Can a city exist above all creeds, politics, and nationalities?
In short: Founded in 1968 as an experimental township in India, Auroville was designed to be a "universal town." Its goal is radical: to realize human unity by bringing together people of goodwill from every country to live in peace, transcending all national identities and political boundaries.
Auroville (French for "City of Dawn") was established by Mirra Alfassa, also known as "the Mother," and architect Roger Anger. The project was rooted in the vision of Sri Aurobindo, who viewed humanity as a transitional being. Alfassa envisioned a site where people could pursue an "unending education" and "constant progress." To achieve this, the city is structured into four zones—Residential, Industrial, Cultural (& Educational), and International—surrounded by a Green Belt for environmental research and resource management.
The community operates on a unique socio-economic model. Instead of traditional paper currency, residents use account numbers connected to a central fund, while visitors use "Aurocards." The economy is fueled by commercial units that contribute 33% of their profits to the Central Fund, alongside significant foreign donations and guest fees. Residents are expected to contribute through work or money, while those in need can receive monthly maintenance covering basic life necessities.
The township's governance has faced complex legal hurdles. After Mirra Alfassa died in 1973, internal fissures led the Indian government to intervene in 1980 via the Auroville Emergency Provision Act. Following a Supreme Court verdict, the Auroville Foundation Act of 1988 established a three-tier governing system involving a government-appointed Governing Board, an International Advisory Council, and a Residents' Assembly. This structure ensures that while the city belongs to humanity as a whole, it remains under specific administrative oversight.
Despite its idealistic charter of "integral living," Auroville faces modern challenges. These include managing relations with surrounding Tamil villages through the Auroville Village Action Trust and addressing concerns regarding external criminal elements. The community also maintains an internal MediaInterface to regulate journalistic access, aiming to provide representative footage and information while navigating public controversies regarding its educational programs.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Auroville
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