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- | ==== Gro World _ RUrban Permaculture ==== | + | ==== Gro World - RUrban Permaculture ==== |
- | + | Note: This research began with the working title, 'Gro World - Urban Permaculture' | |
- | This report from [[sanjeev shankar]] is in progress as of 2008-03 | + | |
- | ==== Context ==== | + | === 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 place nature as an object, which is // | ||
+ | * How can we imagine a fertile future for our cities? | ||
+ | This project explores aspects of human environment, | ||
- | | + | Some of the reasons for this project are as follows: |
+ | | ||
+ | * By the end of 2008, half the world' | ||
+ | * Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, unhealthy and disconnected with other life forms. | ||
+ | * Urban problems include acute hunger, unemployment, | ||
+ | * Food crisis is futher compounded by increased use of pesticides, herbicides, biocides and rapidly deteriorating soil quality. | ||
+ | * There has been an acute drop in forest cover and a sharp increase in desert area. | ||
+ | * Natural and traditional systems are a crucial resource and can offer us remedies. Problems can be seen as opportunities. | ||
- | “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)) | + | The objectives |
- | + | ||
- | “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, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 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 ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * //brief summary of the cultural/ | + | |
- | 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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- | India, which has been traditionally known for its diverse culture, vibrancy and strong traditional agricultural methods is today synonymous for its rapid growth and transformation both in rural and urban realms. This nation thrives and lives as much in rural areas as it does in its cities. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | New Delhi, situated within the metropolis of Delhi, is the capital of India and provides a dynamic and complex urban setting. To think of Delhi today, one has to see it in a context of both its changing topography, as well as it being the capital of rapidly changing India. Though it continues to be the political and administrative capital of the country, today 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, with surrounding urbanization extending uninterrupted. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | //Socio Cultural Context// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The research has had a global vision. It 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 Benelux and India. Within India, on one hand it looks at traditional agricultural methods through on-site in-depth understanding of centres which have rooted themselves in rural and tribal 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, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * //brief summary of the cultural/ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | This research would find direct use in India and other nations which have had a strong tradition of agriculture, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * // | + | |
- | This project explores aspects of human environment, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==== Problem/Aim ==== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * //concise summary of the problem domain/s that the research explores, or the specific aims of the research undertaken.// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 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, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | This phase of the project has the following objective: | + | |
- | + | ||
* On-line and literature survey of state of the art in urban gardening and permaculture (global perspective) | * 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 | * On-site research and comparison of urban gardening in the Benelux and India | ||
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* A written report in the prescribed format | * A written report in the prescribed format | ||
- | * // | + | For details |
- | + | ||
- | * The uncontrolled growth of cities has had a devastating impact | + | |
- | * By the end of 2008, half the world' | + | |
- | * 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, | + | |
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | ==== Methods ==== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * //concise description of the way the research has been developed from establishing the problem definition to the final results// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The research started with preliminary discussions between the producer and the design researcher to define the project scope. Thereafter the design researcher shortlisted a series of core topics and [[questions]] which were used as triggers to inform him and in the discussion between him and the users, which in ths case were inhabitants of the city. These discussions contributed in establishing the problem and understanding its complexity. The discussions started in New Delhi and then happened at the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Rain Forest Retreat in Coorg, the Beaulah organic farm in Ooty and the Krac-A-Dawna bio-dynamic farm near Mysore. They were constantly informed by site visits, interviews and analysis of observations made of successful new sustainable enterprises in India. In New Delhi, visits to SARAI, Centre for Science and Environment, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Some of the questions discussed with the inhabitants of Delhi and their initial responses are listed below: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Why are you staying in a city? | + | |
- | * Need for money, ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _What do you like most about your city? | + | |
- | * Tall buildings, cars, super markets, electricity, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ What do you dislike about your city and why? | + | |
- | * We miss home and there is too much noise, pollution, dirt and congestion. Sometimes there are too many people and the //queues are very long//! | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ What is the importance of plants in your life? | + | |
