ABSTRACT
The ecovillage of So Jos is located near Florianpolis, the capital of Santa Catarina state, in south Brazil. An ecovillage is an intentional human settlement designed with the purpose of minimizing environmental impact, through development that is in keeping with local, context-specific realities. The chapter use the lens of social-ecological resilience to assess the trajectory of So Jos ecovillage in pursuing sustainable development. The concept of resilience was initially proposed in ecological theory by Holling and has since been employed by a variety of disciplines addressing sustainability. Social-ecological resilience in the ecovillage has been enhanced by the development and spread of particular technologies, knowledge and skills, social structures and relations, behaviours, belief systems. A number of technologies, knowledge bases and skills contribute to social-ecological resilience by conserving resources and ensuring a light environmental footprint on the land. Social-ecological resilience is maintained through a variety of measures, but this in no way implies static adherence to particular ways of life.
