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| research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-10 13:35] – sanjeev | research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-11 13:58] – sanjeev |
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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. Further, 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. | 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)) |
| {{:perma93.jpg|}} | {{:perma93.jpg|}} |
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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// |
sanjeev