- | * We worship ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Which are the plants that you grow? | + | |
- | * Tulsi, mango, marigold, rose, money plant, chilis, guava, banana, tomatoes, chiku, grapes, neem, jamun, coriander, spinach, mushrooms, brinjal. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ What do you miss about your village/ | + | |
- | * Our family is there, it is more peaceful, our roots are there, we go every six months. But now even our villages are becoming very dirty and noisy. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ In the last few months, Delhi has lost 30,000 trees. What are the reasons for this and could this be avoided? | + | |
- | * Reasons: greed, real estate developers and increase in population. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Can a city and a forest coexist? | + | |
- | * No. | + | |
- | * Isn't a city yet another forest !! (answered by an 8th grade student at the Indian High School, Dubai) | + | |
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- | + | ||
- | The research in New Delhi was preceded by 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. In New Delhi, the focus gradually shifted to the inhabitants of the city, the habitat in which they live and their links with nature. Special attention was given to Chandani Chowk in Old Delhi which has continued to remain one of the most dense and thriving parts of Delhi since the 15th century. Visits to Sarai(Centre for Development Studies) to document ongoing research projects related to ecology along with interaction with artsts at the Khoj community formed the second layer of the study. Interaction with the Biodiversity/ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | * // | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The subject of this project demands a sensitized and practical approach. 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. Visiting the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala and subsequent visits to other centres dedicated to organic methods of farming and revitalisation of traditional Indian farming techniques were crucial to inform the research and 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. All of this has helped to create the right references for this project and enabled the consultant to present a lucid and detailed project report to the producer. | + | |
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- | ==== Solution/ | + | |
- | * //concise description | + | The findings |
=== Permaculture === | === Permaculture === | ||
- | [[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. | + | 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. |
- | Permaculture | + | |
- | ’PERMACULTURE’ was originally coined in the mid seventies by two Australians, | + | ==Urban |
- | For many, the Permaculture focus on land and natural resource management | + | In urban situations, space is limited and various regulatory restrictions exist when it comes to gardening or having backyard animals.((http:// |
- | Permaculture: | + | For more on this topic please see [[urban permaculture concepts]]. |
- | * gives priority to using existing wealth to rebuilding natural capital, especially trees and forests, as a proven storage | + | |
- | * emphasises bottom-up " | + | |
- | * more fundamentally, | + | |
- | * sees pre-industrial sustainable societies as providing models that reflect the more general system design principles observable in nature,and relevant to post-industrial systems. | + | |
- | The assumptions on which permaculture was originally based were: | + | === Cultural peculiarities === |
- | * The environmental crisis is real and its magnitude and impact directly threatens our survival. | + | see [[cultural peculiarities]] |
- | * The ongoing impact of golbal industrial society and human numbers on biodiversity would be far greater than has ever been. | + | |
- | * Humans are subject to the same scientific laws which govern the entire universe including the evolution of life. | + | |
- | * The inevitable depletion of non-renewable fuels will see a return to general pre-industrial systems dependent on renewable energy and resources. | + | |
- | Further, insofar as permaculture is an appropriate response to limitations on use of energy | + | === Europe |
- | == Permaculture Principles == | + | see [[urban farming comparision]] |
- | Permaculture is a wholehearted adaptation to the ecological realities of decline | + | === Orient |
- | 1. Observe and Interact | + | |
- | 2. Catch and store energy | + | |
- | 3. Obtain a yield | + | |
- | 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback | + | |
- | 5. Use and value renewable resources and services | + | |
- | 6. Produce no waste | + | |
- | 7. Design from patterns to details | + | |
- | 8. Integrate rather than segregate | + | |
- | 9. Use small and slow solutions | + | |
- | 10. Use and value diversity | + | |
- | 11. Use edges and value the marginal | + | |
- | 12. Creatiively use and respond to change | + | |
- | Now, in a situation of descent, //ethics// become indispensable and through their culturally evolved systemic nature lead us to create a more inclusive view of who and what constitutes " | + | see [[traditional |
- | * Care for the earth | + | |
- | * Care for the people | + | |
- | * Set limits to consumption and reproduction, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | How one inteprets the principles listed above and implements them is open for refinement and improvisation. One has to take responsibility and see problems as opportunities, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | == Urban Permaculture == | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 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, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Rooftop gardens: Rooftop gardens are a specific urban agriculture niche set within a broader system of city gardens, enjoy 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. The first is container gardening, a less formal, highly flexible, cheaper form of roof gardening. In container gardening, few to no modifications are made to the existing roof structure; containers – anything from plastic swimming pools to recycled-wood planters – are placed on a rooftop and filled with the desired soil type and plants. One of the problems here is the soil in rooftop containers might thaw on a warm winter day. Further roof container gardens dry out quickly and often require daily watering unless a mulch cover such as straw, wood chips or even a sub-soil layer of newspapers and compost is used to slow down evaporation. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The second type of roof garden is green roofs in which the rooftop actually becomes the planting medium. This involves more intensive investments(upto two times the cost of a normal roof), but comes with its own set of advantages, including greater storm-water retention, building insulation, and the formation of patchwork urban ecosystems, which work to reverse the fragmentation of ecosystems that follows urbanization by offering temporary habitats to fauna such as birds and butterflies during their long migrations. Green roofs are constructed using a special root and water-proof membrane for the base layer, then a root barrier, a retention/ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The third rooftop garden possibility is rooftop hydroponics, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * http:// | + | |
- | * http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Rooftop gardens: | + | |
- | * Cool and shade buildings reducing the 'heat island' | + | |
- | * Retain and utilize rainwater, provide wildlife habitat and enhance the roof membrane life | + | |
- | * Have an aesthetic appeal creating a private haven | + | |
- | * Remove heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, and lead from runoff. | + | |
- | * Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air quality by trapping and absorbing nitrous oxides, volatile organic compounds and airborne particulate matter | + | |
- | * Overcome the problem of restrictive land prices and with other vertical sufaces of a building infact create more land. | + | |
- | * Are better off with respect to pests, vandalism and theft as compared to community gardens on land. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Some interesting developments: | + | |
- | * In Switzerland and parts of Germany, this kind of mental shift – resulting in imagining buildings as displacing and not destroying land surface – has become federal law: developers must either improve the biodiversity of existing land, or transfer the green space that they displace to their rooftop or other building surface. | + | |
- | * Rooftop gardens are a billion dollar industry in Germany | + | |
- | * One clause of the Russian law states that authorities are obliged to help gardening associations with roads construction and repair, as well as water drainage and supply. | + | |
- | * Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, both used roof gardens extensively in their architecture | + | |
- | * New York has established a green roof task force, which is exploring direct government support of green roofs, including tax credits and other | + | |
- | incentives. | + | |
- | * The Earth Pledge Foundation in New York strives to address sustainability at the local level – its programs include the Green Roof Initiative, which | + | |
- | encourages initiatives to green New York City’s rooftops, and the Waste=Fuel program, | + | |
- | * Hydroponics is found to be way too complex and expensive in lot of eastern countries and some of african countries too. In these places, roof gardens build out of local materials are most suitable. They are repair and maintained by the communities themselves. This is seen in places like India, St. Petersburg and Senegal. Infact, in Senegal people have devised a local solution using bricks and wooden box beds. In India too, the use of locally available cheap materials to create roof gardens is most successful. The “Doshi System” is offered as the most suitable method. It uses sugarcane stalks, collected from sugarcane juice vendors outside of his house, as biomass. This is lightweight, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The most significant challenges facing roof top gardens in all its forms are issues of access and roof load capacity. These barriers are especially problematic in liability-obsessed countries like the United States, although concerns for safety and building protection are certainly valid. Lack of | + | |
- | knowledge or incentives, funding, water supply, safety, and the harshness of rooftop environments are also major barriers. Still, rooftop agriculture is slowly becoming more common, particularly in the developing world, where rooftop food production may have a significant impact on food security and income, solutions are creative and site-specific, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | For more details and case studies about rooftop gardens around the world, please click on the link below. This is a senior honors thesis from Cornell University. {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Cooperative Arrangements: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Co-Ownership of Assets: In Albuquerque, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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!). | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * The BackYard Forester, Los Angeles: A nonprofit organization, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * 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! | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === Orient vs Occident_ traditional farming === | + | |
- | + | ||
- | see [[tradition | + | |
=== Possibilities for urban permaculture kits === | === Possibilities for urban permaculture kits === | ||
+ | This section explores a series of initiatives which could trigger independent green worlds. | ||
+ | see [[urban permaculture kits]] | ||
- | Note: The proposals and thoughts given below are diverse and vary from long term complex interventions to short term product solutions. The time range is variable too, from few years to few decades. Some of these proposals could directly feed the {sym} trajectory of GroWorld while others would be more suitable to the {bio} trajectory with GroWorld. | + | ===Discussion=== |
- | 1. To create **unbound spaces** | + | see [[site visit and survey notes]] |
- | {{: | + | ===Directions=== |
- | {{: | + | |
- | A more short term approach could be to develop a series | + | The idea of growth |
- | 2. To create **green spider kits** which result in **spatial green micro environments** at an architectural level. Initially | + | |
