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-==== Gro World - RUrban Permaculture ====
+====Gro World - RUrban Permaculture====
-This report from [[sanjeev shankar]] is in progress as of 2008-03
-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.
+This report is in progress as of May 2008
+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 strong links between Indian cities and their immediate rural surroundings. These urban villages produce food, milk and other services for the city. 'RUrban' refers to this symbiotic relationship.
 === Introduction ===
+Plants are the centre of the web of life. The growth of urban centres around the globe has had a critical impact on ecology. Some of the questions at the core of this research are:
+  * Is there an ecological limit to economic growth?
+  * Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms?
+  * Is there an option to treating forests as sacrifice zones for urban growth?
+  * Can we afford to treat nature like an object, which is manipulated, commodified and sold?
+  * How can we imagine a fertile healthy future for everyone?
-“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))
+This project explores aspects of human environment, its relation with ecology and our attempt for sustainable growth. The relevant fields of inquiry are urban ecology, sustainability, human plant interaction and biomorphism. The research explores ways in which we can transform our cities into productive, healthy, edible and playful green visions. In recent years there has been a growing public movement to bring ecology into urban environments where most people spend their time. While, this is important, people are still grappling with the problem of a balance between 'growth' and conservation and this is not limited to emerging cities in the developing world. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to initiate collective public action in this direction.
-{{:perma93.jpg|}}
+Some of the reasons for this project are as follows:
+  * Uncontrolled growth of cities has had a devastating impact on ecology.
+  * By the end of 2008, half the world's population will be living in cities for the first time in history.(according to a UN report)
+  * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms.
+  * Urban problems include inequality, acute hunger, unemployment, crime, inflation, urban sprawl, rising poverty, expensive health care, increase in population and imbalanced education system.
+  * Declining resources in many parts of the world has met a rising population. The result is starvation, drought, refugees and resource wars.
+  * Food crisis is further compounded by changing food habits, increased use of pesticides, herbicides, biocides; rapidly deteriorating soil quality and use of agricultural land to grow corn for ethanol.
+  * There has been an acute drop in forest cover and a sharp increase in desert area. Each year, we lose 20 billion metric tons of topsoil, emit 20 billion metric tons of carbon-di-oxide into the atmosphere, and create two million hectares of new desert.
+  * Traditional systems are a crucial resource and can offer us remedies. Sharing and learning from each other is important and challenges can be seen as opportunities.
-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.
+The objectives of this phase are as follows:
-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.
-=== India transformed ===
-India, which has been traditionally known for its diverse culture and strong traditional agricultural methods is today synonymous for rapid growth and transformation both in rural and urban realms. The nation thrives and lives in both rural and urban areas. New Delhi, situated within the metropolis of Delhi, is the capital of India and provides a dynamic and complex urban setting. Though Delhi continues to be the political and administrative capital of the country, it also plays a crucial part of the global political economic scenario. With a population of over 15 million the city is undergoing massive change. A couple of decades ago the area surrounding the city was mostly agricultural. One could drive out of the city, and quickly enter into a very rural countryside. Today, the situation is different. Now the city is increasingly in the midst of a continuous urban sprawl.  Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon are now ‘extensions’ to the city, even though they are in other states. The pace of change has been so fast that it is strange to find vegetables and flowers being cultivated below high speed flyovers and in front of emerging shopping malls! Delhi has over 40% of it citizens living in slum like conditions. Often these habitations have been inter-seeped amongst the affluent colonies and have formed the informal service sector. However, over the past decade they are being systematically thrown out. The river banks too were till recently a site for the poor. As demand for scarce land rises, there is an ongoing change in the demographics of residential areas. After a concerted city action in early nineties over 7500 hectares of forest are now legally protected in the city, and through another law, tree cutting needs special permission. Similarly Non Governmental Organisations along with the Courts forced the conversion of public transport from diesel to CNG, a cleaner fuel. At the social and physical level, Delhi remains a historical, multi-layered fragmented city, with each fragment contributing in its own way to the city fabric. Over time, these multiple layers of historicity are expressed through multiple identities and realities. Such multi layered city character is very common in India and creates a complex dynamic within the city.
