Interpersonal Elements of Social Sustainability in Intentional Communities

management systems, and failure to attract new talent are challenges common to collaborative endeavors. 3 4 5 6 This introduction focuses on exploring the concept of social sustainability and defining intentional community.Our research goal was to investigate interpersonal elements of social sustainability in intentional communities.This was achieved through the lens of a comparative case study in six intentional communities, three located in Israel and three in Thailand. Social SustainabilityThree main components of sustainability have been identified in the literature: environmental, economic, and social. 7 Our research focused on the social pillar of sustainability.Of the three, social sustainability is the least standardized and most vague pillar. 8Definitions of social sustainability are myriad; different communities, organizations, and individuals have developed their own context-specific definitions. 9Ballet et al. 10 attempted to pinpoint the fundamental criterion of the social pillar of sustainability and settled on three elements: social cohesion; level of equity in society; and level of safety experienced by a community.Kunze documented that ecovillage membership practices need to balance individual liberty, communal cooperation, and long-term sustainability. 113 Christian, Creating a Life Together.