Livestock traders and cattle crowd the bustling High Street of Newtown in Mid Wales, circa 1880. Markets and fairs have long been important aspects of Welsh community life.

Photo courtesy of Powysland Museum & Montgomery Canal Centre

The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth demonstrates sustainable practices, including growing seasonal vegetable-and-herb gardens, and setting up composting systems.

Photo courtesy of the Centre for Alternative Technology

The ceramic art of Lowri Davies plays upon stereotypes of the Welsh hearth and home, giving them a fresh and playful perspective.

Photo courtesy of Lowri Davies

Home and community life in contemporary Wales looks, on the surface, much like life anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Super-sized grocery stores, suburban housing developments, and small towns share space with ancient monuments, rural farms, and industrial heritage sites.

By reimagining home and community life, Wales is seeking more sustainable practices in order to plan for future generations. More and more people are growing their own vegetables, using local markets, and employing the principles of "reduce, reuse, and recycle" in all facets of their lives.

Reimagining even further, the communities of Llanelli and Lampeter have joined the "Transition Town" movement—working together to find sustainable solutions and putting them into action. "We won't always know the answers but we can have fun looking for them," the Llanelli group says on its Web site.