For more wonder, rewild the world - George Monbiot

Link to the LECTURE: http://www.ted.com/talks/george_monbiot_for_more_wonder_rewild_the_world

For more wonder, rewild the world very interesting lecture by George Monbiot

This lecture reminds me about Dana Biosphere Reserve; Jordan largest nature reserve. This project was founded in1989 (310 square KM) , This project was created to preserve history, and nature, and to try to save the endangered species in Jordan. The area of the project consists of many different kind of native plants and endangered species (very diverse). Later on people in Jordan decided to create different project for Rewilding For example we have the Mujib Nature Reserve it’s located near the Dead Sea Area, and the Azraq wetland Reserve. Those projects have another value Universities and Schools started to use them for educational purposes. Attached is the map for the main 6 projects that were created for Rewilding in Jordan. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDUCK_LvaYo  : Jordan- Dana Biosphere Reserve 

Scout Island Strategic Plan

Scout Island Strategic Plan

      Scout Island Strategic Plan is another project that was designed Mossop and Michaels, a 62-acre site located within New Orleans City Park. In 2005 hurricane Katrina made a big damage to the site, 50% of the trees were killed and devastated the forest. The entire land was flooded to a depth of 6’. Also, the hurricane destroyed the ground level vegetation.

Figure 1: Scout Island is a 62-acre site located within New Orleans City Park. The site has served as a wild area within the park and it remains a little known treasure. Free from overt maintenance, it’s a place where the checks and balances of a natural ecosystem were allowed to operate without reference. (Photo:  Spackman Mossop + Michaels) (ASLA.org)

Figure 2: Hurricane Katrina severely damaged Scout Island in August, 2005. Scout Island was under 6’ of water, destroying 50% of its vegetation and displacing many animal species that relied on it. Today, it is still rare to see many species that once inhabited the forest. (Photo: Spackman Mossop + Michaels)(ASLA.org)

Figure 3: Section through cypress swamp. Because of the salinity of the water on site, the Cypress Swamp was designed to use water falling on the site. (Photo: Spackman Mossop + Michaels) (ASLA.org)

Figure 4: Section through Entry Bridge. The establishment of new ecosystems focuses on re-creating a multi-storied canopy. (Photo: Spackman Mossop + Michaels)(ASLA.org)

Figure 5:  pathways. A series of new interpretive trails will be established on site that are durable and respond to specific site conditions. Tails will lead visitors through the forest and prompt visitors to continually observe their surroundings as they are lead through different ecosystems. (Photo: Spackman Mossop + Michaels) ( ASLA.org)

Viet Village Urban Farm

     The first project is Viet Village Urban Farm is designed by Spackman, Mossap, and Michaels  “an urban farming project located in New Orleans East, an area hard hit by Hurricane Katrina”(ASLA.org). This project contains community gardens, an area for composting, commercial farming plots, recycling center and most important part is a major water collection and management system. The project will accommodates 3000 Saturday shoppers who used to buy foods before hurricane Katrina Hit (Spackman, Mossop, and Michaels).

 

      The project implementation was divided into five phases. The first phase if the project includes the construction of the central reservoir to sustainably irrigate the fields. The second phase is the implementation of the major circulation elements and the service road. The third phase includes planting and vegetation for shade, productivity and identity. The fourth phase the construction of the commercial plots and community gardens. The last phase is the development of the farmers market.  

Figure 1: Viet Village Urban Farm, New Orleans, LA. Image credit: Spackman Mossop + Michaels

The new farm will use sustainable irrigation techniques that require little or no electricity to pump and filter water used in the fields. Figure 3 shows “A cross-section for the farm plots, paths and sustainable irrigation system. Water is pumped to the fields from a centralized reservoir via a windmill and water tower system powered by electrical pumps. The water then flows into a bioswale — a system designed to naturally filter the water through soil and plants as it heads back towards the reservoir for reuse.” (ASLA.org)

According to ASLA those are the environmental benefits for this project (ASLA.org):

• Circulates Water
• Cleans Water
• Conserves Water
• Creates Urban Farm
• Ecologically Manages Stormwater
• Reduces Urban Heat
• Removes Toxic Chemicals
• Restores Soils
• Sequesters Carbon
• Solar Powered

Project 1 - sculpture garden , Pelahatchie, MS

Today in sharing with you a sketch that I did for my first project in Pelahatchie, MS... An entrance for a sculpture garden in the downtown...

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho is one of the most famous writers around the world. I currently read The Alchemist by him to know the reason behind why a lot of people liked him. I was amazed by the natural powers that he has discussed throughout the whole novel. In addition to the journey that young Santiago took in order to not only find the treasure but also to find himself.

Even though I haven't read any other books by Pauli Coelho, I can tell that he is an inspirational person. I'm impressed with the idea of the journey versus the destination. Which one is important? By far I believe that the journey is much more important. Through it any person can change the destination and sometimes when someone is so focused in the future, they won't enjoy the journey.

Manufactured Landscapes

Last week I watched 2 interesting documentaries. The first one is "Manufactured Landscapes " A film by Jennifer Baichwal. The film talks about the about the works of a Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky... At the beginning of the movie I thought that it's going to be boring... For 10 minutes the director show different kind of activites in a factory... But after that I was shocked... It was very interesting to see how human deconstructing the natural landscapes... How in china they removed a whole city to build a dam... On another hand, to see how people in Bangladesh was working on a ship that was used to recycle it... There is many interesting images "slide show" that you can see while watching the movie...

Go and watch the movie... You are going to be shocked ...

Source: http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0832903/

The Green Revolution...

I would like to share with you what I did last week for my LA Grad Studio...

The Green Revolution... Landscape Architecture as an Art for Survival...