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urban_permaculture_kits [2008-05-12 12:32] – sanjeevurban_permaculture_kits [2008-05-15 17:04] (current) – sanjeev
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 1. **Seed Spot Project** 1. **Seed Spot Project**
  
-During the course of this journey, the researcher 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 complex reality. We need to create strong linkages between rural and urban systems. We need to have cities which have 'villages' or rural spaces growing and thriving within them. Can we imagine urban inhabitants looking out their of windows onto rice paddies and vegetable gardens, and beyond to forested and natural resource lands? Can we see migrant birds nesting in our homes(or on the building skins) in a symbiotic manner? How can we learn from the communal get-together patterns of urban wild-life and conciously simulate them in our built fabric? How can the quality of life in Brussels or any other urban settlement start having a more healthy, diverse and holistic character?+During the course of this journey, the researcher began questioning the proposed duality between rural and urban. Instead of partitioning and segmenting one realm from the other, our true strength lies in synthesising both the realms. We need to create a new reality, which links rural and urban systems. We need to have cities which have 'villages' or rural spaces growing and thriving within them. Can we imagine urban inhabitants looking out of their windows onto rice paddies and vegetable gardens, and beyond, to forested areas? Can we see birds nesting in our homes(or on the building skins) in a symbiotic manner? How can we learn from the communal get-together patterns of urban wild-life and conciously simulate them in our built fabric? How can the quality of life in Brussels or any other urban settlement have a more healthy, diverse and holistic character?
  
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 5. To create **green spider kits** which result in **spatial green micro environments** at an architectural level. Initially a playful framework which can be installed on existing vertical faces of buildings and finally creating a green envelope at a local level. The framework could be made of thin, colorful bamboo rings/loops combined with a tensile wire frame which supports appropriate plantations requiring minimum maintainance. The frames could be modularly attached over and over again. Over time the spatial framework will become invisible and the plantation layer ubiquitous. Such green bubbles would gradually become **spatial green rivers**, a regular feature in urban settings and over time evolve to become self sustaining ( they might develop features to catch mist from the air and fulfill their water requirements ! ) An important issue here would be to make this kit playful and modular such that middle class families could assemble and install it at an individual household level or community level. Further the source of the plants: the seed pod, could be residing inside these homes. This would create much needed awareness and sensitivity through a participatory approach resulting in effective, collective action. In certain areas which have buildings close to each other, say around a courtyard or continuous open space, these rivers would be more like green bridges, creating numerous overhead cross linkages through which sun light sprinkles down. The bridges could also be made of a string or a wire generating and evolving in a manner depending on what form the communty wants it to take. One of the interesting possibilities could be using seed balls which are strung together and suspended between buildings. Overtime these would sprout and act as green catalysts. As humans we would provide the structure and the geometry for the plantation. Some of the plants suitable for this could be **epiphytic or air plants**, for example orchids, ferns, mosses to name a few.  5. To create **green spider kits** which result in **spatial green micro environments** at an architectural level. Initially a playful framework which can be installed on existing vertical faces of buildings and finally creating a green envelope at a local level. The framework could be made of thin, colorful bamboo rings/loops combined with a tensile wire frame which supports appropriate plantations requiring minimum maintainance. The frames could be modularly attached over and over again. Over time the spatial framework will become invisible and the plantation layer ubiquitous. Such green bubbles would gradually become **spatial green rivers**, a regular feature in urban settings and over time evolve to become self sustaining ( they might develop features to catch mist from the air and fulfill their water requirements ! ) An important issue here would be to make this kit playful and modular such that middle class families could assemble and install it at an individual household level or community level. Further the source of the plants: the seed pod, could be residing inside these homes. This would create much needed awareness and sensitivity through a participatory approach resulting in effective, collective action. In certain areas which have buildings close to each other, say around a courtyard or continuous open space, these rivers would be more like green bridges, creating numerous overhead cross linkages through which sun light sprinkles down. The bridges could also be made of a string or a wire generating and evolving in a manner depending on what form the communty wants it to take. One of the interesting possibilities could be using seed balls which are strung together and suspended between buildings. Overtime these would sprout and act as green catalysts. As humans we would provide the structure and the geometry for the plantation. Some of the plants suitable for this could be **epiphytic or air plants**, for example orchids, ferns, mosses to name a few. 
  
-6. To provide safe drinking water through modular **water purification kits** which use water purifying plants/algae or bacteria. This could again bring a strong connection between plants and humans with pure water being a serious concern in the developing world. An interesting project is the Ó Oxygen generator by Mathieu Lehanneur which contains oxygen-producing organisms called Spirulina platensis. Another project by the same designer, BEL AIR utilizes plants to act as an air filtering system.+6. To provide safe drinking water through modular **water purification kits** which use water purifying plants/algae or bacteria. This could again bring a strong connection between plants and humans with pure water being a serious concern in the developing world. Similarly, air purification kits can also be deeveloped based on the filtering abilities of plants_namely gerbera, philodendron, spathyphillum, pathos and cholorophythum. An interesting project is the Ó Oxygen generator by Mathieu Lehanneur which contains oxygen-producing organisms called Spirulina platensis. Another project by the same designer, BEL AIR utilizes plants to act as an air filtering system.
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  • urban_permaculture_kits.1210595536.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2008-05-12 12:32
  • by sanjeev