CO-CREATION
IT STARTS WITH DESIRE
CO-CREATION
THE SHAPE
THE CIRCLE
THE CORNERS
CO-CREATION
A hectare village starts with the wish of several people to want to live there. So what do we need in order to realize this? Commitment and cooperation might be necessary. That is also called co-creation for this purpose! It is a concept introduced by Anastasia.
A MOVEMENT
You could say that Co-Creation is a movement towards harmonious coexistence with each other, nature, the planet and all the important value systems that make our lives meaningful, bringing together our diverse talents for a specific purpose, in order to achieve a new creation to come and restore our Earth to her glory. There is enough for everyone!
Thus co-creation also starts with the creation of your own kin-domain! But how does that work?
THE MYSTERY
The creation of your own family estate can be done in many different ways. Some do that largely in mind. Others make drawings, paintings, or plans of how they want to organize their hectare of land. There are also people who do not yet have land to manage, but who are already growing trees and shrubs in pots. They are placed on the balcony or in the garden (or even indoors if you do not have a balcony or garden).
BREEDS
The idea behind it is that at a certain point these tree saplings want to go into the ground. And mysteriously, the universe suddenly knows about it, and perhaps through a special concatenated series of events, one acre of land is allotted just like that. Whether it is true or not, we will of course only find out if it actually happens. But a nice thought, and a pleasant prospect it is!
PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW
That’s why it might be useful, also from a practical point of view, to just start thinking and feeling about what you want your acres to look like. That is separate from the (future) village surrounding it.
Once in practice for example, it turns out that people who have been allocated a hectare of land, first of all start planting an average of about 200 trees per family. In addition, there are about 50 fruit trees. Bushes and berry bushes: an average of 2000 per family.
WHAT WHERE?
To anticipate this, you could, for instance, make a green plan and map of your (future) hectare. Which trees and shrubs do you prefer? Where do you plant these relative to the course of the sun during the day? And where do you want shelter from the sun and wind?
Once you’ve figuered this out, you might want to collect seeds and grow trees, now you know which ones you want and where you might want to plant them, even if you have no land as of YET.
PLANNING
You can also think about the place where you would want a small pond or other body of water, and in which part you would like to live. So what does your housing look like and where do you want it? And what kind of business would you like to run? Is that mainly office work, small scale farming, or is there a large greenhouse to grow conifers? (a conifer such as Pinus Siberica). A combination of multiple income sources or value systems is always possible. Or do you live in the village and work in a big city?
UNUSUAL
It is somewhat unusual to be busy with such a planning in advance, while no land is available yet. However, because of this, people know better what they want. They are also better attuned to achieving the goal. After all, we are in a transitional situation. And that requires extra attention and commitment. So when the moment suprème presents itself, you can quickly switch.
You could therefore also already purchase breeding seeds of the crops that you want to have on your family domain. And make mutual agreements with future villagers. For example, about dividing tasks and how people organize themselves. What are the specialties and preferences of everyone?
DESIGN AT SCALE
With the help of a floor plan with a scale, you can also make the layout more concrete on the correct scale. This way you can see how you can make the best use of the space.
This can of course change, once people are concretely present on the hectare plot.
LAYOUT AREA
Perhaps one stands with one’s feet on the loose earth, absorbing the environment. And then people will again determine where they would like to plant or place, and what.
That is because the area has its own layout, character and history. There may be a stream of water at the lowest point of the area. A pond may then be created there.
And what does the hectare border on? Is there already nature in the area?
What does the environment look like? Are there any obstacles, or is the ground completely empty and flat?
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DETERMINE THE SHAPE
A hexagonal hectare offers many variations for layout on the property. Connected together they create a flexible hexagonal pattern. However, one can also opt for the shape of, for example, a rectangle. Many of the plots in today’s agriculture are rectangles, often of varying lengths and widths. These alternate with other irregular shapes. This creates a colorful patchwork quilt, which you can clearly see when you’re on an airplane.
SMALL SCALE SKETCHES
First we might want to make a few sketches of the hectare on a small scale.
When you draw a hexagonal shape on a large sheet of paper or cardboard, for example on A1-format, you can then cut it out.
You can then scale the surface for one hectare and fill in creativly with fine-liners, felt-tip pens or paint.
Or make a collage on the hexagonal shape by tearing or cutting from old magazines, photos and illustrations. You then stick it on the paper in layers.
Possibly you can make collages together with others, and place the hexagons next to each other on the floor. This way you can see which neighbors best match each other’s designs.
For example, creating a shared forest on a three-point vertex, which is composed of three quarter hectares, which together creates almost one hectare of forest.