-This research explores a global perspective of urban gardening and permaculture and ways in which we can contribute to a fertile and healthy city. The focus here is to compare urban gardening in western countries and India. Within India, on one hand it looks at traditional agricultural methods through on-site understanding of centres which have rooted themselves in rural areas; on the other hand it brings into its fold developments and examples from rapidly growing urban centres with the focus being New Delhi. Though, there have been few efforts to address the issue of integrating ecology into an urban realm, these seem to be happening in a fragmented manner and are yet to reach a tipping point. Urban ecology as a field has resulted in the possibility of system level integration, however, in most cases, people fear that an inclusive approach would have a negative impact on 'growth' and their 'comfort'. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to help people contribute to the health of a city in a strategic and decisive manner and thereby direct the benefits arising out of this to improve the situation globally and trigger a positive green domino effect.
-The findings from this research would find direct use in India and other nations which have had a strong tradition of agriculture, especially China, Japan and central/south american nations (Guatemala, Costarica, Peru). Further, through the comparative analysis of urban areas and gardening trends in Europe and India this research strives to bring out features which can inform a sustainable growth pattern in both these regions. Finally, through the design and exploration of urban permaculture kits, this research aims to trigger series of projects and experiments which would act as catalysts for pratical product solutions and initiatives for a future green city.
-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.
-=== Research Brief ===
-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//.
-This phase of the project has the following objectives:
   * On-line and literature survey of state of the art in urban gardening and permaculture (global perspective)
   * On-site research and comparison of urban gardening in the Benelux and India
@@ Line 39: / Line 35: @@
   * A written report in the prescribed format
-Some of the reasons for this project are given below:
+For details on the methodology of this project please click on [[permaculture-research-methodology]].
-  * The uncontrolled growth of cities has had a devastating impact on ecology
-  * By the end of 2008, half the world's population will be living in cities for the first time in history. (according to UN report)
-  * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, sterile, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms, especially plants which have been an integral part of human survival and existence.
-  * We have more people hungry every day, more unemployment, rising poverty, increased use of pesticides, herbcides and biocides, deteriorating soil quality and depleting forest cover
-  * There has been a sharp increase in desert area, in urban sprawl and number of cars on the road !
-  * Cities are facing new challenges related to health care, rise in food prices and other basic services every day.
-  * Natural and traditional systems can offer us practical solutions and are a crucial resource to tap into. Problems can be seen as opportunities.
-=== Methodology ===
+The findings of this research would be relevant in regions having a strong tradition of agriculture: China, Japan, India, Guatemala, Costarica and Peru, to name a few. And, through a comparative analysis of the urban character, gardening trends and culture of Europe and India, this research aims to bring out aspects which can inform a sustainable growth pattern, in other regions as well.
-The research started with preliminary discussions between the producer and the design researcher in Brusssels to define the project scope.
+=== Permaculture ===
-This was followed by a visit to the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. A living museum, the hortus is a green oasis in the middle of a bustling urban setting. Thereafter the design researcher shortlisted a series of core topics and [[delhi interviews|questions]] which were used as triggers to inform him and in the discussion between him and the users, which in this case were inhabitants of a city. These discussions contributed in establishing the problem and understanding its complexity. In New Delhi, the focus shifted to the inhabitants of the city, the habitat in which they live and their links with nature. Special attention was given to the urban kitchen gardens in New Delhi and Chandani Chowk in Old Delhi which has continued to remain one of the most dense and thriving parts of Asia since the 15th century. Visits to Sarai(Centre for Development Studies) to document ongoing research projects related to ecology along with interaction with artists at the Khoj community formed the second layer of the study. Interaction with the Biodiversity/Forestry department of TERI(Tata Energy Research Institute), CSE(Centre for Science and Environment) and ICAR(Indian Council of Agricultural Research) formed the third layer of the onsite research in New Delhi. Thereafter, the research focus moved to south India with the first site visit to the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, a place dedicated to conservation and preservation of native plants. Next was Beulah organic farm, which specialises in home made marmalade and wines. Located in rural Udagamandalam in Tamil Nadu, it demonstrates customised solutions for organic plant growth right from the use of  liquid organic manure to playing music to trigger their growth. Following this was a visit to the Rain forest retreat, one of the few case studies which balances its concern for ecology with a marketing business model. Next was the Krac-A-Dawna bio dynamic farm located in rural Karnataka close to Mysore. The farm produces a range of finished products from wild honey and cinnamon to sesame butter and cotton fabrics. The analysis of these sustainable enterprises in India was an enriching experience and was backed up by on-line and literature survey about permaculture, guirella farming techniques, traditional agricultural methods and organic farming. Apart from this, the permaculture design course by Bill Mollison and two books, 'An Agricultural Testament' by Sir Albert Howard and 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren have been indispensable to this study.
