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| research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-04 19:32] – sanjeev | research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-11 13:58] – sanjeev |
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| ==== Gro World _ RUrban Permaculture ==== | ==== Gro World - RUrban Permaculture ==== |
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| This report from [[sanjeev shankar]] is in progress as of 2008-03 | This report from [[sanjeev shankar]] is in progress as of 2008-03 |
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| | Note: This research began with the working title, 'Gro World - Urban Permaculture' which has now been modified to 'Gro World - RUrban Permaculture'. The researcher has found sufficient linkages between Indian cities and their immediate rural surroundings; their existence and interdependence on the urban villages within a city's limits is an interesting departure from cities in the west where the proposed duality between rural and urban is more evident. These urban villages grow food, produce milk, have a unique traditional vocabulary and might even have a different system of governance. 'RUrban' therefore refers to a synthesis of both realities. It is a complimentary force which makes the city heterogenous, dynamic, resilient and self sustaining. |
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| ==== Context ==== | ==== Context ==== |
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| * //introduction// | |
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| “I make it my business to extract from Nature whatever nutriment she can furnish me, though at the risk of endless iteration. I milk the sky and the earth.” ((Henry David Thoreau, Journal, 1817-1862)) | |
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| “The different branches of science combine to demonstrate that the universe in its entirety can be regarded as one gigantic process, a process of becoming, of attaining new levels of existence and organization, which can properly be called a genesis or an evolution” ((Thomas H. Huxley, 1825 - 1895)) | “The different branches of science combine to demonstrate that the universe in its entirety can be regarded as one gigantic process, a process of becoming, of attaining new levels of existence and organization, which can properly be called a genesis or an evolution” ((Thomas H. Huxley, 1825 - 1895)) |
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| Plants are the centre of the web of life. The growth of urban centres around the globe has had a critical impact on ecology. In recent years there has been a growing interest and public movement to bring ecology out of the bush and into the urban and suburban environments where most people spend their time. Whereas traditional ecology is mainly about connectedness within the natural world,the new focus lies on having a holistic and inclusive approach to build deeper links with ecology in our midst beyond doing conservation in isolated national parks. Some of the questions at the core of this research were: Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? Can we be perceptive enough to see our planet in a way that tells them that they too are part of nature? Is there an option to treating forests as sacrifice zones for urban growth ? Is there an ecological limit to economic growth? What is the future of our cities? Can there be a differentiated green identity of a future city? This research documents the current status of urban permaculture and explores ways in which we can transform our cities into productive, healthy, edible and playful green visions: visions which go beyond parks, manicured lawns, horticultural imports, bonsai and 'beautiful' golf parks. They strive to bring back plants at the core of our daily life and existence. | Plants are the centre of the web of life. The growth of urban centres around the globe has had a critical impact on ecology. In recent years there has been a growing interest and public movement to bring ecology out of the bush and into the urban and suburban environments where most people spend their time. Whereas traditional ecology is mainly about connectedness within the natural world,the new focus lies on having a holistic and inclusive approach to build deeper links with ecology in our midst beyond doing conservation in isolated national parks. Some of the questions at the core of this research were: Is there an ecological limit to economic growth? Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? Can we be perceptive enough to see our planet in a way that tells them that they too are part of nature? Is there an option to treating forests as sacrifice zones for urban growth ? What is the future of our cities? Can there be a differentiated green identity of a future city? This research documents the current status of urban permaculture and explores ways in which we can transform our cities into productive, healthy, edible and playful green visions: visions which go beyond parks, manicured lawns, horticultural imports, bonsai and 'beautiful' golf parks. They strive to bring back plants at the core of our daily life. |
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| * //brief summary of the cultural/scientific/social/... context within which the research took place// | The research started in Brussels and Amsterdam through informal discussions between the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the design researcher, Sanjeev Shankar. Thereafter, the research base shifted to India where Sanjeev visited the urban villages in New Delhi, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Beulah organic farm in Tamil Nadu, the Rain Forest Retreat in Karnataka and the Krac-A-Dawna biodynamic farm near Mysore. The project has also been benefitted by detailed discussions with Ms. Suprabha Seshan, director of the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary; Dr. Sujata and Anurag Goel, founders of the rain forest retreat and Juli and Vivek Cariappa, founders of the Krac-A-Dawna farm. Further site visits in New Delhi included Sarai_Centre for Social Development Studies; TERI_Tata Energy Research Institute; Khoj_a community of artists and Chandani Chowk_ a 15th century thriving settlement in Old Delhi. The research has since proceeded through follow up exchanges between the the design researcher and other members of FoAM: Pix, Evelina Kusaite, Cocky Eek, Theun Karelse and Nik Gaffney and will conclude at the GroWorld design session in Brussels on 15th April 2008. |