CREATION ON LOCATION
Do you have one or more hectare plots in real life? Then the hectares can also be drawn directly on the ground in full size.
This requires a few simple tools, which can go a long way! It is even feasible to stake out an entire village using this technique.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THIS?
All one needs is a rope or cord, a stick, and a tent peg. This allows us to align the hectares. With a bit of luck you will be ready in terms of material costs under ten dollars.
MESSY DRAWER
For example, one can use a cord or rope that is 100 yards long. Sometimes such a ball of rope has been sitting in a messy drawer for years. But what will it cost new? Like two dollars or so?
In practice, a slightly thicker cord than depicted above can be useful, as a thin cord used to measure a longer distance quickly becomes tangled. But it can be done with this (tried it, it worked perfectly when rolled off from a rolling pin, an empty bottle might work as well)
Albeit for a first start, such cord can at least indicate the distances reasonably well. But before we go any further, we now need to know the dimensions of a hexagonal hectare. You can calculate this using different formulas.
DIMENSIONS AND COÖRDINATES
Are you as good at math as the founder of this website? Then it is best to use an online calculator.
Image at the right (below for mobile) is actually an online calculator that works with various units of measurement, such as meters or yards.
For a good calculation, it is important to first place all measurement windows of the entire row on the unit of measurement ‘yd’ = yards (defaults to cm).
Only with Area = Surface, you set the measurement window to ‘ac’ which is the abbreviation for acre, or depending what you want to calculate, you can also set it on ha = hectare measurement. In front of those values, you type the relevant number you want to calculate, e.g. ‘1’. So 1 ac, or 1 ha. Or square yard: 1 yd2, ha2, etcetera.
When you place your cursor and type a number in front of a relevant unit of measurement, all other length measurements are filled in automatically.
ON A SIDE NOTE
It should be noticed that the straight lines of the mathematical hexagonal shape might no longer be recognizeable on the actual plot. These will soon be overgrown by grass and crops, trees and forest.
And if you would incorporate wider and smaller curves in your design, by drawing circles around the corners of the hexagonal shape, and plant along those curvatures, a Flower of Life pattern might emerge, which gives the landscape more of a natural view.
RESULT CALCULATION
On the left side (above for mobile phone or tablet), you see all length calculations of the various dimensions of the official mathematical hexagonal size of 1 Hectare.
Side (a) = Side (a), these are the 6 outer sides, they are each 62.04 meters (m).
At Area = Surface there is 1 Hectare (1 ha).
Perimeter = the Circumference = 372.24 m.
The long diagonals (d) are each 124.08 m.
The short diagonals (s) are 107.46.
The Circumcircle radius (R) = the radius of the circle.
And the Apothem (r) = the distance from the center of a side to the center of a hexagon.
THE LONG DIAGONALS
And how do we place the shape? A hexagon has three long diagonal lines on the inside.
Each line connects from one outer corner to its opposite corner. And all three lines overlap at the center of the hexagon.
THE NORTH/SOUTH-AXIS
The kin domains in a Flower of Life Village have their hexagonal shapes in a vertical or
‘standing’ position
When one of the three diagonals is placed vertical, the upper end points North, and than automatically the other end points South. Then this line forms the north/south axis of the hectare.
This makes the hexagonal shape on paper visually looking as ‘standing’, thus on the southern point.
THE x AND + AXES
The x Axes
Two of the three diagonal lines are also shown as the x-axes, above depicted in grey colour. Both diagonal lines run from outer western and eastern corners to their opposites.
The + Axes
The + axes above depicted in blue are composed of the vertical north/south axis, and the horizontal ‘apothem’ that runs from the western side to the eastern side (or vice versa).
The Apothem
This apothem forms the east/west axis.
It is the only line in the star shaped composition of the lines, that is shorter than the other 3 diagonal lines pointing to the corners.
THE ANGLE DEGREES
A hexagon has three measures with regard to the degrees of the angles. The outer corners are each 120 degrees.
The + axes form 90 degree angles in the center of the hexagon.
The angles formed around the center by the x and + axes combined are 60 degrees.
LENGTH LONG DIAGONALS
In the format of a hexagonal hectare, each long diagonal -which streches from all corners to their opposite corners-, have a length of 124.8 meters. In the English unit of measurement, the lengths of the long diagonals is 136.4 yards.
HALF DIAGONAL
The half length of each long diagonal in a hexagonal hectare is 62 meters and 4 centimeters. So this is the length from the center of the surface to any outer corner. This half diagonal line is also called the Circumcircle radius (R).
THE SIX SIDES
The six sides of the hexagonal hectare have the same length as the half-diagonal, and are thus each 62.04 meters or 67.85 yards.
