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| research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-12 15:00] – sanjeev | research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-04-14 16:08] – sanjeev |
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| At a macro level, this project explores aspects of human environment, its relation with ecology and our attempt for sustainable growth. The research relates to the fields of permaculture, ethnobotany, human plant interaction, urban ecology, situationist psychogeography, open source architecture, sustainability, green design, modular systems and bionics. | At a macro level, this project explores aspects of human environment, its relation with ecology and our attempt for sustainable growth. The research relates to the fields of permaculture, ethnobotany, human plant interaction, urban ecology, situationist psychogeography, open source architecture, sustainability, green design, modular systems and bionics. |
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| === Brief === | === Research Brief === |
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| As stated before the intent of this research is to explore the urban gardening and permaculture trends at a global level and to further explore new ways to establish links between urban realms, its inhabitants and ecology. In the process, the project aims at redefining our relationship with the city and our vision for its future. It attempts to question our prevailing belief system which places nature as an object, to be //viewed, manipulated, commodified and sold//. | As stated before the intent of this research is to explore the urban gardening and permaculture trends at a global level and to further explore new ways to establish links between urban realms, its inhabitants and ecology. In the process, the project aims at redefining our relationship with the city and our vision for its future. It attempts to question our prevailing belief system which places nature as an object, to be //viewed, manipulated, commodified and sold//. |
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| * Kitchen gardens and local solutions: In both urban and rural areas, people have been found to develop interesting planting techniques. A source of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers, kitchen gardens are one of the most common, easily maintained and personal manifestation of our links with ecology. Often in the form of regular miniature gardens, people in highly dense urban realms resort to container gardening to grow their produce. In Indian kitchens, a mixture of left over egg shells and tea leaves is used to grow garlic and onions. Often waste plastic cans and bottles play the role of containers. As an approach, a kitchen gardener finds the shortest, simplest way between the earth, the hands and the mouth !((http://www.kitchengardeners.org/2005/10/what_is_a_kitch_1.html)) | * Kitchen gardens and local solutions: A source of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers, kitchen gardens are one of the most common, easily maintained and personal manifestation of our links with ecology. As an approach, a kitchen gardener finds the shortest and simplest way between the earth, the hands and the mouth !((http://www.kitchengardeners.org/2005/10/what_is_a_kitch_1.html))In both urban and rural areas, people have been found to develop interesting indigenous planting techniques to meet their daily needs. Often in the form of regular miniature gardens, people in highly dense urban realms resort to container gardening to grow their produce. These could also appear in the form of floating gardens in Amsterdam or Kashmir. In Indian kitchens, a mixture of left over egg shells and tea leaves is used to grow garlic and onions. Garlic has other advantages like keeping snails and fleas away. Fruit and vegetable peels are often added to tea leaves to create compost while left over water, after boiling eggs is added to soil as a mineral and protein rich solvent. Often waste plastic cans and bottles play the role of containers which are used to collect left over water from washing vegetables and rice. 'Tulsi', another native Indian plant, also known as holy basil is used for its medicinal properties and worshipped in many Indian homes where it has a special place in the courtyard.((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum_tenuiflorum)) Kitchens and kitchen gardens are inspiring places and perform the role of local solution generators which result in essential economic and social benefits. The researcher would like to thank his mother, Meena Shankar for sharing simple home solutions to inform this journey.((http://www.cityfarmer.org/kitchenIndia.html))((http://www.indg.in/agriculture/on-and-off-farm-enterprises/kitchen-garden))Further details of kitchen gardens in Delhi have been discussed later in the section on Delhi under 'Discussions'. |
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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. | * 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. |
sanjeev