- | 3. **Green strings**: A natural fibre string (possibly jute) which holds seed balls and can be strung between buildings. With time the seeds germinate and we have suspended plantations. Interesting possibilities could result over time with plants growing at an angle or upside down. The kit could actually pick up on the way prayer beads and flower garlands are assembled | + | |
- | 4. To have ubiquitous planting we can create a series of green tiles which can be used in a modular manner in the construction and automobile industry. _ **a green brick**_ a brick which breathes and lives like a plant_ you could call it a plant tile too: a properly designed intelligent green organic modular brick which can have a range of plants/ | + | * The most insightful ideas are also the most basic. These can come from any source, independent |
- | The form of the tiles could be inspired from the field of biomimetics and would be strategically adapted to solve pressing problems specific to urban realms: | + | |
- | * Generate fragrance | + | |
- | * Predate on pests and act as repellents for termites (Lantana is a pest repellent) | + | |
- | * Absorb noise and act as acoustic buffers. They could even generate light(bioluminescence) | + | |
- | * Become a source of nutrients, vitamins and herbal medicine ( Leucus aspara cures bronchitis and asthma, Lia Indica cures ulcers | + | |
- | * Become | + | |
- | {{:perma09.jpg|}} | + | * Critical focus on agricultural research backed by scientific education, traditional wisdom, aggressive trial and error and practical farming experience. This field needs action. We need spirited individuals willing to do physical work with strategic technical assistance. |
- | The message here is, //we will not step back//, we will not cut back on the scale and pace of growth in urban realms but we //can// feed life and fertility into that growth | + | * 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 |
- | 5. The next stage of the green tile could be to create an **enhanced, biorenewable moss tile**. This could be self replicating and possibly generate electricity by acting as sun catchers. By behaving as water retainers they could also contribute | + | * The need for a gradual shift towards a ' |
- | 6. To provide safe drinking water through modular **water purification kits** which use water purifying plants/ | + | |
- | {{:perma63.jpg|}} | + | |
- | 7. To create biofuel through a modular | + | |
- | 8. Creating | + | |
+ | {{:perma109.jpg|}} | ||
- | 9. Alternatively creating **green fireflies** which when surrounded by darkness start glowing to emit light. The latter could find real use in countries like India where energy and light is in big demand. Field of research: biolumniscence | + | ===Suggestions=== |
- | An interesting counter example worth mentioning is the project, 'Green Light' by by Natalie Jeremijenko of the Experimental Design Lab. The product includes an integrated solar panel to power a super-efficient LED bulb to stimulate plants of high air filtrating varieties. However, the question, if this product is really ' | + | |
- | {{: | + | |
- | 10. Creating **green charkhas** | + | The researcher would like to suggest |
- | {{:perma29.jpg|}} {{:perma30.jpg|}} | + | * 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:// |
+ | * Analysing the attributes of community based approaches in countries like India and how can we create such initiatives in western societies. | ||
- | 11. Creating a **green clock**, which uses the natural rhythms of plants and flowers as a new way of denoting and communicating time. This would be an interesting way to look at the linear progression of time in a different way. Flowers, following their circadian rhythms can prove to be interesting timekeepers. What if we could coordinate the blooming such that flowers open and close at set times of the day or connect it with the movement of leaves? Swedish botanist Carolus Linneaus first made the connection between flowers and time. The formal study of biological temporal rhythms such as daily, weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms, is called chronobiology and the study of this could inform this design. Some of the flowering plants and their opening times are given below: | + | |
- | * Common morning glory: 6 am | + | * Finding appropriate ways and methods |
- | * Water Lily: 7 am | + | |
- | * Field marigold: 9 am | + | |
- | * Star-of-Bethlehem: | + | |
- | * Passion flower | + | |
- | * Moon flower: 5 pm | + | |
- | * Evening primrose: 6 pm | + | |
- | * Fig marigold: 7 to 8 pm | + | |
- | * Night blooming cereus: 8 to 9 pm | + | |
- | These times are accurate | + | * 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, | ||
- | 12. **Seed Spot Project** | + | * Ultimately thinking of ways in which we can create conditions that make independent ingeniuos ideas inevitable and further trigger collective actions in imaginative, |
- | Bacground: //Rural vs Urban//: During the course of this journey, Sanjeev has begun to question the proposed duality between rural and urban. Instead of partitioning and segmenting one field or one reality from the other, our true strength lies in synthesising both realities. We need to create a new reality. //We need to involve and evolve the city with the country people//. We need to create linkages. We need to have cities which have ' | + | ====References==== |
- | During his travels to remote rural parts, Sanjeev sometimes wonders if the experience is real? How could both experiences be real and how could he feel a part of two seemingly different spatial, mental constructs? Certain parts of Delhi( e.g. Chandni Chowk) and Bombay(pigeon feeding spots) create a sense of absolute ' | + | |
- | In his mind there is no difference between the real and the virtual. There is always a constant and complimentary force at play. A city's bedrock are its variables, its idiocyncracies, | + | The claims |
- | We could start with an attempt to declare spaces within a city as '**community seed spots**' | + | Books |
+ | | ||
+ | | ||
- | {{: | + | URLs |
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- | Some questions: What would be the defining feature of such a space? Why does it work in a place like India and not in the West? Can the Indian model be analysed, distilled and reintepreted? | + | |
