BedZED at 20 – creating the UK’s first eco-village
This year marks 20 years since the creation of BedZED, the iconic development we initiated at the turn of the millennium, and the UK’s first large-scale mixed-use sustainable community. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, we launched a #BedZEDat20 campaign across our social channels, highlighting why and how BedZED has continued to inspire hearts and minds across the globe.
In the first four weeks, we took a deep dive into BedZED’s history. To understand why BedZED is such a significant development, first we must understand why we need sustainable communities in the first place.
Why do we even need sustainable communities like #BedZED?🏡🌱🐦
— Bioregional (@Bioregional) July 13, 2022
The truth is, we’re living in a climate and ecological emergency⚠️
And buildings – which contribute to 40% of global emissions – are a huge part of the problem.
So, there's no better place to start 🙌#BedZEDat20 pic.twitter.com/2Sk5xFInuT
Here’s where the idea for BedZED came from:
Our ‘aha!’ moment for #BedZED appeared in 1997 when:
— Bioregional (@Bioregional) July 21, 2022
🌱 Our co-founders started looking for a new green HQ
🏘️ Bill Dunster (@ZEDfactory) dreamt of creating a large-scale eco-village
🔥 @PeabodyLDN wanted to address fuel poverty for its tenants#BedZEDat20 pic.twitter.com/y3yi0OFUTF
How did BedZED transform from a vision into the UK’s first large-scale eco-village? Scroll on to find out...
How did #BedZED turn from an idea into reality?✨
— Bioregional (@Bioregional) July 28, 2022
In 1998 @SuttonCouncil was selling a plot of undeveloped wasteland, originally used for spreading sewage sludge 🤮
It wanted to turn 🗑️ into 🏘️
And of course, we couldn’t miss an opportunity like that 😉#BedZEDat20 pic.twitter.com/c1xm6XXbjT
What makes #BedZED a mixed-use development?
— Bioregional (@Bioregional) August 4, 2022
🏡 BedZED is home to just over 200 residents.
Of the eco-village’s 100 homes, 25% are for social rent, 25% are for shared ownership, while the other half are for private sale.
But there’s so much more to BedZED…#BedZEDat20 pic.twitter.com/RDDo6YTXCL