| The research started in Brussels and Amsterdam through informal discussions between the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the design researcher, Sanjeev Shankar. Thereafter, the research base shifted to India where Sanjeev visited the urban villages in New Delhi, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Beulah organic farm in Tamil Nadu, the Rain Forest Retreat in Karnataka and the Krac - A - Dawna organic/bio dynamic farm near Mysore. The project has also been benefitted by detailed discussions with Ms. Suprabha Seshan, director of the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary; Dr. Sujata, founder of the rain forest retreat and Juli and Vivek Cariappa, founders of the Krac-A-Dawna farm. Further site visits in New Delhi included Sarai_Centre for Social Development Studies; TERI_Tata Energy Research Institute; Khoj_a community of artists and Chandani Chowk_ a 15th century thriving settlement in Old Delhi. The research has since proceeded through follow up exchanges between the producer and the design researcher and will conclude at the GroWorld design session in Brussels in April 2008. | |
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| //Geographic location// | //Geographic location// |
| === Permaculture === | === Permaculture === |
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| [[Permaculture]] is an integrated, interdependent, evolving, multidimensional and creative design response to a world of declining energy and resource availability with emphasis on design processes drawn from nature. It is about values and visions, and design and systems of management that are based on holistic understanding, especially of our bio-ecological and pychosocial knowledge and wisdom. It is particularly about our relationships with, and the design and redesign of, natural resource management systems, so that they may support the health and well being of all present and future generations. | Permaculture is an integrated, interdependent, evolving, multidimensional and creative design response to a world of declining energy and resource availability with emphasis on design processes drawn from nature. It is about values and visions, and design and systems of management that are based on holistic understanding, especially of our bio-ecological and pychosocial knowledge and wisdom. It is particularly about our relationships with, and the design and redesign of, natural resource management systems, so that they may support the health and well being of all present and future generations. |
| Permaculture also reflects the ongoing evolution of our knowledge systems and can be intepreted to any area which might benefit from such holistic design theory and practice. Human settlements, business enterprises, political and economic systems, learning environments, health field and child rearing can be some of these areas. | Permaculture also reflects the ongoing evolution of our knowledge systems and can be intepreted to any area which might benefit from such holistic design theory and practice. Human settlements, business enterprises, political and economic systems, learning environments, health field and child rearing can be some of these areas. |
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| ==Urban Permaculture== | ==Urban Permaculture== |
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| A permaculture garden is not a garden seen in nature. Though it might have a configuration like a forest in terms of stability and efficiency, it is rich in functional plants which have a strong relationship with each other and result in high yields. In urban situations, space is limited, there may be little or no access to land, and various regulatory restrictions exist when it comes to gardening or having backyard animals. Some of the concepts that people have used in urban settings which have allowed them to circumnavigate these obstacles are discussed below. They are a mix of approaches, ranging from gardening to co-parenting, going across different aspects of sustainability. Further the character of cities in the western world is extremely different from the eastern world. These differences work at social, political and physical level and have shaped these cities. Hence, there is a great diversity in all these examples but the concept of "no loss" links them all. | In urban situations, space is limited, there may be little or no access to land, and various regulatory restrictions exist when it comes to gardening or having backyard animals.((http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/Urban/)) Some of the concepts that people have used in urban settings which have allowed them to circumnavigate these obstacles are discussed below. They are a mix of approaches, ranging from gardening to co-parenting, going across different aspects of sustainability. Further the character of cities in the western world is extremely different from the eastern world. These differences work at social, political and physical level and have shaped these cities. Hence, the examples discussed below are quiet diverse but the concept of "no loss" and an aspect of "community" links them all. Also, though a permaculture garden might have a configuration like a forest in terms of stability and efficiency, it is infact rich in functional plants which have a strong relationship with each other and result in high yields. |
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| * Rooftop gardens: Rooftop gardens are a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of city gardens, enjoying their own set of distinctive benefits. Rooftops are underutilized and rarely-considered urban spaces with great potential for creative development. There are essentially [[three options for rooftop gardens]] for rooftop gardens. | * Rooftop gardens: Rooftop gardens are a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of city gardens, enjoying their own set of distinctive benefits. Though the idea of roofgardens has become fairly standardized and resolved, rooftops continue to be underutilized and are rarely-considered urban spaces with great potential for creative development. There are essentially [[three options for rooftop gardens]] for rooftop gardens. |
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| * Vertical gardens: Commonly seen in many western cities, vertical gardens act as good insulators and a source of food. They also increase the life of the structural wall behind. Vines are one of the most common plants used to create vertical green facades. | * Vertical gardens: Vertical gardening is a comprehensive term referring to any manner in which plants can be grown on, up, or against the wall of a building such as a vine, as part of a window shade, as a balcony garden, or in a vertical hydroponic system. Vertical gardens act as good insulators and a source of food. They also increase the life of the structural wall behind, reduce storm water run-off, reduce the heat island effect of cities and improve the water quality. For more details see [[vertical gardens]]. |
