There are so many alternative pathways towards owning the land other than sole proprietorship.  These alternative pathways can serve as models for building communities that are long lasting, create pathways towards vested interest and residency, build resilience and regenerate the land.   Here's a list of some alternatives:   

• Land Share Cooperative (Coop)
• Community Land Trust (CLT)
• Private Membership Association (PMA) under a Non-profit
• Resident Owned Cooperative (ROC)
• Hybrid CLT/Coop
• Limited Equity Housing Cooperative (LEHC)
• Mutual Aid Society
• Ecological Land Cooperative (ELC)
• Condominium Ownership (Condo)
• Housing Association
• Baugruppen (Building Groups)
• Co-Housing
• Tenancy in Common (TIC)
• Collective Homesteading
• Trusteeship.

​Here's the list with definitions: Here are definitions for each of the terms you're interested in:

 1. Land Share Coop
Land Share Cooperative (or Land Coop) is a cooperative model where members collectively own and manage a piece of land. Each member buys shares in the cooperative, which entitles them to certain rights, such as access to the land, potential use of housing, or other facilities. Decisions about the use and management of the land are made democratically by the members, often adhering to principles of sustainability, community governance, and shared responsibility. The cooperative does not provide individual land ownership but instead focuses on collective stewardship and shared benefits.

 2. Community Land Trust (CLT)
A Community Land Trusis a non-profit, community-based organization designed to ensure long-term land affordability, primarily for housing or agricultural purposes. The CLT acquires land and holds it "in trust" for the community, separating ownership of the land from the buildings on it. Individuals or families can own homes or buildings but lease the land under long-term agreements (often 99-year leases). This structure helps to prevent land speculation, ensure housing remains affordable, and maintain local control over development.

3. Private Membership Association (PMA) under a Non-profit
A Private Membership Association (PMA) is a legal structure where a group of individuals form an association that operates outside of public law, often under private contracts. In a PMA, members voluntarily join and agree to certain terms and conditions set by the association. When organized under a Non-profit entity, the PMA operates for the benefit of its members and can focus on various missions (e.g., health services, education, or religious practices). It can provide services to members that might otherwise be regulated under public law, provided they stay within the bounds of private contractual arrangements. PMAs offer a level of autonomy and privacy for members, particularly when tied to a non-profit's mission.

 4.Resident Owned Cooperative (ROC)
A Resident Owned Cooperative (ROC) is a cooperative housing model where residents collectively own and manage the property they live on. Typically used for mobile home parks or multifamily housing developments, the ROC allows residents to purchase shares in the cooperative, making them part-owners of the entire property. This model gives residents control over rent, management decisions, and long-term stability, protecting them from displacement or external investors. Each household is a cooperative member, with one vote in decision-making, ensuring democratic control.

