Steve Whitman, AICP, and Sharon Ferguson discuss what planners need to know about Permaculture, a holistic, integrated system analysis and design tool that very few planners are using.
Offering "a pathway to a positive transition beyond sustainability to resilient communities," the authors argue, "Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that are modeled on the relationships found in natural ecologies."
Differing from sustainable community planning efforts in that Permaculture, "seeks to integrate the proposed sustainable elements (e.g., water catchment, renewable energy, district heating, food growing, waste recycling, transportation, etc.) into a whole system that operates efficiently so that the number of inputs are minimized but outputs attained are maximized," write Whitman and Ferguson, "The goal is to create an ecosystem that provides as many useful products and functions out of the system as the designer's abilities allow while healing the planet."
In this article, Whitman and Ferguson spotlight four examples that "illustrate the range of applying permaculture tools and strategies."
Thanks to Sharon Ferguson
FULL STORY: Taking the Permaculture Path to Community Resilience
For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits
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Cohousing as a Solution to High Housing Costs and Social Isolation
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Washington State Legislates Statewide Cohousing Development
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Cuomo Is the Candidate of Both NIMBYs and Developers. What Gives?
In the New York City mayoral race, odd bedfellows align to preserve the housing status quo.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont