What Is Intentional Community Living, And Why Is It Growing?

An intentional community is, at its simplest, a group of people who choose to live near one another around a shared set of values, whether that is sustainability, faith, culture, or simply a genuine commitment to knowing your neighbours. It is different from a standard housing estate or gated development, where proximity is often the only thing residents have in common.

The appeal tends to show up in a few consistent themes: a desire for real, everyday community rather than isolated suburban living; interest in sustainable building and food systems; and a wish to be part of something being built deliberately, rather than simply purchasing a finished, anonymous product.

For the African diaspora in particular, intentional community can carry an additional layer of meaning: the chance to help shape a place from an early stage, to build wealth alongside people with a shared background and outlook, and to be part of a community's story from an early stage.

That is the thinking behind Ubuntu Eco Gardens, described in full on How It Works, and the community itself, covered on our Community Updates page. Phase One, the original founding phase, is now complete, and Phase Two is now open.