An environment shapes a culture.
Design influences how people behave
and move about in their world,
for better or worse.
Nawaya :
adjective
free. limitless. free will. boundless.
translated from Iloko (Ilocano) (Pilippines)
WHY A VILLAGE?
A solution-based village empowers us to:
Build community resilience
to prepare, respond & adapt to gentrification, food access needs, socio-economic challenges & other complexities of life
Reduce our ecological footprint & respond to environmental degradation
Cultivate and access fresh, organic, nutrient-rich & ethically-grown foods
Build deeper community relationships, beneficial systems & autonomy
Transition from systemic oppressive & exploitative influence
LOCATION: Blue Ridge Mountains, WNC
ᎡᎳᏬᏗᏱ (E-la-wo-di-yi) | ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East)
We come with respect and gratitude to this land and the original people who have and do reside here. It is our responsibility & honor to work for reconciliation & to reframe our relationship with indigenous land & community.
GEOGRAPHY
An incredibly biodiverse region with abundant water, potent flora and breathtaking, protective mountains.
VICINITY TO ASHEVILLE
The proximity to the popular destination city makes Nawaya Village desirable to both locals and visitors.
ZONING OPPORTUNITIES
Rural communities in WNC have many flexible zoning regulations, with room to develop more consciously.
PEOPLE + SKILLS
WNC has attracted people of all ages with vast skill sets beneficial for generative development (i.e. herbalism, mutual aid, sustainability, etc.)