| {{:perma84.jpg|}} | {{:perma84.jpg|}} |
| ((www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com)) | ((www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com)) |
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| * City farms: In New york, numerous vacant plots have been converted into city farms where communities grow there own food. These range from apples to pears. Further, by using graftign techniques, fences can be made entirely out of such plants. In Melbourne, the city farms also play the role of community education centres, which is a brilliant way to introduce kids to aspects of food production. In Davis, California, through the allocation of areas for directing rain water into catchment basins, //swail areas// have been created which over the years have now transformed into productive fruit farms. | * Guirella gardening: Guerrilla gardening is an act of seeding useful plants in public spaces. A form of green pro-activism, primarily practiced by environmentalists, it is related to land rights, land reform, and permaculture. Activists take over ('squat') an abandoned piece of land which they do not own to grow crops or plants. Guerrilla gardeners believe in re-considering land ownership in order to reclaim land from perceived neglect or misuse and assign a new purpose to it. Some guerrilla gardeners carry out their actions at night, in relative secrecy, to sow and tend a new vegetable patch or flower garden. Others work more openly, seeking to engage with members of the local community.((http://weburbanist.com/2007/08/21/urban-ecological-subversion-the-art-of-guerilla-gardening-in-public-spaces/)) Seed-balling is an interesting technique used here. Other pro-active methods include moss-graffitti and mayday actions. Click on [[Guerrilla gardening]] for more details. |
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| * Cooperative Arrangements: In Santa Fe, a community group is applying for a variance from the city to start using a small open space in their neigborhood for keeping chickens and bees and to plant an orchard. Combining their negotiating power helps with getting a variance, and distributing responsibilities as well as financial burden of setting up a productive environment ensures its stability and long-term success. | * Home gardens and local solutions: |
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| | * City farms: In New york, numerous vacant plots have been converted into city farms where communities grow there own food. These range from apples to pears. Further, by using grafting techniques, fences can be made entirely out of such plants. In Melbourne, the city farms also play the role of community education centres, which is a brilliant way to introduce kids to aspects of food production. In Davis, California, through the allocation of areas for directing rain water into catchment basins, //swail areas// have been created which over the years have now transformed into productive fruit farms. |
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| | * Cooperative Arrangements: In Santa Fe, a community group is applying for a variance from the city to start using a small open space in their neigborhood for keeping chickens and bees((http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/beekeeping_main/)) and to plant an orchard. Combining their negotiating power helps with getting a variance, and distributing responsibilities as well as financial burden of setting up a productive environment ensures its stability and long-term success. |
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| * Co-Ownership of Assets: In Albuquerque, a group of people that live near each other decided to downsize and now own one truck, which is shared by several households. | * Co-Ownership of Assets: In Albuquerque, a group of people that live near each other decided to downsize and now own one truck, which is shared by several households. |
| * Worm Composting: A plastic bin with holes can house a family of red wiggler worms, who will be happy to eat your kitchen waste (eliminating it from the urban waste stream), and these critters will make it into good odor-free compost. | * Worm Composting: A plastic bin with holes can house a family of red wiggler worms, who will be happy to eat your kitchen waste (eliminating it from the urban waste stream), and these critters will make it into good odor-free compost. |
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| * The BackYard Forester, Los Angeles: A nonprofit organization, TreePeople leads people towards greening the city, restoring watersheds, ecosystems and neigborhoods. People can turn their yard into a wildlife or bird refuge or create an orchard that produces a surplus to share with food banks ,in the process creating an urban forest. | * The BackYard Forester, Los Angeles: A nonprofit organization, TreePeople leads people towards greening the city, restoring watersheds, ecosystems and neigborhoods. People can turn their yard into a wildlife or bird refuge or create an orchard that produces a surplus to share with food banks ,in the process creating an urban forest.((http://www.treepeople.org/)) |
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| * The Citizen Pruner, New York: People can get trained in tree care and pruning, and be able to take care of trees, whenever and whereever needed. | * The Citizen Pruner, New York: People can get trained in tree care and pruning, and be able to take care of trees, whenever and whereever needed.((http://www.treesny.com/)) |
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| * Chickens in a City: Depending on the location, people may be allowed to keep chickens in their urban yard! The City Chicken - a website, which includes every answer plus city by city listing of regulations for keeping chickens makes this possible! | * Chickens in a City: Depending on the location, people may be allowed to keep chickens in their urban yard! The City Chicken - a website, which includes every answer plus city by city listing of regulations for keeping chickens makes this possible!((http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/)) |
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| === Europe and India _ urban farming === | === Europe and India _ urban farming === |
| * http://www.di.net/videos/the_new_species_architecture/ | * http://www.di.net/videos/the_new_species_architecture/ |
| * http://www.materialecology.com/ | * http://www.materialecology.com/ |
| | * http://ecotality.com/life/ |
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| Films | Films |
sanjeev