public space.
Also, efficient food production and distribution system is perfectly working with the farming section.

Considering all above, we can say this city can reach the maximum score of this criteria of eco-
city:20/20

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 16

Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Overall Conclusion:
Climate change, global warming, and a vast sum of similar words are being spelled every second of
every minute all around the world and seemingly all of us are aware of these topics. Whilst some of us
simply turn our heads around saying that "this is not our problem" or "scientists will find a way for it"
or "I can not do anything even if I want to..." and many more ignorance quotes. Meanwhile, the other
half of us show ourselves to be involved about the circumstances, we write we talk and heat up when
the argue pops up but afterward we take a sip from our Nestle beverage with our fancy colorful straw
and ride the same car to our home, while, indeed we are concerned! But we are JUST concerned! in the
meantime in some corners of this out-of-breath planet, some people are doing somewhat way beyond
being JUST CONCERNED!

Being said that whatever these communities and experimental cities intending to do and whatever
amount of accomplishment they achieve, it's certain that they are pioneers of saving our planet and it
should be warmly gratitude.

During this study, we've been through detailed information of Auroville in five Criteria and as already
mentioned following marks were resulted; Mobility=16, Energy Consumption and Production=20,
Waste=17, Jobs, and Equity=19 and Land Use Ethics=20 and as an aggregation of all 18.5 have
resulted.

Although in many aspects even their own visions are not fulfilled but having an 18.5 mark is a sign of
overall success for a community that is based in a poor infrastructured country. Therefore instead of
blind criticism of these endeavors, they deserve a standing ovation and we should cross our fingers for
a dream of having more of these examples all around us.

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 17

 Auroville, The City of Dawn D.Farrokh S.Isildar N.Basimi R.Farahbakhsh

Reference Documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxv_AnIHH1E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbQkXASZIug

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51mXZ-zoYPU&feature=emb_err_woyt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU40Ba4GXjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PddYhff8be8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMFYIT3HnTE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv875PK5V8w

References Websites:

https://www.auroville.org/

https://unitypavilion.auroville.org/home/international-zone/

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/auroville-land-funding/reports/

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=fabos

http://gubbi.org/auroville-solar-kitchen/

http://wikimapia.org/20770091/Matrimandir-Gardens-Auroville-Centre

https://health-tips.ca/auroville-india-s-famed-utopian-community/

https://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/roads/2015/07/auroville_india_s_famed_utopian_c
ommunity_struggles_with_crime_and_corruption.html?via=gdpr-consent

Reference Papers:

Auroville: city of the dawn, city of the future, now. (Ian Parker,2018)
Auroville: An Architectural Laboratory (Anupama Kundoo,2007)
You can find utopia in India – if you’re willing to close your eyes (Ian Jack, The Guardians)

Eco-City Prof. Richard Ingersoll 18

View publication stats