Why Social Urbanism Matters for Sharing Cities
So often we see cities as a stage upon which we can rehearse ideas of technology, economics, and placemaking, yet we usually forget to consider what I call a social urbanism.
Act: Inspiration
Badgersett: Bringing Woody Agriculture into the Mainstream
With roots going back to 1978, Badgersett Research Corporation works on bringing "Woody Agriculture" into the mainstream world of full scale staple food production.
How to bring life to vacant lots
“Any successful community space must be co-developed by the residents as it will be them who voluntarily manage it and make it successful.”
Another village is possible
Do you ever wonder what a town based on the principles of solidarity, cooperation and autonomy might look like? Marinaleda, Spain offers a taste…
Fresh and Fly: Denver Rapper Teaches Kids to Be Gardeners Not Gangstas
I believe that whatever you consume, whether it’s food or music, you should do it consciously.
Solar Coin – a crypto currency designed to stimulate solar energy production
Solar Coin is a crypto currency specifically intended to stimulate solar energy production.
Toward a Material Commons
How can we create socially oriented companies without the start-up capital to fund them? Is there a model that will allow us to make a living, produce goods and services and even compete with the dominant hegemony?
Medieval Spanish ghost town now self-sufficient ecovillage
“It’s a utopian fantasy- discover a ghost town and rebuild it in line with your ideals-, but in Spain where there are nearly 3000 abandoned villages (most dating back to the Middle Ages), some big dreamers have spent the past 3 decades doing just that.
How our narratives inform our hopes for change
When co-founder of the Permaculture Movement David Holmgren recently suggested it might be better for the world if we were to try to precipitate global economic collapse in order to mitigate runaway climate change, he received a harsh response from Transition Movement founder Rob Hopkins, and somewhat more sympathetic responses from Dmitry Orlov and Nicole Foss. The second article (due out next month) in my series for Shift Magazine will talk more about this, but in the meantime I wanted to recommend to you Agency on Demand, a fascinating take on this debate, written by Eric Lindberg.
Come on Home!: Ecological Agriculture and Sixteen Wonderful Farms that Point the Way
This essay uses over a dozen working farms across the country (& a few other countries) to illustrate some of the key principles of the ecologically-based agriculture that will be required in the transition ahead. …The next steps are up to you, kid.
Drought forces tough decisions
Ranchers, who require green pasture to feed their livestock, have been among the hardest hit by the lack of rain this winter.
Cooperative Movement Should Embrace Discussion of Systemic Issues
Andrew McLeod recently wrote an excellent and thoughtful response to my article (with Gar Alperovitz) on Mondragón and issues of systemic design. In an effort to continue the constructive dialogue around this important topic, I offer this rejoinder.