-  * //justification of the methodology //
+Permaculture is an integrated, evolving, multidimensional and creative design response to a world of declining energy and resource availability with emphasis on design processes drawn from nature. While reflecting the ongoing evolution of our knowledge systems, it incorporates holistic thinking and systems of management. It is also applicable to other aspects of human settlements, business enterprises, political and economic systems, learning environments, health and child rearing. For more on this topic please see [[history of permaculture]]
-The methodology was crucial to help the design researcher develop empathy for the cause and also become aware of the complexity of the problem at hand. It has created a scientific framework to work with, gradually laying emphasis on the method and process of farming. Visiting the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala and subsequent visits to other sustainable enterprises dedicated to organic methods of farming and revitalisation of traditional Indian farming techniques were crucial to inform the research. It has helped the researcher appreciate the nuances and demands of the project. Reading the book, ‘An Agricultural Testament’ by Sir Albert Howard was a  critical experience in realising the huge divide in agriculture methods between the orient and the occident. While, 'Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustanability' by David Holmgren, gives wonderful insights into the genesis of this idea and how it could positively impact sustainability efforts globally. All of this has helped to create the right references for this project and enabled the researcher to present a detailed project report to the producer.
+==Urban Permaculture==
+In urban situations, space is limited 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 are discussed below. These are a mix of approaches, ranging from gardening to co-ownership. Further, cities in the west are governed by different social, political and physical qualities than those in the east. Despite this, the examples discussed here share a common vision of "no loss" and an aspect of "community".
+For more on this topic please see [[urban permaculture concepts]].
-=== Permaculture ===
+===Beyond numbers and definitions===
-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. 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.
+Scenario 1: On a recent visit to a remote farm in India, the researcher met a middle aged woman. After a brief conversation, the researcher asked the woman her age. The reply was, 'It might be between 30 and 50 years'. This was followed by a period of silence. The researcher reflected on how acutely we are attached to numbers and statistics. How they mean so much more than the real issue at hand.
-For more on this topic please see [[history of permaculture]]
+Scenario 2: In recent conversations with Kobe Matthys, a Brussels based urban farmer, the researcher was told about a recent trend of, official permaculture courses which gives people the 'legal' right to call themselves permaculturists. The course requires individuals to pay 1000 euros. While the idea of education is not wrong, the researcher has strong reservations about 'controlling' the spread of an idea which at its core is about re-intepretation and open ended participation, for a sustainable living.
-==Urban Permaculture==
+These two scenarios bring up an important issue about our affinity for brands, numbers and definitions. Yes we need them and can not imagine a world without them; but, they are not the end, they are tools for feedback, for self regulation, for differentiation and for efficient distribution of resources. In our competitive urge for 'growth' reflected by larger numbers and ever changing definitions, we seem to have lost our purpose. The purpose is action: collective, purposeful action for common good. Having said this, in this research, definitions and numbers play a role of triggers for real change.
-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.
+==Urban and Rural==
-  * **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.
