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=== Introduction === | === 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: | + | 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? | * Is there an ecological limit to economic growth? | ||
* Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? | * Do we have the right to consider human beings as more valuable than other life forms? | ||
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Some of the reasons for this project are as follows: | 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' | * By the end of 2008, half the world' | ||
* Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms. | * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms. | ||
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* On-site research of Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, focusing on preserving and increasing biodiversity | * On-site research of Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, focusing on preserving and increasing biodiversity | ||
* Design for urban gardening prototypes and kits | * Design for urban gardening prototypes and kits | ||
- | * Article for the Luminous Green publication on the [[Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary]] | + | * Article for the Luminous Green publication on the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary |
* Participation in the Research Gathering in October 2007 | * Participation in the Research Gathering in October 2007 | ||
* Participation in the groWorld design session in April 2008 | * Participation in the groWorld design session in April 2008 | ||
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===Directions=== | ===Directions=== | ||
We are all becoming increasingly aware that our actions can no longer be seen as isolated acts of private concern. The idea of sustainability is a constantly evolving journey. It is not a destination. The insights and lessons through this journey go beyond farming and ecology. Since, the nature of farming and land is highly interconnected, | We are all becoming increasingly aware that our actions can no longer be seen as isolated acts of private concern. The idea of sustainability is a constantly evolving journey. It is not a destination. The insights and lessons through this journey go beyond farming and ecology. Since, the nature of farming and land is highly interconnected, | ||
- | The researcher would like to conclude with the following directives: | + | The researcher would like to conclude with the following directives |
* The most insightful ideas are also the most basic. These can come from any source, independent of age, status, experience or academic background. | * The most insightful ideas are also the most basic. These can come from any source, independent of age, status, experience or academic background. | ||
- | * We need to nurture a moral force: an anchor in every culture, which challenges convention. This could come from spirituality, | + | * We need to nurture a **moral force**: an anchor in every culture, which challenges convention. This could come from spirituality, |
- | * We need a counterpoint to the ongoing movement of ' | + | * We need a counterpoint to the ongoing movement of ' |
- | * There is a need for a gradual shift towards a 'we' | + | * There is a need for a gradual shift towards a **we** and ' |
- | * 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 ' | + | * 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 ' |
* 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. This is an important factor for continued unsustainable migration from villages to cities. There is a need to redefine the mental and physical construct of an ' | * 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. This is an important factor for continued unsustainable migration from villages to cities. There is a need to redefine the mental and physical construct of an ' | ||
- | * Urban communities should join hands with rural areas to create a prosperous countryside, | + | |
- | * It is important to bring out the connection between a fertile soil, and healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy humans. This highlights the role of education and media. | + | * It is important to bring out the **connection** between a fertile soil, and healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy humans. This highlights the role of education and media. |
- | * Land must be safeguarded from the operations of finance. This calls for reforms in the legal system where the rights of other life forms should also be safeguarded. 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 | + | * Land must be safeguarded from the operations of finance. This calls for reforms in the **legal system** where the rights of other life forms should also be safeguarded. |
* 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, | * 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, | ||
- | * There is a need to 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. | + | * There is a need to 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. |
- | * From an urban farming perspective, | + | * From an urban farming perspective, |
- | * There is a need for collaboration between different cultures and contexts to develop a ' | + | * There is a need for **collaboration** between different cultures and contexts to develop a ' |
- | * 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 ' | + | * We must constantly strive to 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 ' |
{{: | {{: | ||
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* Rethinking our relationship with other life forms in an infinitely interconnected world. | * Rethinking our relationship with other life forms in an infinitely interconnected world. | ||
- | * Finding appropriate ways and methods to bring ' | + | * Finding appropriate ways and methods to bring ' |
- | * Creating an **International Platform for Growth and Resilience**, | + | * Creating an **International Platform for Growth and Resilience**, |
* 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, | * 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, | ||
- | * Ultimately thinking of ways in which we can create conditions that make independent | + | * Ultimately thinking of ways in which we can create conditions that make independent |
====References==== | ====References==== |