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research_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-05-16 13:18] – sanjeevresearch_report_sanjeev-shankar [2008-05-16 13:39] – sanjeev
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   * How can we imagine a fertile future for our cities?    * How can we imagine a fertile future for our cities? 
 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. It documents the global status of urban permaculture and 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 out of the bush and into the 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. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to initiate collective public action to bridge this gap. 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. It documents the global status of urban permaculture and 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 out of the bush and into the 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. The thrust of this research and thereby this project is to explore methods to initiate collective public action to bridge this gap.
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-This journey started in Brussels and Amsterdam through informal discussions between the producer, FoAM, represented by Maja Kuzmanovic and the design researcher, Sanjeev Shankar. Thereafter, the base shifted to India where Sanjeev visited New Delhi, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, the Beulah organic farm in Tamil Nadu, the Rain Forest Retreat and the Krac-A-Dawna biodynamic farm in Karnataka. The project has also been benefitted by  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; Tata Energy Research Institute; Khoj_a community of artists and Chandani Chowk_ a 15th century thriving settlement in Old Delhi. In New Delhi, the research was also informed by on-field studies by Sonal Malhotra, a local designer. The research has since proceeded through follow up exchanges with other members of FoAM: Evelina Kusaite, Cocky Eek, Theun Karelse, Steven Pickles and Nik Gaffney and concluded at the GroWorld design session in Brussels on 15th April 2008. The findings of the research were also presented at the Media Ecologies workshop at St. Erme in France. These findings would find use in regions, which have a strong tradition of agriculture: China, Japan, India, Guatemala, Costarica and Peru, to name few of them. And, through a comparative analysis of the urban character, gardening trends and culture of Europe and India, this research strives to bring out aspects which can inform a sustainable growth pattern in these regions. Further, the section on urban permaculture kits, explores a series of design experiments which could act as catalysts for product solutions and initiatives for the future city.  
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 The objectives of Phase 1 are given below: The objectives of Phase 1 are given below:
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   * Participation in the groWorld design session in April 2008   * Participation in the groWorld design session in April 2008
   * A written report in the prescribed format   * A written report in the prescribed format
 +
 +The findings of this research would find use in regions, which have 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 these regions. Further, the section on urban permaculture kits, explores a series of design experiments which could act as catalysts for product solutions and initiatives for a sustainble city. 
  
 Some of the reasons for this project are as follows: Some of the reasons for this project are as follows:
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 === Methodology === === Methodology ===
  
-The research started with preliminary discussions between the producer and the design researcher in Brusssels to define the project scope.  +For details on the methodology please click on [[method]]. 
-For more details on the methodology please click on [[method]]. +
  
 === India === === India ===
  • research_report_sanjeev-shankar.txt
  • Last modified: 2008-06-13 21:58
  • by sanjeev