+Migration from rural to urban areas has been a global phenomena for centuries. Reasons for this include greater opportunity, secure income, a sense of freedom, a sense of being interconnected and being part of a privileged system. Cities can no longer sustain an exponentially growing population with exponentially growing demands. The imbalance has become more evident with a rapidly deteriorating environment and quality of life. Not surprisingly, villages in many parts of the world, still offer a healthy environment and an intact eco-system. There are hopeful signs of rural grassroot organisations which have successfully created local cycles of mutual cooperation in a self organised way. The Development Alternatives Group in Delhi, Barefoot College in Rajasthan, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala are testimony to this. This is gradually changing the notion that villages are backward by transforming them into alternative models of sustainability. ((http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/pattern.pl/public?pattern_id=890))
-  * **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]].
+===Discussion===
-{{:perma84.jpg|}}
+see [[site visit and survey notes]]
-((www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com))
-  * **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.
+=== Europe and India _ farming comparision===
-{{:perma94.jpg|}}
+see [[farming comparision]]
-  * **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 [[site visit and survey notes|Discussion]].
+== Cultural peculiarities ==
+see [[cultural peculiarities]]
-{{:perma98.jpg|}}
+=== Possibilities for urban permaculture kits ===
+see [[urban permaculture kits]]
-  * 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.
+===Directions===
+We are all becoming increasingly aware that our actions can no longer be seen as isolated acts of private concern. The idea of growth and sustainability is a journey and not a destination. It is constantly unfolding and evolving. The insights and lessons through this journey go beyond farming. Since, the nature of farming and land is highly interconnected, it affects every aspect of our society. The author would like to conclude with the following directives:
-  * 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.
+  * The most insightful ideas are also the most basic. These can come from any source, independent of age, status, experience or academic background.
-  * 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.
+  * People in most parts of the world crave to be in an urban setting. It gives them a sense of pride and achievement apart from other tangible benefits. There is a need to redefine the construct of an 'urban' space and a 'rural' place. Over the years a great imbalance has emerged between the production and consumption patterns, living conditions, opportunities, social and psychological well being and overall sense of 'life' in these regions. This is one of the core reasons for continued unsustainable migration from villages to cities. Addressing this gap would incorporate self-regulation in a nation's growth.
-  * Grafting Fruit Trees: In limited spaces one can still get a variety of fruit, when using a technique of grafting. A desirable variety (early ripening, or developed for storage, etc) is grafted onto an existing rootstock, resulting in trees that bears several types of fruit (now, apples don’t become oranges, but there can be several different apples on the same tree!).
+ * Urban communities should join hands with rural areas to create a prosperous countryside, which inturn would become a support for our future. Though urban character and the dynamics of a city vary vastly as one moves from the west to the east, there is a lot to learn and share.
-  * 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.
+  * It is important to bring out the connection between a fertile soil, and healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy humans. This also highlights the crucial role of education, reporting, communication and media.
-  * 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/))
+  * Land must be safeguarded from the operations of finance and our needs have to be clearly streamlined. A gradual and determined approach for recovering the land and celebrating the farmer is needed and the benefits of this shared with everyone. This is becoming even more relevant in the Indian context where there is a visible rush to embrace the global marketplace.
-  * 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/))
-  * 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/))
+  * The demographic breakdown and scale of impact is crucial. In countries like India and Bangladesh, a large section of the population is poor, illiterate and remains disconnected from the mainstream. They need to be integrated. When people develop pride in their work, they feel accountable and responsible and this results in real purposeful change. This is an important aspect for bottom up change and is clearly evident in grassroot initiatives like the barefoot college and the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in India.
-=== Cultural peculiarities ===
+  * There is a need for critical focus on agricultural research backed by scientific education, traditional wisdom, aggressive trial and error and practical farming experience. We need spirited individuals willing to go the distance in developing a long term sustainable strategy.