5. Hybrid CLT/Coop
A Hybrid CLT/Coop combines elements of a **Community Land Trust** and a **Cooperative**. In this model, the CLT owns the land and ensures its long-term affordability, while the **Cooperative** manages the housing or buildings on that land. Members of the coop typically own shares in the cooperative, giving them control over the governance and operation of the housing or communal structures. Meanwhile, the CLT provides stewardship of the land to keep it affordable and accessible for the community. This hybrid model blends the benefits of collective land ownership and management with the flexibility and autonomy of co-op living.
6. Limited Equity Housing Cooperative (LEHC)A Limited Equity Housing Cooperative is a type of cooperative where members can purchase shares, but there are restrictions on how much equity they can gain when they sell those shares. This model keeps housing affordable in the long term by preventing runaway property values while still allowing members some financial return. It is commonly used in urban settings to combat gentrification and provide affordable housing.
7. Mutual Aid SocietyA Mutual Aid Society is a voluntary association formed to provide mutual assistance, financial aid, or services to its members. These societies historically pooled resources to assist with common goals like healthcare, insurance, or support during times of need. Modern mutual aid societies often operate around shared housing, food, or land management in small, self-organized communities.
8. Ecological Land Cooperative (ELC)An Ecological Land Cooperative focuses on securing land for sustainable and ecological farming or living practices. The ELC acquires land, which is then leased to individuals or groups who commit to ecological and regenerative land management practices. Like a CLT, the ELC retains ownership of the land while providing long-term leases.
9. Condominium Ownership (Condo)In a Condominium Ownership model, individuals own specific units in a building or complex, but common areas (e.g., hallways, gardens, etc.) are collectively owned and managed by an association of all the individual unit owners. Condominiums allow for individual property ownership within a community, with shared responsibilities for common spaces and amenities.
10. Housing AssociationA Housing Association is a non-profit organization that owns and manages properties, providing affordable housing to those in need. Residents typically do not own their homes or units but rent them from the association, which is tasked with keeping the housing affordable and maintained. In some cases, housing associations may involve tenants in governance or decision-making.
11. Baugruppen (Building Groups)A Baugruppen, or Building Group, is a German model for collective housing development where future residents band together to develop their own housing projects. The group collectively purchases land, designs the building, and hires contractors. Each household owns their own unit within the collectively developed building, with shared responsibilities for the management of communal spaces. This model encourages collaboration and often results in more affordable and sustainable housing projects.
12. Co-HousingCo-Housing is a model where residents live in private homes but share extensive common facilities, such as kitchens, gardens, or recreation areas. These communities are typically designed to encourage social interaction and collective governance while allowing individuals to own or rent their homes. The community is run by residents, who manage common spaces and decisions collectively.
13. Tenancy in Common (TIC)In a Tenancy in Common model, multiple people co-own a property and have individual shares in that property. Each owner has the right to use the entire property, but their share is often a percentage, and the terms of the arrangement can vary. This model allows for shared ownership of land or buildings but requires careful legal agreements to define the rights and responsibilities of each tenant.
14. Collective HomesteadingCollective Homesteading refers to groups of individuals or families who come together to live on and collectively manage a large piece of rural land. Each member might have their own plot or home, but the land itself is often managed in common, with shared goals around self-sufficiency, sustainability, or communal living.
15. TrusteeshipA Trusteeship model involves placing land or assets into a trust, which is managed by trustees on behalf of a community or group of beneficiaries. This is often used for preserving land or resources for future generations, ensuring that decisions are made in the community's or ecosystem's long-term interest.
Each of these models offers different structures for managing land, housing, and community, allowing flexibility in ownership, governance, and collective responsibility. They can be customized or combined to meet the needs of specific projects, especially those focusing on sustainability, affordability, or shared stewardship.

One of the major issues facing those wanting to create 'eco-villages' and resilient community design would be land acquisition.  Acquiring land for these projects boils down to either the land being donated in some way, or the money put forth to buy the land.   One way that GEC is looking into to create a 'viral' process of land acquisition would be the idea of creating a limited equity Coop model under a LLC and selling 'shares' for a land purchase fund. The shares represent the occupants and the number of shares will equal the number of units or occupancy sites on the land.  While we know that land purchasing costs generally run about 20% of the total cost of development, this system would allow the members to pool money together and depending on the total cost of the land, quite possibly have the land costs paid outright for a lot less then what a buy would pay for buying an individual plot of land equal to what they normally could afford.  Further more we propose putting that land under a trust  through it could be possible to keep it under the Coop model/LLC.

The Convergence held in Hopland, Sept 21,22, and 23 was an amazing event. I will be uploading my notes for those of you interested.  I personally attended a half dozen presentations from algae harvesting to the emergence of the new economy.  I gave a presentation on ownership models that focused on both their definitions and what possible solutions.  Sad to say, we ran out of time and I failed to get the notes from the attendees that were in charge of the break away groups.  Hopefully as the word gets out, I will receive their notes.

Tianjin Housing Projec

GEC is always open to new ideas.  The very concept of  implementing urban ecological designs into the general development paradigm is something that has been a lot slower to happen then one would have hoped.  Twenty years ago when I was a work study student for the campus center for appropriate technology I got to see what a net-zero house could look like.  It wasn't rocket science then and it isn't now.  I'm convinced that our food and energy needs can be solved now and that economics and politics are what hold us back.  For example, if the U.S took the billions spent on warfare technology and turned that to sustainable development would the need to take oil from other countries be so great?  

All over the world, countries are making steps on so many levels to build ecological harmony into the paradigm. But it's got to happen both faster and more comprehensive if we are going to allow for a bright future.  A future that shares this planet with all of the wonders AND the people.  Basic ecology tells us that we really are dependent upon the relationships we have with the other plants and animals on this planet.  It's a web and that web is frayed.  We can't know when it will collapse...and we can work together to prevent it from happening.  

I'll be reviewing three current eco-city projects that are happening through out the world and reporting back my results. Until then create a great day!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by.  GEC is currently looking for architects, a marketer to join the team.   Please contact us  if you're interested. Thanks!