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- | ==== Discussion ==== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * **Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam** | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Established in 1663, the hortus is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world with more than 6000 plants from all over. What started out as a medicinal herb garden, the hortus grows only pure plant species, as they are found in nature. It is also the first botanic garden in the Netherlands to display the molecular systemics of plants to everyone and continues to organize various cultural, educational and botanical activities through out the year. | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | * **Current Status of Organic farming in India** | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Organic farming is gathering momentum all over the globe and is currently practiced in more than 100 countries. Although the term ' | + | |
- | getting popularity in recent times, but it was initiated in 10000 years back when ancient farmers started cultivation depending on natural sources only. There is brief mention of several organic inputs in our ancient literatures like Rigveda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
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- | The term " | + | |
- | * To work as much as possible within a closed system, and draw upon local resources. | + | |
- | * To maintain the long-term fertility of soils. | + | |
- | * To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques. | + | |
- | * To produce foodstuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity. | + | |
- | * To reduce the use of fossil energy in agricultural practice to a minimum. | + | |
- | * To give livestock conditions of life that confirm to their physiological need. | + | |
- | * To make it possible for agricultural producers to earn a living through their work and develop their potentialities as human being. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The four pillars of organic farming are: Organic standards, Certification/ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The Indian Agriculture is traditionally organic and farmers were following organic cultivation till the middle of the last century (1950). The Green | + | |
- | Revolution was ushered in India during sixty and it has been the cornerstone of India' | + | |
- | agriculture in the long run calling attention for sustainable production which will address soil health, human health and environmental health and eco-friendly agriculture. Organic farming appears to be one of the options for sustainability. Starting of organic agriculture in India in 1900 by Sir Albert Howard, a British agronomist in North India, Development of Indore Method of aerobic compost (Howard, 1929), Bangalore method of | + | |
- | anaerobic compost (Archarya, 1934), NADEP Compost (ND Pandari Panda, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The year 2000 was a very important year for India from organic point of view. The four major happenings during this year were: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * The Planning Commission constituted (2000) a steering group on agriculture who identified organic farming as National challenge and suggested it should be taken in the form of a project as major thrust area for 10th-plan. The group recommended organic farming in North Eastern Region, rain fed areas and in the areas where the consumption of agro chemicals is low or negligible. | + | |
- | * The National Agricultural Policy(2000) recommended promotion of traditional knowledge of agriculture relating to organic farming and its scientific upgradation. | + | |
- | * The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture constituted (2000) a Taskforce on organic farming. | + | |
- | * The Ministry of Commerce launched the National Organic Programme in April 2000 and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production(NPOP). | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Vast stretches of India and its farmers continue to be organic by default. Organic fertilizer and natural pest control are the only tools available to most of these farmers, who have always lacked the financial resources to explore chemical solutions. Further, a significant number of them have chosen to farm organically, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Global statistics do not reflect this fact about India! As per the study (2004) of the Foundation Ecology and Agriculture (known as SOEL), | + | |
- | the global organic area is 24 million ha. The major part of this area is located in Australia (about 10 million hectares), Argentina | + | |
- | (almost 3million hectares. Australia /Oceania holds 42% of the world' | + | |
- | than 61,000. In 2004, India' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The fees for registering a farm as ' | + | |
- | Further, almost all bank loans are for pure crop farmers, that is, monoculturalists. While many of these big-business farmers use harmful chemicals and processes, small farmers fertilizing their soil with recycled organic wastes are usually ineligible for insurance, much less state subsidies. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | * **Case Study Delhi** | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Some pointers related to organic farming in Delhi: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * As India struggles to deal with stagnation in its crucial agricultural sector, small-scale organic farming initiatives near the capital are providing clues on how to reap healthy profits from the land. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Around New Delhi, free-range and organic goods from newcomers to farming are showing that money can be made by growing specialty products that consumers are willing to pay more for. High-value crops which include fruits, vegetables, milk, poultry products and fish are the focus and not cereals. A French Farm in Gurgaon, a suburb of New Delhi known mainly for its call centres, raises thousands of free-range Peking and Muscovy ducks on feed that is free of pesticide and antibiotics. A lot of these products are sold to five star hotels and not the common man on the streets. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * A more recent start-up, **Heritage Health Food**, delivers boxed organic food grown on 80 acres of leased land. The two-year-old firm makes 200 to 300 deliveries a week, priced at between 200 and 400 rupees (five to 10 dollars) depending on weight, and is still to become common with the middle class household. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * " | + | |
- | "Many people are still going in for traditional farming, which is mostly organic. Four million hectares (9.8 million acres) of land are now devoted to certified organic farming for export, including of mangoes, spices and nuts." | + | |
- | The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed standards for organic exports, and mandatory domestic standards are in the works. This will make it easier and cheaper for farmers to get the kind of accreditation that is recognised abroad. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * In New Delhi, the **Navdanya** outlets started by environmentalist Vandana Shiva source organic oils and lentils from small farmers. Through their direct market initiative, they also bring different varieties of rice, wheat, flour, dals, rajma, spices, edible oils, breakfast cereals, natural sweeteners, millets, cookies, jams, pickles, squashes, culinary herbs etc. Recently they have partnered with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to avail an existing network of HPCL centres which double up as organic outlets. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * One of the country' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Elsewhere in India, more than 5,000 farmers in 250 villages of Surat in Gujarat have switched over to organic farming, according to agro-expert Chandrakanth Mandavia of the Abhyuthan Gram Vikas Mandal, a Surat-based organisation. The most common crops are mushrooms and mangoes. | + | |
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- | http:// | + | |
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- | In Delhi, apart from the ridge forest which is the capital' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Home gardens are commonly seen in New Delhi with the role of the local ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==Extract from Peri-urban agriculture in India by D S Bhupal, Dr. Fiona Marshall, Dolf te Lintelo== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * The rural-peri-urban-urban continuum itself is dynamic in nature and the changes are more marked around cities that are rapidly urbanizing or growing both economically and spatially. | + | |
- | * Rural agriculture remains the focus in India. | + | |
- | * A neglect of this issue by the international and national research communities. Indeed, in India, government policies, scientific research communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have shown little recognition of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA). | + | |
- | * Urban food security is becoming a matter of increasing concern and urban poverty is reflected in the nutritional status of people. | + | |
- | * The main urban agricultural area in the core area of the city of Delhi is the floodplain along the Yamuna River. The area beyond the urban conglomeration of " | + | |
- | * Urbanization and industrialization affect agriculture in the peri-urban areas, as population pressure from the city results in changes in land use - from agricultural to urban land use, be it for housing, commercial, industrial or other purposes. Where the land use remains agricultural, | + | |
- | * The role of agriculture as a livelihood strategy for the poor in peri-urban areas: access to land and water is the prime condition for urban peri agriculture | + | |
- | * Wheat, rice and great and spiked millet are cultivated on most of the agricultural land. Vegetable cultivation is also popular. | + | |
- | * The number of days of involvement in agriculture as reported by labourers surveyed ranged from 100 to 270 days per year. On average, agricultural labourers were involved for 48 days in zaid/summer (May-June), 55 days in kharif/wet (July-October) and 52 days in rabi/winter season (October-April). | + | |
- | * Agriculture has an important function in providing employment for poor people in the fringe areas of Delhi. The agricultural activities have a fairly rural character, with dominant roles for cereal (such as wheat, millet and paddy) and fodder crops. Typical cropping systems are millet-wheat; | + | |
- | * The trend in cropping patterns around Delhi is for traditional multicropping systems of local cereal crops, pulses and oilseeds being replaced by high-input high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice after the green revolution. One striking feature of the agricultural systems is that farmers are producing a large amount of green fodder crops such as berseem. These crops demand relatively little attention, allowing farmers to focus their efforts on cultivating other produce. Generally, fodder is grown for cattle feed, and a significant share is used for buffaloes and cows in dairy production. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | // | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | // | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | // | + | |
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- | //Assessing constraints to production:// | + | |
- | In view of the general lack of awareness about the significance of UPA, creating effective linkages with research and policy communities is of prime importance. Firstly, this requires the identification of key stakeholders from government, private sector and non-governmental organizations. Secondly, in-depth analysis of the existing legal-administrative, | + | |
- | The policy environment in general is marked by a common dichotomy between urban and rural development administration and policies, leaving little scope for acknowledgement of the specific characteristics and needs of agriculture in the urban and peri-urban areas. Agricultural policies are primarily designed for rural areas, and are therefore not always compatible with the needs of UPA farmers. To bridge this gap, opportunities for linking up with activities and programmes need to be identified. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==Chandni Chowk, Delhi== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Also known as the ' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{green_01.jpg}} | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | ==TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute, Forestry department), | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * http:// | + | |