-see [[cultural peculiarities]]
-=== Europe and India _ urban farming ===
+  * From an urban farming perspective, personal kitchen gardens seem most effective. They are small, dispersed, diverse, flexible, simple to maintain, easily transformed and directly impact the food situation at a family and community level. They personify the idea of self reliance and can be catalysts for larger green initiatives at community, regional level. Roof top gardens and community gardens are other options and, with assistance from regional authorities, can make a positive contribution.
-see [[urban farming comparision]]
+  * There is a need for a gradual shift towards a 'we' and 'us' based culture from a 'me' and 'I' based approach. This is one of the most crucial directives and also one of the most difficult to achieve. In some way, it amounts to tranforming the culture of a place. Collective communities like India, are today facing a reverse trend with the recent shift towards a capitalist, individual based, self serving attitude. This can have a serious impact owing to the sheer magnitude of India's population. Spirituality, media and the government can play a purposeful role to check this shift. Ideas of 'social capitalism' and 'social entrepreneurship' are hopeful signs.
-=== Orient and Occident_ agricultural methods ===
+  * There is a need for information 'exchange' and collaborations between different cultures and contexts to develop a 'greater' system with self reliance and interdependence. Strategic assimilation as a design approach has valid relevance. There needs to be a balance between clear streamlined structures and flexible organic systems; between small self organised clusters and larger fabrics; between independent points of view and a general concensus.
-see [[traditional farming notes|agricultural methods]]
+  * In cultural contexts, links with tradition should involve the use of past processes of change rather than the maintenance of past structures and patterns. We have to constantly reevaluate and revalidate our responses and ideas of 'growth' and 'progress' in such turbulent and recursive times. Such metaphors of progress and growth must move towards leaving things inside us rather than behind us. Having said that, if a thing needs to disintegrate and be left behind, we must let it go and let new systems be born. The aspect of ethics is important in such a situation and should be openly discussed.
-=== Possibilities for urban permaculture kits ===
+  * We must constantly strive to create fertile and diverse systems which bring culture and nature together. This could be through technology, media or traditional mediums. An important example is the use of science and technology through 'e-choupals'in rural Indian villages to increase crop productivity('choupal' is a hindi term for a village gathering place) .
+{{:perma109.jpg|}}
-An important question considered by the researcher was, what are the growth symbols/patterns in urban areas? The challenges in cities can be seen as opportunities. We could come up with design responses which will directly impact the situation. This could be related to to real estate, construction, mass production, modular systems, transportation and architecture. Responses which soften the 'corporate  sheen' of cities to create ubiquitous greens through **ubiquitous planting**. As per recent statistics the planet adds 73 million humans to its tally every year!((http://www.worldometers.info)) Can we add 73 trillion plants every year ?
+===Suggestions===
-see [[urban permaculture kits]]
+The researcher would like to suggest the following threads for the future:
-===Discussion===
+  * Looking at traditional systems of living, farming and education in India which are comparable to permaculture as a holistic approach. The researcher would like to research on Vedanta((http://vedantaworld.org/vedanta.htm)) which is based on laws common to spiritual traditions worldwide.
-see [[site visit and survey notes]]
+  * Analysing the attributes of community based approaches in countries like India and how can we create such initiatives in western societies.
+  * Rethinking our relationship with other life forms in an infinitely interconnected world.
+  * Finding appropriate ways and methods to bring 'ethical' thinking as a core topic in design education and education in general.
+  * Creating an **International Platform for Growth and Resilience**, which tinkers towards a more inclusive, collaborative methodology through a system of integration. Informed by scientific research, practical experience and travel, the platform would act as an independent facilitator and arbiter of emerging knowledge domains. One of the intiatives could be to bring 'polar' groups together to find a common ground. These groups could include young and old; scientists and traditional farmers; environmentalists and corporate executives; capitalists and social entrepreneurs; secular groups with military regime heads; real estate developers with conservationists; politicians with middle class people and so on.
+  * Creating tangible manifestations of human plant interaction to nudge it out of the speculative zone. How would a new relevant design practice emerge through observation of and cooperation with natural systems? The researcher envisions the emergence of a new field of research which merges aspects of urban ecology, design ethnography, cultural anthropology and life science.
