This summer, the world will see the first off-grid village capable of not only producing its own energy but manufacturing its own food erected in Almere, the Netherlands. Dubbed ReGen Villages, these innovative communities would help address a growing need for regenerative housing as populations across the globe continue to balloon. Designed in partnership with the Danish firm EFFEKT, ReGen Villages was founded by James Ehrlich as a global real estate development company geared towards building off-grid neighborhoods.
Once built, each village would be comprised of several buildings (i.e. houses, community spaces, etc.) that would all be connected to greenhouses. These greenhouses would allow the residents to recycle waste products or grow an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the city would configure to accommodate solar panels — and other sustainable energy solutions — in order for it to be able to continuously produce its own energy and heat its water.
“We’re looking at some very interesting technologies for small-footprint biomass that can take surrounding farm waste and turn that into a consistent energy source in a way that can power these communities in northern Europe even in the dead of winter,” says Ehrlich to FastCoExist.
Living in a community such as ReGen Villages would require that families take responsibility for making sure the ecosystem continues to function properly. For instance, one family may operate the greenhouse while another maintains the solar panels or electric charging ports. EFFEKT sees this system as something that would not only help build society morale but also has the opportunity of lessening the overall load on smaller, perhaps stumbling local governments.
“We’re really looking at starting off as the Tesla of eco-villages,” added Ehrlich, author of the Stanford University research paper that led to the development of ReGen Villages. “That’s the idea. So we’re coming out as a little bit higher-end for Northern Europe.”
Should the first batch of villages prove successful, it’s likely other pilot programs will begin to take shape in countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, China, and the UAE while also potentially popping up on the continent of Africa.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.
Quick Recap: Life with twins and a pile of bottles