Emerson Commons Vision and Values
Emerson Commons members crafted vision and values statements which are intended to inform policy development, governance, and the interaction of members with one another and guests.
Vision Statement
Emerson Commons is a multi-generational neighborhood in central Virginia in which all residents may grow and flourish in an atmosphere of mutual respect and intentional civility. The community promotes respect for the personal privacy of members, cultivates the free association of members in collaborative projects and encourages the mutual assistance and associations that create community. The community welcomes individuals of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, gender, family and cultural backgrounds to participate in, and become members of Emerson Commons.
Values Statement
Emerson Commons actively promotes, nurtures, and supports the following key features of cohousing communities:
Friendship. In cohousing neighborhoods friendships naturally develop as the interests and values of others are discovered which complement one’s own. These discoveries occur spontaneously in community projects and the multiple opportunities individuals have to interact with one another. In multigenerational and diverse communities like Emerson Commons, friendships and associations span across age, ethnicity, cultural, and religious dimensions, thus creating almost limitless variety and opportunity for personal growth, social learning, and fulfilling associations with others.
Family. Emerson Commons is planned as a family friendly environment in which children should feel free to seek out and play with other children. Like many cohousing communities, Emerson will have large, planned green spaces where children are free to roam with friends. And since Emerson is planned as a multi-generational and diverse community, parents are able to benefit from the life experience of neighbors whose backgrounds may be quite different from their own.
Diversity. Emerson Commons is based on a respect for diversity in all its forms. It welcomes as residents singles, single parent families, and traditional and non-traditional families, children, young adults, the middle aged and seniors. Finally, Emerson Commons welcomes individuals of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, gender, family and cultural backgrounds to participate in, and become members of, the community.
A Balance of Privacy and Community. Cohousing neighborhoods are designed to respect individual privacy as well as opportunity for social engagement. In general, a person’s home is their private space and small yards or private outdoor areas are planned in Emerson’s community design. These areas complement shared spaces which one may also enjoy with others.
Access to Shared Resources. Cohousing communities provide members access to community resources that might otherwise be unavailable to the lone homeowner. For instance, most co-housing communities have a common house in which community events occur. However, these common houses may also be used by community members for family gatherings or events, external community presentations, or temporary apartments for family visitors. Emerson has a Common House as well as swimming pool and plans other shared spaces for community members, including an orchard and gardens.
Lower Cost of Living. Cohousing residents share many costs. For instance, community dinners make meals available to participating residents on a shared expense basis. Costs for lawn and garden supplies, equipment and maintenance are split amongst all members It is not uncommon for community residents to share in bulk purchases and residents often barter skills and services.
Lower Environmental Impact. Most cohousing communities embrace the importance of minimizing the environmental impact of the community on the surrounding area. This environmental consciousness is often expressed in housing design, the embrace of alternative energy, and the development of community gardens or orchards. All housing at Emerson Commons has solar systems that can be expanded, high R value insulation, and energy efficient windows.
Safety. Cohousing neighborhoods are planned to maximize the safety of residents. The village structure of clustered housing with pathway access to each residence creates a village atmosphere that invites spontaneous interaction from the front porch of each. In this environment where neighbor knows neighbor, every resident willingly shares in the oversight of safety for the neighborhood. And like many cohousing communities, Emerson has moved the automobile to the periphery, minimizing pedestrian accidents.
Vision Statement
Emerson Commons is a multi-generational neighborhood in central Virginia in which all residents may grow and flourish in an atmosphere of mutual respect and intentional civility. The community promotes respect for the personal privacy of members, cultivates the free association of members in collaborative projects and encourages the mutual assistance and associations that create community. The community welcomes individuals of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, gender, family and cultural backgrounds to participate in, and become members of Emerson Commons.
Values Statement
Emerson Commons actively promotes, nurtures, and supports the following key features of cohousing communities:
Friendship. In cohousing neighborhoods friendships naturally develop as the interests and values of others are discovered which complement one’s own. These discoveries occur spontaneously in community projects and the multiple opportunities individuals have to interact with one another. In multigenerational and diverse communities like Emerson Commons, friendships and associations span across age, ethnicity, cultural, and religious dimensions, thus creating almost limitless variety and opportunity for personal growth, social learning, and fulfilling associations with others.
Family. Emerson Commons is planned as a family friendly environment in which children should feel free to seek out and play with other children. Like many cohousing communities, Emerson will have large, planned green spaces where children are free to roam with friends. And since Emerson is planned as a multi-generational and diverse community, parents are able to benefit from the life experience of neighbors whose backgrounds may be quite different from their own.
Diversity. Emerson Commons is based on a respect for diversity in all its forms. It welcomes as residents singles, single parent families, and traditional and non-traditional families, children, young adults, the middle aged and seniors. Finally, Emerson Commons welcomes individuals of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, gender, family and cultural backgrounds to participate in, and become members of, the community.
A Balance of Privacy and Community. Cohousing neighborhoods are designed to respect individual privacy as well as opportunity for social engagement. In general, a person’s home is their private space and small yards or private outdoor areas are planned in Emerson’s community design. These areas complement shared spaces which one may also enjoy with others.
Access to Shared Resources. Cohousing communities provide members access to community resources that might otherwise be unavailable to the lone homeowner. For instance, most co-housing communities have a common house in which community events occur. However, these common houses may also be used by community members for family gatherings or events, external community presentations, or temporary apartments for family visitors. Emerson has a Common House as well as swimming pool and plans other shared spaces for community members, including an orchard and gardens.
Lower Cost of Living. Cohousing residents share many costs. For instance, community dinners make meals available to participating residents on a shared expense basis. Costs for lawn and garden supplies, equipment and maintenance are split amongst all members It is not uncommon for community residents to share in bulk purchases and residents often barter skills and services.
Lower Environmental Impact. Most cohousing communities embrace the importance of minimizing the environmental impact of the community on the surrounding area. This environmental consciousness is often expressed in housing design, the embrace of alternative energy, and the development of community gardens or orchards. All housing at Emerson Commons has solar systems that can be expanded, high R value insulation, and energy efficient windows.
Safety. Cohousing neighborhoods are planned to maximize the safety of residents. The village structure of clustered housing with pathway access to each residence creates a village atmosphere that invites spontaneous interaction from the front porch of each. In this environment where neighbor knows neighbor, every resident willingly shares in the oversight of safety for the neighborhood. And like many cohousing communities, Emerson has moved the automobile to the periphery, minimizing pedestrian accidents.