-  * //comparison of the expected and the achieved results//
+  * Ultimately thinking of ways in which we can create conditions that make independent ingeniuos ideas inevitable and further trigger collective actions in imaginative, purposeful ways.
-  * //suggestions and comments on the research process and its results//
-  * //description and suggestions around the collaboration process (if applicable)//
-  * //suggestions for the future work based on the conclusions of the research//
 ====References====
-The claims and insights in this research have been informed by the [[delhi interviews|interviews]], [[site visit and survey notes|site visits and surveys]] conducted by the design researcher. The surveys have been based on online research and published papers and books.
+The claims and insights in this research have been informed by the [[delhi interviews|interviews]], [[site visit and survey notes|site visits and surveys]] conducted by the researcher. The surveys have been based on online research and published papers and books.
 Books
@@ Line 227: / Line 222: @@
   * http://www.materialecology.com/
   * http://ecotality.com/life/
 Films
-  * Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, the film explores the peak oil crisis with focus on community based solutions that reflect the values of cooperation, conservation and curtailment. The film captures the free fall of Cuba's economy in early 90's with the fall of the Soviet Union and its brilliant turnaround using drastic measures to become self reliant. It demonstrates the role of community in dealing with acute challenges. Every aspect of cuban life was affected by the 'special period', but no change was as far reaching as agriculture. Cuba was forced to switch to survival agriculture from the green revolution practices it was accustomed to. A drastic effort to convert every piece of arable land to organic agriculture was begin. An urban agriculture movement resulted where every vacant lot in the city was converted into an orchard. Under urban gardening, idle plots of land were identified, cleaned and turned into gardens by the community. The people cooperating and caring about each other were the main factors for the turnaround. With sustainable practices Cuba found that it took 3 to 5 years to rehabilitate the soil again. To increase food production the government worked with farmers to find local solutions. The result was smaller farms and cooperatives with a high degree of privatization and autonomy. These were able to use sustainable practices in a much more efficient manner and created new ways of decentralized growth under a larger umbrella. With a more stable method of land distribution and ownership, thousands moved to rural areas. The impact was also felt in the education, housing, transportation and energy alternatives realms resulting in improvised solutions from the people and the government which has not only created a unique model for all of us but also reinstilled faith in the power of simple steps taken at a community level.
+  * Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, the film explores the peak oil crisis with focus on community based solutions that reflect the values of cooperation, conservation and curtailment. The film captures the free fall of Cuba's economy in early 90's with the fall of the Soviet Union and its turnaround using drastic measures to become self reliant. It demonstrates the role of community in dealing with acute challenges. Every aspect of cuban life was affected by the 'special period', but no change was as far reaching as agriculture. Cuba was forced to switch to survival agriculture from the green revolution practices it was accustomed to. A drastic effort to convert every piece of arable land to organic agriculture was begin. An urban agriculture movement resulted where every vacant lot in the city was converted into an orchard. Under urban gardening, idle plots of land were identified, cleaned and turned into gardens by the community. The people cooperating and caring about each other were the main factors for the turnaround. With sustainable practices Cuba found that it took 3 to 5 years to rehabilitate the soil again. To increase food production the government worked with farmers to find local solutions. The result was smaller farms and cooperatives with a high degree of privatization and autonomy. These were able to use sustainable practices in a much more efficient manner and created new ways of decentralized growth under a larger umbrella. With a more stable method of land distribution and ownership, thousands moved to rural areas. The impact was also felt in the education, housing, transportation and energy alternatives realms resulting in improvised solutions from the people and the government which has not only created a unique model for all of us but also reinstilled faith in the power of simple steps taken at a community level.
   * Bill Mollison-Global Gardener Series 1-4
@@ Line 238: / Line 232: @@
   * Farming with Nature-A case study of successful temperate Permaculture
   * Permaculture- Sepp Holzer - Aquaculture-Synergy of Land and Water
-  * Permaculture- Emilia Hazelip-Synergistic Garden