- | * http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Community outreach program of HHG(home herbal gardens) in Delhi using the following plants: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Holy basil (English), Rama tulsi (Hindi). The plant is used in the treatment of cough, cold, bronchitis, diarrhea and dysentery. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Stevia (English). The processed leaves yield a natural sweetener which is a substitute for table sugar, safe for diabetics, as it does not affect | + | |
- | blood sugar levels. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ King of biters (English), Kalmegh (Hindi). The plant is used for treating dysentery, cholera, diabetes, influenza, bronchitis, piles, gonorrhoea, and snake venom poisoning. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Asparagus (English), Shatavari (Hindi). The plant part is used for treating nervous disorders, tumours, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberculosis and bronchitis. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Tinospora Gulancha (English), Giloy (Hindi). The plant is used in the treatment of fever, jaundice, thirst, loss of appetite, urinary diseases, and skin ailments. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Aloe (English), Gwar Patha (Hindi). The plant part is used to heal wounds, ulcers, and burns. It is also used to treat liver and spleen ailments. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Winter Cherry (English), Ashwagandha (Hindi). The plant part is used in Ayurvedic medicines to treat ulcers, fever, cough, rheumatism, leucoderma and to restore memory loss. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Lemon grass (English), Gandhatrina (Hindi). The herb is a stimulant (increases physical or nervous activity), diaphoretic (increases perspiration), | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Mint (English), Pudina (Hindi). The infusion of leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism. Oil from the plant; know as Japanese Mint Oil is used to cure fever. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | _ Vasaka (English), Adusa (Hindi). Used for treating bronchitis, asthma, and dental ailments. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | This outreach program in urban realms would also lend to revitalising traditional Indian medicinal plant knowledge and create independent seed banks. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | * **Case Study South India** | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Spread over 55 acres, the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a large rainforest reserve in the Western Ghat Mountains of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to conservation and education. Founded in 1981, the Sanctuary restores endangered species and habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, where only a fraction of original forest remains and much of the native flora has been tragically and sometimes deliberately extracted or “cleaned up” for human use. While witnessing the exuberant growth of anthuriums and begonias around us, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of ayurveda and organic teas on the forests and how their price does not reflect the real price we all are paying in the long run. I am told the amount of bio mass which goes into their production is shockingly high. Of course there are issues of the rise and fall of tea and coffee prices and how economics and ecology have become interlinked. We move on and see the epiphytic orchids in the orchidarium conserved in the most impressive manner. I am told that out of 300000 known plants about 30000 are orchids. The sanctuary itself is a repository of over 2000 plant species which is about one-third of the entire regions flora. These have been rescued from degraded and destroyed environments. While we are told about a pit viper which is often seen coiled up among the plants, another viper quietly waits next to the pond, attracted by the numerous frogs that breed there. Conservation in this district of Wayanad, where the original settlers were small migrant farmers with immediate survival needs, is an exceptionally challenging job. Fighting for the last bits of rain forests is not a choice, but a crucial need and responsibility here. The care and patience with which these plants have been brought back to life, I feel there is no other way to protect them. Such single minded focus is what makes this place special. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The Sanctuary is run by a small group of resident gardeners, naturalists and educators, and supported by a wide circle of well-wishers. Together it offers an approach that is connected to the climate, landscape, ecosystems, plants, animals and people of the region. In Suprabha’s own words, “The focus here is to find creative, localized and effective ways to restore natural places. Termed as ecosystem gardening, this involves working closely with plants and their environments: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The sanctuary brings back memories of remote tribes in north east India and the way they allow their work and rituals to become a seamless extension of their life. However, here, the difference lies in a strong sense of independence and pride in the work. Everyone can speak in English and that is a great equaliser. I see joy, love, and complete immersion in everyone’s eyes. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The results in Gurukula are due to a clear understanding and acceptance of the complexity of the problem and of the diversity of techniques required, including detailed long-term observation, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==Rainforest Retreat== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The Rainforest Retreat is an eco-lodge located on an Organic Spice Plantation (MOJO Plantation) nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats (in Kodagu district of southern Karnataka). Founded by Dr. Sujata, a botanist and Anurag Goel, a molecular biologist turned organic farmer, their business model is based on sharing the nuances of organic farming with the visitors apart from selling locally grown cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper and coffee. Their methods are based on the following prnciples aimed at working toward generating a sustainable agri-ecosystem in the fragile environment: | + | |
- | * Maintaining the forest canopy to conserve the top soil and replenish it with compost. | + | |
- | * Recycling all forms of materials generated on the farm | + | |
