This just in from Peter Waskiewicz!  -cw

South East Ecological Design [S.E.E.D.] is proud to announce to a grassroots movement that will spread like wildflowers. A series of events that combine the teaching of ecological urban design with service learning opportunities to improve the quality of our lives, inspire cooperation and empower the sustainable future of our city.

The First Event:
September 9-10th, 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m
“Design and Installation of Public Spaces”
A two day introduction to urban Permaculture Design, will be held at the N.C. School of Holistic Herbalism, 1 Westwood Ave. West Asheville N.C. While learning the ethics and principles of Permaculture/Ecological design we will create a master plan for the Westwood/Waynesville intersection and the surrounding business and residences. Elements of the plan include a community health clinic/ resource center and teahouse. The Placement of edible, medicinal and sculpture gardens, benches, bike racks and a neighborhood information kiosk. The Re-design of the parking lot will support a farmers market, barter fair and increase public gathering space. We will also Re-design the street intersection to beautify slow traffic, creatively deal with storm water, and promote safer bicycle and pedestrian usage. The instructors of the event will be Chuck Marsh of Cultures Edge and Earthaven, Peter Waskiewicz of S.E.E.D. and Christopher Mello of gnomon arts. In an effort to make the workshop more accessible it is priced on a sliding scale of $65. to $120. Scholarships will also be available for work trade and interns. Saturday and Sunday starting at 3:30 the event will be free and open to the public beginning with Service projects [installing elements of the new design], then, form strategy committees/ networking tabling by local non profits and businesses. Saturday at 7:00 will be a potluck, community celebration and open mic rant. Sunday at 6:30 will be the first meeting of the W.N.C. Permaculture Designers Guild. We ask that you walk or ride your bike if possible, bring your own table service and lunches. Please leave the dogs at home. Contact: peterwask@hotmail.com

Kerry shares with us by email today the wonderful website for the Project for Public Spaces, which connects to the Beauty and Ashevillage Building Convergence ideas.  Note the Great Cities Initiative link on the PPS homepage & the emphasis on Christopher Alexander’s work (Check it out, Elizabeth!).

Thanks Kerry!  ~ Chris

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

Ashevillage Building Convergence

Champion:  Janell Kapoor

Interested People:

Future Action:

• Identifying guiding principles
• *** Identify organizing committee
• Develop business plan/proposal
• Develop presentation
• Brainstorm sites, resources, people, venues, organizations
• Develop outreach/PR/communications
• Identify action committees (ie:  donations committee, PR committee, project Center, etc.

Next Steps:

• Core organizing committee meetings in July, August, September
• Janell will talk & consult with Portland City Repair
• Identify big stakeholders and plan to meet with them

Resources Required:

• Funding / fundraisers
• Volunteers
• In-kind contributers/sponsors
• CPA
• Lawyer
• Organizing committee
• Key stake-holders