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

The community "Luminosity" has started with the wish to create "A temple for living" for its inhabitants. It consists of twelve small apartments, eight offices and big communal areas. David, one of the architects, is explaining the different aspects of the building like the new systems for waste water treatment and rain water harvest. The later will be able to provide enough water for all inhabitants of the building for the whole year. Please open the attached PDF-file in order to follow a series of 17 photos which are referred to in the talk Read more

Today’s featured interview is with Bridget of l’Avenir, explaining a bit of what’s in the housing project pipeline. Announcements include poets of Auroville reading as part of World Poetry Movement 24 Sept., Auroville Film Festival's 121 films run September 29th through October 3 and, the Residents’ Assembly Service calls for a for a complete review of the selection process for future Councils and Working Committees on Thursday 29th September at 4:30, Sri Aurobindo World Centre for Human Unity. Read more

Auroville still has lot to learn about important issues like housing. Practicing diversity in unity is not easy but as Renu noted in the interview, one of the thing common to us all is that each one of us is attached to the development of Auroville. Common agreement has to come partially from people being sensitized and understanding as to why the land is used and why is there a certain density. And maybe by all of us actively searching for solutions will bear more fruits than criticizing.

Evolution, Religion, and the Unknown God" by Georges Van Vrekhem now published; from Upasana an exhibition ‘Cotton-A Way Forward’ to be showcased in Nov. 2011; the second edition of the Auroville Triathlon will take place on Sunday 11th at New Creation Sports; ‘White Sails’ from Arseny: the idea of starting sailing action in Auroville, inspired by past experience, and time spent with a sailing and fencing club ‘The Carabela' in Russia and, l’Avenir d'Auroville announces 9 housing projects: 245 units followed by at least 270 more to follow. Read more

With announcement about temporarily "closed" doors of Entry Service caused for the first time in their mandate since 2009 to get some feedback from a cross section of the community. We need the human asset in order for community to grow, we need energy, expertise, finances - everything that committed new comer can bring. Entry Service is in charge of screening candidates, but if the community doesn't fully open the doors by providing the infrastructure necessary to welcome new comers, the Entry Service is more like bouncers.

In today's news we feature short excerpt of interview with Cecilia from the Entry Service about the announcement in last News and Notes about potential newcomers. On this Saturday and Sunday, 3rd and 4th of September between 12 to 13.30 and between 6.30 to 8pm the book "The Salt of Life" by Emanuele, with cartoons on Auroville, a sixteen years antology, will be released and signed at Tanto Pizzeria. Working Committee informs all residents that the next Governing Board and International Advisory Council meetings will take place in October. Read more

Featured today is an interview with Francis and Doris of Auroville Video Productions speaking about their recent work 'Children of Auroville' which opens Friday at Paradiso CInema, Townhall. Alsoa reminder to submit films of any length, any topic for 2011 FIlm Festival. And a chance to learn to asssemble a dismountable house this weekend and learn about Holoenergetics through a film Healing with Love, the work of Dr. Laskow, a Californian surgeon.

In today's news we feature an interview with Kavitha about Zeitgeist movement in India, and a visit of its members in Auroville. On Saturday and Sunday will be Argentine Tango Workshop for beginners & intermediates with topics on tango basics & quality of the embrace through several steps. Both days will end up witl Milongas on different locations. On Saturday at College Guest House from 10am to 5pm will be a workshop to wake up your true inner being, to discover your inner world through fairy tales. 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

The General Meeting of yesterday gives hope and shows progress. This news offers an excerpt of it; listen to the entire thing later on today on AurovilleRadio and attend the next meeting in two weeks. Annoouncements: computer classes for Seniors with teachers Uriel and Ganesh begin Thursday 21st July at 2pm, Kolam Computer Centre at New Creation. Help build Auroville by pioneering a new community! The Transit Lounge, an experiment in dis-mountable housing with common facililties presented Thursday July 28th 5 pm Town Hall Conference Roon. Read more

Today's news features an interview with Aurovilian architects Sheril and Pino. They share their viewpoints and their feelings, which result from what they have experienced in community living and, in searching for another dwelling since the recent birth of their daughter. Also in the news a few announcements: Georges van Vrekhem's 'Preparing for the Miraculous' plus news of renovation to happen in Kalabhumi for all manner of living arts and finally a reminder to be conscious with recyling. Read more

L'Avenir d'Auroville held the meeting with all architects of Auroville on main topic - how to work on development of Auroville, which is so specific and so diverse in purposes and interests. Meeting was called by Governing Board member Mr B. V. Doshi and joined by advisory member Mr. Harijit Singh Anand. As Mr.B.V. Doshi stated at his opening in Auroville many things are unknown and unclear - starting with land, demography facts, activities, housing, institutions and their connections with population, and their purposes. Establishing Development Council, which would be introduced to the Governing Board might bring some clarity and efficiently connect dispersed plans. Read more

« We are trying to increase the population of Auroville. It is going too slowly". As Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of Auroville Foundation, kindly introduced his newly released documentary film "I BELIEVE", on April 25th evening at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, he also took this opportunity to share with the audience some of his vision and set of priorities for Auroville. Although he reminded that his third term's main issue as Chairman of Auroville Foundation was the development of the City with l'Avenir d'Auroville, he also reminded that Auroville is about the growth of consciousness yearning for Aurovilians to look upon their spiritual development as well. Read more

"It takes too much time to build houses compared to the need", here is the concrete starting statement Bridget assessed to explain the reason why of the Dis-mountable Housing Project to the sixty persons who came to attend the meeting on Friday April 15th, 2011 at the Town Hall Conference Room. The Auroville Transit Lounge project team presented details, images and costs of the projects as well as the sites that are dedicated for it. Dis-mountable Housing aims at providing solutions to new comers and Aurovilians who need housing for the time being of their own house construction. Read more