retrosuburbia
via michel bauwens thread tweet [https://x.com/regenavocado/status/1830139041188061246]:
The industrial revolution moved everyone out of the countryside into cities. China moved a billion people into cities in the few decades. Largest human migration ever. Decentralizing humans back to the ecosystems that need regenerating is the work of the bioregional developer.
or rather.. if we have (and we do) means for global detox (nonjudgmental expo labeling to undo hierarchical listening to self/others/nature) ..work of all of us
holmgren indigenous law: we all need to become indigenous’ – david holmgren
and @regenavocado reply [https://x.com/regenavocado/status/1830186781708358009]:
Yes that’s what I meant by every regen is a hub. Did you ever get into this? [https://retrosuburbia.com/]
notes/quotes from site:
RetroSuburbia is *part manual and part manifesto..t The book **shows how Australian suburbs can be transformed to become productive and resilient in an energy descent future..t It focuses on what can be done by an individual at the ***household level..t (rather than community or government levels).
*to me.. red flag we’re doing it/life wrong.. manual ness and manifesto ness as ie of people telling other people what to do..
**perhaps we don’t need to be shown how.. we need spaces of permission where people have nothing to prove so we can see/hear/be what is already on each heart .. this is the unconditional part of left to own devices ness we keep missing.. because we keep not letting go enough to see the dance (‘in undisturbed ecosystem ..the avg individual.. left to its own devices.. behaves in ways that serve/stabilize the whole’ –dana meadows)
perhaps (graeber model law) show how to facil the chaos of people doing whatever for a year.. but if show how to actually do things and what things to do.. won’t get to the left to own devices ness of the dance..
***econ (household level) we need: oikos (the economy our souls crave).. ‘i should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.’ – gaston bachelard, the poetics of space
RetroSuburbia is a source of inspiration, introducing concepts and *outlining patterns and practical solutions. It empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. As with **David’s previous work, it is thought provoking and provocative.
*rather.. it tells people how to.. so may be/seem better.. but won’t get to the legit dance
**book is by david holmgren.. but again.. to me.. won’t become indigenous by train/prep.. rather by listening to what is already on each heart
If you are already on the path of downshifting and living simply, exploring RetroSuburbia will be a confirmation and celebration that you are on the right track and *guide you on the next steps forward. If you are just beginning this journey, it provides a guide to the **diversity of options and helps work out priorities for action. For people concerned about making ends meet in more challenging times, RetroSuburbia provides a new lens for creatively sidestepping the obstacles.
*same song as supposed to’s of school/work
**finite set of choices of decision making is unmooring us
The book outlines options available to retrofitters in three ‘fields’ – the Built, Biological and Behavioural – along with speculation on the future and philosophical musings. Throughout the book, examples from David’s ‘Aussie St’ story and real life case studies support and enhance the main content. RetroSuburbia can be read as a whole, cover to cover, or can be dipped into according to your interests.
It is self-published through Melliodora Publishing – in itself an expression of the values and processes espoused in the book. It is directly marketed to the public through the networks that bypass the monopolistic online conglomerates.
RetroSuburbia is almost 600 pages in full colour with 556 photos and over 100 watercolour illustrations from permaculture illustrator Brenna Quinlan.
These case studies illustrate a range of retrosuburban patterns and strategies across the Built, Biological and Behavioural fields of action.
It you would like us to showcase your house, please submit your case study to be considered for publishing here.
Please note
- Each case study has a self assessed Resilience Sun rating that evaluates the property (but not the people!) using the Retrosuburban Real Estate Checklist.
- The energy, water and resource consumption figures in some case studies may be higher than those of average households that outsource more of their consumption *while at work, school and play away from home.
legit freedom will only happen if it’s all of us.. and in order to be all of us.. has to be sans any form of measuring, accounting, people telling other people what to do (ie: rating, figures, et al.. *and note figures here from whales in sea world)
then links to 5 min video that is a flip thru of the book [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDgYlTbXfzc].. which appears to be a how to (build regen gardens, houses, etc).. with case studies et al
to me.. won’t become indigenous thru reading a book.. you just become (perhaps) what some people are telling other people what to do.. totally missing the unconditional part of left to own devices ness
legit freedom will only happen if it’s all of us.. and in order to be all of us.. has to be sans any form of measuring, accounting, people telling other people what to do
again.. how we gather in a space is huge.. need spaces of permission where people have nothing to prove to facil curiosity over decision making.. over training.. over prepping.. because the finite set of choices of decision making is unmooring us.. (and in how to books et al) .. is keeping us from us..
ie: whatever for a year.. a legit sabbatical ish transition
there’s a legit use of tech (nonjudgmental exponential labeling) to facil the seeming chaos of a global detox leap/dance.. the unconditional part of left-to-own-devices ness.. for (blank)’s sake.. and we’re missing it
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be you. 