Chapter 4. Urban and community permaculture

Permaculture is as important for cities and urban areas as it is for farms and rural areas. Cities must become more self-sustaining, less polluting and be powered by renewable energy. They must also become more community focused, produce more food and have higher numbers of trees and more vegetation. Permaculture strategies and techniques can be used to achieve these goals. As cities grow, it is vital to have strategic designs for towns and urban areas to enable people to achieve a healthy, sustainable, good quality life.

Providing the tools for communities to be strong and resilient is a vital part of permaculture practice and for society moving forward, and local vibrant economies are an important part of that.

Contents include:

• Urban and community permaculture
• Elements of urban and community life
  – Urban and community design
  – Building design
  – Water collection, storage, use and reuse
  – Energy creation and use
  – Transport
  – Urban food production
  – Community centres
  – Small businesses and cooperatives
  – Urban environment and ecology
• Strong community
  – Food Sovereignty
  – Transition towns
  – Community growth, inclusion and conflict resolution
• Local economy
  – Local currency