When the length of the half-diagonal is enlarged, e.g. to 64 meters or 70 yards, the 6 sides of the hexagon will get the same length. And logically, the total ground surface will be slightly larger than one hectare or 2.4 acres, which will be 2.6 acres then.
70 YARDS OR 64 METERS
For the certification of the Earth Hectare Grid, it was decided to internationally coördinate the dimensions of the hexagonal hectares by slightly adjusting their circumcircle radius.
While searching for an answer it appeared that by rounding the numbers up, the dimensions could be simply equalized, both for the metrical- and imperial measurement systems. These are the values of a circumcircle radius of 70 yards and 64 meters, which are equally in length, and are both round numbers.
If not rounded, one would have to work with inches and centimeters after the decimal point. This would be a bit of a hassle for the layout of the six sides of the hectare in actual size.
And it wouldn’t be for one measure only, but would lead to more divergent numbers for other measures of the hexagonal hectare also. Thus it was key to find numbers that are easy to work with in both systems of measurement.
NEW DEFAULT VALUE
The new default value for the half long diagonal is then 64 metres for the metric system, and 70 yards for the imperial system. Using the circumcircle radius (see picture above) a circle can be created around the hexagonal hectare. This circle connects all six outer corners.
At the picture to the right (or below for mobile), one can see all deriviated numbers of the other measurements when the Circumcircle radius (R) has been set to 70 yard. So, a hexagonal hectare with a circumcircle radius of 70 yards, will also have six sides that are each 70 yards.
And the ground Area is therefore slightly larger than the exact dimensions of a mathematical hexagonal hectare.
HALF DIAGONAL 70 YARDS
MAXIMUM 1.3 HECTARE
1.3 hectares is the maximum size that a plot in a hectare village may have. This is only permitted due to unevenness or obstacles in the terrain. Think of the location along a canal, the shore of which must remain free. Or there is a start of a steep hill, and so on.
MAXIMUM RADIUS AND SIDES
If the increased size of a 1.3 hectare were also laid out in the shape of a hexagon, it would have a maximum radius (R) and sides (a) of 70.74 meters or 77.36 yards, and a total width of 122.52 meters (the Apothem double counted). (see online calculator).
EXCEPTIONS
It is not recommended however to set up an entire village with the larger measures of 1.3 hectare or 3.2 acres, as these sizes are only ment as an exception for individual hectares.
In the setting of a hectares-village, it is better to have all the hectare-plots the same size, so that the hexagonal pattern of the village’s infrastructure is regular.
However, when one larger 1.3 hectare, or 3.2 acres, is embedded in a hectares-village where all hectares are smaller and equal in size, it wouldn’t fit in the pattern and other solutions must be found.
Solutions could be such as obtaining a small piece of land elsewhere in the village, or using the entire hectare-plot as a hectare-unit for livestock or recreation (thus not destined as a family-domain).
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DRAWING THE CIRCLE
Now we can draw a circle on a ground area
that is the size of a hectare or 2.6 acres.
This can be done with the aforementioned aids:
a rope or cord, a stick, and an attachment point.
There are also different construction methods.
But this one is really so simple that anyone can do it.
It goes like this:
SIMPLE METHOD
The beginning of the rope or cord is tied in the middle of the acre. How can you do that? This can be done, for example, by connecting it to a pole or tent peg. For the latter, the terrain must be level, for example a meadow. Either someone holds the rope, or a chair is put down.
Then a board or a small branch of a tree can be tied to the end of the cord or rope. A sturdy bamboo stick may also be suitable. With this one can mark the ground while walking a circle around the center of the hectare, while one draws a line in the ground with the stick or the plank. Make sure that the cord or rope remains taut in a tight line.
When the ground is hard, and no line can be drawn in the earth, the circle can also be marked differently.
MARKING THE LINE
If it is only for a short time, this can be done very primitively with objects from the environment such as pebbles. Or by means of a second cord on the ground. For permanent demarcation of the outside corners and the terrain, wooden posts of about one meter high can also be placed.
Incidentally, to indicate the outer corners, one can also align the hectare by means of light projections.
DRAWING THE ROADS
Can one also build the roads around the hectare right on the spot? Yes, that is possible. In order to draw the road one can extend the diagonal cord by, for example, 3 or 4 yards. That is the suggested minimum width of the common roads.
If one borders on a wider access road from the village, this can also be 5 yards, or maybe even wider.
So if you extend the cord with a few extra yards for the road, one can draw a second large encircling circle with the extention. This outer circle can be used to demarcate the surrounding roads of the hectare.
Then you need a cord with a length of, for example, 74 yards. The cord can be marked with a ribbon or for instance a clothespin on the point where the road will start, which is also the boundary of the plot.
A second ribbon then comes where the width of the road ends on the other side. That is the area to which the neighboring hectare borders.
The neighbors on their turn can also build their hectares in the same way. When the measurements are correct, the results will be exactly the same and the hectare plots will fit nicely together. So with every plot, one measures from the inside out, till one connects with the next plot.
NORTH-SOUTH DETERMINATION
After drawing the circle it is important to determine the North. Because that’s where the first corner of the hexagonal hectare comes in. This is easy to do using a compass.
First, using the diagonal cord, we draw a line toward the North. And then, in extension, a line to the south.
THE ALIGNMENT
A fold-out vertical slot has also been created on some compasses. When you look through this, you can see a spot in the distance at the indicated point of the compass pointer. So if you have it aligned correctly, it points to the North. Then you can align the cord accordingly.
NEW BOUNDARIES
Compasses come with different functions and prices. You can buy one for around 3 euros, but also expensive ones for professional navigation. Thus the latter might add up to the previous mentioned 10 dollars of investment to actually aquire land and set up new boundaries.
WHERE IS NORTH?
But where exactly is North? A compass aligns with the magnetic north of our planet. It is located around the center of the North Pole. However, this is not geographic North, which is based on the supposed rotational axis of our planet Earth.
It is known that magnetic north can fluctuate by hundreds of kilometers. So if hectares are built worldwide with the tip pointing to the magnetic North, this pattern will also fluctuate somewhat. But there are also other methods.
A better option might be to determine where the sun rises on the horizon. You can do that every day, and also at the time of the Equinox (the spring and fall point).
Then the sun is directly above the equator (day and night are the same length everywhere in the world) and the sun rises exactly in the east (with the exception of the poles). Turned a quarter circle to the left from the point of sunrise, is North.
THE NORTH STAR
When one is in the Northern Hemisphere, it is also possible to determine North using the North Star. This star shines above the North Pole and is an estimated 433.8 light-years from Earth.
POLARIS
The North Star, also called Polaris, is aligned with the supposed rotational axis of our Earth. Therefore, from our position, it looks like all the other stars are orbiting Polaris.
The star is recognizable in the constellation Ursa Minor (also known as the Little Dipper) at the end of a line. Together with Ursa Major it gives an image of two saucepans.
DRAW THE LINE FROM ABOVE
When you have discovered Polaris, you imaginatively draw a vertical line from the star to the horizon. That’s the North Point!
According to astronomers, Polaris’s position to the North will change at some point in the distant future, millions of years from now. Then another star will take its place.
SIRIUS
You can also aim at magnetic north using a compass in the southern hemisphere, but this compass has to be adjusted for the southern hemisphere.
This is because the starry sky seen from the southern hemisphere also ‘rotates’ visually, but there is no significant star visible with which to align.
A number of stars do approach the southern point though, such as Sirius, but that has then to be observed in constellation with other stars as Sirius is not exactly in the middle of the rotating night sky.
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DETERMINING THE OUTER CORNERS
How do we determine the outer corners, thus the angles of 120 degrees? This can be done by drawing a ‘Flower Of Life’ pattern. The basic shape consists of seven circles that overlap each other. Where they overlap, coordination points are created. These are located on the diagonals of the underlying hexagon. So using the circles, one can easily draw a hexagon. And so they also construct a Flower Of Life pattern at the same time. Also on a large scale!
FLOWER OF LIFE
So how can we create a Flower of Life pattern? One starts with the circle in the middle, which is the center circle.
Below you see the circles drawn one by one. The blue dot in the center is the center of the first circle you draw, as well as the center of the hectare (the 2.5 acres).
THE NORTH CIRCLE
Then determine the north point on the circle. Marked with an N in the picture. This will be the new center of the second circle which one draws next. Thus from that point you draw the second circle. This is the North Circle.
UPPER COORDINATES
Both right and left two new coordination points are created where the circles overlap. These are also marked with a blue dot, and indicate the north of the hectare. From these points circles can also be drawn around.
LOWER COORDINATES
And so there are also overlapping circles in the south of the center circle, colored pink. Together with the blue dots, they form the coordinates of the diagonals of the hectare. The diagonals point towards the outer corners of the hectare!
CREATING THE OUTLINE
By drawing lines between all the outer corners, the outline of your hexagonal hectare is formed. After that, what else can you do? Well, now you have actually finished the layout of your two and a half acres! So one can just jump in, take this quantum leap on your own family domain!
TOGETHER?
Now what? Well, if you’ve made it this far: Thank you for your interest! Maybe we can co-create this together?
Next Page VILLAGE: ENERGY
May Peace Be With Us
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