Creating sustainable urban landscapes in light of growing population pressures requires interdisciplinary multi-functional solutions. Alternative agro-ecosystems described as food forests, permaculture gardens, and/or edible landscapes among others could offer potential ways to address the social, economic and ecological goals of various stakeholders simultaneously. The present research used a unique rubric, the Permaculture and Agro-ecosystems Sustainability Scorecard (PASS) that combines existing agricultural and landscape sustainability indicators in order to assess alternative agro-ecosystems. The rubric evaluates provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services such as pollinator presence, biodiversity, pesticides and fertilizer use, carbon sequestration and human interactions. The PASS was used to score twelve sites in South Florida that meet specific criteria in the small farm, residential and public space categories. The results showed that the majority of the sites scored highest in the supporting services provided, followed by regulating and cultural services and lowest in the economic services category.

The diploma thesis examines the influence of the Laudato si' encyclical on the life and pastoral care of the Chemin Neuf Community. The thesis consists of three chapters. In the initial part of the content, the encyclical is studied as for its structure, fundamental topics and principles (three of them are further analysed in Chapter 3). In the second chapter, the Chemin Neuf Community is introduced. This part of the thesis deals not only with the historical context of the Community formation, but also with its spirituality, vocation and emphasis on ministration. The author also offers a diachronic view on the Community's response to different social and environmental topics communicated in Laudato si' both before and after the encyclical was published. Chapter 3 gives an analysis of certain selected principles contained in the encyclical with special impact on the life and pastoral care of the Chemin Neuf Community. Specifically, it describes the influence of these principles on the Community's work for Christian unity, parish ministration and formation of novices.

This research investigates the potential of digital platforms to broaden the scope of action and empower permaculture communities in their attempt to challenge the capitalist mode of production regarding topics such as food harvesting and consumption patterns. It draws on Manzini’s (2018) critique of neoliberalism and his discussion on designing for social innovation, which suggests focusing on and enhancing existing members' capabilities rather than their needs; fostering cross-collaboration within and among communities; and allowing these collaborations to mature over time. It combines design thinking and co-design to develop further a previously existing proof of concept of a mapping platform that connects permaculture initiatives in Brazil. When it was created in 2018, this platform was tested by potential users who underscored severe usability limitations, and as a result, it was never fully implemented. This thesis discusses such limitations and proposes an improved platform to empower those communities by fostering collaboration beyond individuals and local groups towards regional communities.

This diploma thesis is a descriptive case study of permaculture oriented families and individuals in the Czech Republic, who are aiming for food self-sufficiency. The goal is to describe the lifestyle of self-supplying food producers, their strive for permacultural principles of sustainable development and the making of agricultural systems. The main focus is on describing the economical and material background of households, their strategies and practices for achieving food self-sufficiency, and motivation and difficulties related to this matter. Data were collected by observing and interviewing 8 permaculture households.

No description available.

The paper reports on a study of how urban gardening can be implemented in the urban planning for the area, how urban gardening can be used as a tool for a more sustainable city, as well as to understand the role of cafes in encouraging the residents of the Stockholm, both directly and indirectly, to engage in sustainable consumption practices. This project will look at how urban gardening tools can be used within Stockholm to increase sustainable consumption practices. The final outcome, of which, will be a mobile herb garden that travels to different cafes in urban areas of Stockholm, with suggestions as to what could be included in the area to maximize the environmental and economical benefits. Through participatory design approach a range of urban gardening practices has been included in the suggested plans including mobile gardens, community gardens, and growing local foods to maximize the benefits for both the residents and the planet. As a designer and discerning consumers I tried to start to look beyond the pure surface in this project and reveal the potential of urbanization especially by looking closer at “what is” in this case, the impact of cafes can play on encouraging citizens to sustainable consumption and that can be shared as surplus in an urban area in central Stockholm which can be prototyped and be read as a case study to “ what if “.

This diploma thesis is a descriptive case study of permaculture oriented families and individuals in the Czech Republic, who are aiming for food self-sufficiency. The goal is to describe the lifestyle of self- supplying food producers, their strive for permacultural principles of sustainable development and the making of agricultural systems. Data were collected by observing and interviewing 8 households, analysing relevant literature and other data resources that were autonomously provided by informants. The main focus is on describing the economical and material background of households, their strategies and practices for achieving food self-sufficiency, and motivation and difficulties related to this matter. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Inadequate rural housing, poor sanitation, resource scarcity, lack of adequate income and a general substandard level of living, forces a mass migration from rural areas into overtaxed urban centers in Egypt. Unable to sustain their families on increasingly smaller and less productive agricultural plots of land, families migrate to the cities in search of a better quality of life, economic opportunity, and services that are not present in current rural environments. The proposed project is an architectural proposal that seeks to resolve the deficiencies in rural environments to stem the tide of migration to urban cities through the introduction of a technical training school that focuses on building the agricultural industry in rural Egypt through the introduction of sustainable practices underpinned with appropriate digital tools. / Master of Architecture / The underserved rural areas of Egypt that include inadequate housing, lack of proper sanitation, limited resources, low income, and overall substandard lifestyle, are driving a large number of people to leave their rural homes and move to overcrowded cities. As their agricultural land becomes smaller and less productive, families are forced to migrate to urban centers in search of a better life, economic opportunities, and access to services that are lacking in rural areas. The proposed project aims to address these issues by introducing a technical training school in rural Egypt. This school will focus on improving the agricultural industry through sustainable practices supported by digital tools. The goal is to tackle the deficiencies in rural environments and reduce the flow of migration to urban cities.

For a more equal, just, and sustainable society to emerge, much of the human population will have to change some of its paradigms and consequently behaviour in one way or another.  While part of society will need to learn how to live without unsustainable conveniences and control unconscious consumption, others will need to adapt their capabilities to deal with the effects of climate change. The urgency of the current environmental and humanitarian crises combined are forcing society to explore alternative solutions to such problems.  Some post-development scholars and agencies are also looking at the role of grassroots movements, such as degrowth, self-sufficiency and permaculture, to replace obsolete practices. This research is based on these post-development thoughts which, among other things, argues that less consumption in the industrialised world, facilitated by grassroots local actions, and learning from the epistemology of the South, is more effective in addressing inequalities and contribute to beneficial change in the world than traditional practices. This thesis examined who is part of the ‘grow your own’ community, how it is practiced, motivations and the impact growing your own food can have.  It also attempted to analyse the promotion of ‘grow your own’ as a contributor to tackle the excessive consumerism of the more affluent as well as a contributor to improve food security for the more deprived, in both, the Global South and North. The main methodology used to collect primary quantitative and qualitative data was surveys.  The data was analysed via a mixed approach, mainly using descriptive statistics and content analysis. This study found that most growers were based in the UK and above 50 years old.  The most popular produce were fruits, herbs, and tomatoes.  The main motivations to grow were, to buy less from shops, save money and eat more seasonal, local and organic food.  The main practice dissemination was word of mouth with some use of social media.  This research found that a local authority intervention in providing free plants to community groups in Bristol had a huge impact and the scheme expanded 66% over three years.

No description available.