Report #11:
Name of Topic: Asheville Building Convergance: an annual city sustainability event
Name of Leader: Janelle kapoor
Names of Participants: Marston Blow, Deb Cochran, Sage…, Mary.. Cathy… Michael, Gayatri Rainer, Christina Nelson, Elizabeth Buneh, Brett mcCall
Previous story regarding this topic if there is one: “city repair” in Portland Oregon organized a 10 day hands on event based around putting the city back into the hands of locals through sustainable, beautiful and functional landscapes - natural building techniques (cob abus stops) permaculture(living roofs) water catchment systems, murals in intersections…l.
Basically the people and neighbourhoods reclaiming and beautifying their space. Different projects worked on each day with a big dinner and talk each night. Organized well in advance, food donated and acknowledged, speakers brought in…..
Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):
Janelle wants to start this here for 2008, mainly in dowtown area
First project whould be nice looking, appeallin, creative and functional. Not too funky or weird.
Racial diversity and equally a priotity, asking neighborhooods what THEY want, getting them to be a part of it.
Jubilee “earth team” can help, they want jubilee to bea showcase building and is centgered downtown.
Mary- center of possibilities next to earth fare, is becoming community space
Janelle – there is a green space next to the ball park that is city owned that neighbors are organizing a garden space or something for next summer
This will be a well planned and well funded venture yet non commercial, also well documented
Future Action/Next Steps:
Attractive creative kiosks/information/bustops downtown, multi purpose with living roof, edible surroundings natural builiding….
Resources Required (who should be involved, finances, non-paid labour, other):
Neighbors, local people involved both in planning and implementing
City Repair has created a placemaking guide, a guidebook, recource book
Restaurants/sponsors who are well thanked
Speakers
Grassroots neighborhood empowerment