- | * Creating conditions favoring the survival of other components of the farm-field(agri-) ecosystem, like the predatory and microbial populations of the soil. | + | |
- | * Emphasizing on multiple-cropping systems | + | |
- | * Identifying and usng non-toxic(plant) sustitutes for chemically synthesized fertilizers and pesticides only under conditions of extreme necessity. | + | |
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- | ==Beaulah Farm== | + | |
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- | Tucked away in a picturesque pocket of the Nilgiris in South India, Beulah Farm provides the chance visitor a rare personal treat in the state of Tamil Nadu. The place which was founded by Eapen Jacob, does not fall within the usual tourist circuit. One may stumble upon it in the course of meandering walks one usually takes in the hills. Around the cottage, what looks like a wild tangle of a garden, each shrub, plant and bush makes up the herb garden which has been lovingly nurtured and tended to by Eapen, who plays music to his plants every day! From the three different kinds of basil and four different kinds of mint, the rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley. Passion fruits, Malta oranges, lemons make the fruit orchard, along with the strawberry patch. All of these go into making wines, liqueurs, tart marmalades, rhubarb jam and preserves made in a unique way in Sandalwood barrels on the farm. 23 different varieties of Rose wine (including a green and a black rose), guava squash, mint liqueur and a horse radish wine are some of his most popular products, all made in an organic way perfected over the last 25 years. In Jacob' | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | ==Krac-Á-Dawna Organic Farm== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Founded by Juli and Vivek Cariappa, KRAC-A-DAWNA is an evolving farm nestled deep within rural Karnataka. It is an important member of the OFAI(Organic Farmers association of India) and has for long searched for practical solutions to daily problems. From home-schooling to manure-teas and bio-gas there are no fixed rules here. Ths is an interesting example in self-learning and re-learning about believing in one's instincts and defying a modern developmental process that relies too heavily on mass production and a rigid definition | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
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- | {{: | + | |
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- | + | ||
- | ==International Plants Expo, Dubai== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Held from March 04-06, 2008 IPM DUBAI ia a focussed trade exhibition | + | |
- | http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | {{: | + | |
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- | One of the products, //nature pot// by NAPAC, a Zurich based company specialising in the development and manufacturing of products made of raw materials from renewable resources: is suitable for outdoor and indoor plant cultivation. A smart kit which comes with seeds and organic fertiliser, it rates highly on bio-innovation. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | == Project Deep Fields == | + | |
- | + | ||
- | An interesting proposal in the 'Green Cities and Open Ideas' category by Krishna Balakrishna from UC Berkeley and Ganesh Mohan, IIT Chennai. The study proposes to create a **Deep Fields Organic Farmers Co-operative** which connects the problem of improper garbage disposal in Indian cities to providing an impetus for organic farming in urban edges. The project stems from a desire to initiate a program that is financially viable, ecologically sustainable, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | In brief the proposal consists of the following steps: | + | |
- | 1. Utilize urban organic waste for generating compost. | + | |
- | 2. Promote organic farming of fruits and vegetables using this compost, in villages near urban centers | + | |
- | 3. Set up a viable model of distributing the produce to small scale retail units in the cities. | + | |
- | 4. Set up a points system by which the citizens who contribute organic waste get discounts on their shopping at these small scale retail units. | + | |
- | 5. Urban waste that is generated enters the above described cycle once again. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The complete report can be seen here: | + | |
- | {{: | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==" | + | |
- | + | ||
- | http:// | + | |
- | http:// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | " | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The project started with Comprehensive Data-Gathering and Benchmarking and invents a great deal of new methodology. The empirical study of built form and settlement structure enabled the group to create new quantitative models, including a " | + | |
- | + | ||
- | This extensive exercise in quantitative analysis and modeling was the foundation for a reimagining of the city of Panjim, following the newly framed principles of " | + | |
- | RUrbanism involves transforming the city into a symbiotic partner with both nature and rural culture and a net producer of resources and value, rather than a parasitic consumer. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | + | ||
- | * // | + | |
- | * // | + | |
- | * // | + | |
- | * // | + | |
- | * //comments on the response of the public (if applicable)// | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==== References ==== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * // | + | |
- | + | ||
- | URLS (these should be included as footnotes for the relevant sections) | + | |
* http:// | * http:// | ||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
Line 647: | Line 208: | ||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
* http:// | * http:// | ||
+ | * http:// | ||
+ | |||
- | * //media used in the research (film, audiovisual media, photographs...)// | + | Films |
- | 1. Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, | + | * Power of community: Produced by the community solution organization, |
- | * // | + | * Bill Mollison-Global Gardener Series 1-4 |
+ | * Bill Mollison-Funding | ||
+ | * Bill Mollison-Permaculture Design Course | ||
+ | * Farming with Nature-A case study of successful temperate Permaculture | ||
+ | * Permaculture- Sepp Holzer - Aquaculture-Synergy of Land and Water | ||