Green Momentum

September 30th, 2009

House Recycling Verses Squatting

Eco groups say they are ‘recycling’ empty buildings to save the planet.  Welcome to the new face of recycling – squatting with a purpose.

This is a craze which is rapidly spreading all over the country, vacant buildings and unused land are being ‘rescued’ by squatters and turned into ecologically sustainable communities.

An example of this is The Spike in south London, an old Dept of Transport building; it was transformed by eco warriors and artists from a crack den into a community centre, with a well-being clinic and yoga classes. Another community have set up at Kew Bridge; it has 15 full-time residents who live on produce or food found on ‘skip-runs’; sound systems, drink and drugs are banned as they alienate people.

Although these groups attract the stereotypical squatter they are also joined by graduates, activists and young professionals.  As a result they are well informed on their rights and manage to research their next locations via tip-offs on Google Earth.  The groups are insistent that they only ever intend to make use of the property or land while it is vacant and not prevent any development projects.

Is this an acceptable way to beat the housing crisis and/or the credit crunch?

Tags: development, ecologically sustainable communities, housing crisis, Recycling, squatting | Posted in Life Change, Recycling, Self sufficiency