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What are the Implications
of using Ecological Infrastructure?

Relying on living systems and natural processes to support us does require some changes to the way we structure our lives.
The most profound implication, perhaps, is that ecological infrastructure requires participation. Most of our present mechanical systems are dealt with by flipping a switch, turning a faucet knob, or flushing a toilet and then paying a utility bill at the end of the month. We have little interaction with these systems, little understanding of how they really work, and little control over them. By contrast, infrastructure such as water collection, waste treatment, and food production which are modelled on ecological processes are best dealt with at the individual building or neighbourhood scale. Since these systems are located close to the people who depend on them, these people will interact with them to an extent which most of us are presently unaccustomed to in our society. This will require a few changes. First of all, people who use these systems will have to understand how they work and what is necessary for them to be properly maintained. This will mean some basic individual and community education (link to Education for an Eco-Neighbourhood). The systems themselves will also become teachers. As people begin to actively interact with these support systems, people will learn about basic ecological processes such as the hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycling, and energy flows. This learning will enable people to become better stewards of the places they live and more capable advocates for environmental protection in general. Second, for those systems that operate at a neighbourhood scale, some sort of organizational network will need to be in place that allows for the appropriate sharing of a common resource. Such a scenario implies the opportunity for social connections to evolve around activities like neighbourhood gardening. Active participation in ecological infrastructure also means that people are given more direct control over their lives and are less subject to the whims of others. This also begins to suggest a spiritual dimension to the participatory elements mentioned above. With traditional mechanical infrastructure, the average user is insignificant to the system; whether they are there or not makes no difference. With ecological infrastructure, however, there is a symbiotic relationship between the systems and the users; the user is necessary and therefor has an important role play in a vital living system; the user has a place in the world. Feeling like we have a place in the world may be reason enough to bring ecology more fully into our lives; all the other benefits are simply icing on the cake!

Pictures from Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett

Further reading about ecological design
• Michael Reynolds, Earthships: Volume 1, (Solar Survival Press; Taos, New Mexico, 1990).
• Nancy Jack Todd & John Todd, From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design, (North Atlantic Books; Berkeley, 1994).
• Sim Van der Ryn & Stuart Cowan, Ecological Design, (Island Press; Washington, DC, 1996).
• David Pearson, The Natural House Book: Creating a Healthy, Harmonious, and Ecologically Sound Home Environment, (Simon and Schuster; New York, 1989).
• David Pearson, Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture, (Gaia Books Limited; London, 1994).
• Sydney & Joan Baggs, The Healthy House: Creating a Safe, Healthy, and Environmentally Friendly Home, (Harper Collins Publishers; Sydney, 1996).
• Farallones Institute staff et.al, The Integral Urban House: Self Reliant Living in the City (Sierra Club Books; San Francisco, 1979).
Links
• Ecological Design links
http://www.ecodesign.org/edi/
http://www.ecodesign.bc.ca/
http://www.west.net/~prince/
http://home.earthlink.net/~jluke313/

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What are the Implications of using Ecological Infrastructure?

Relying on living systems and natural processes to support us does require some changes to the way we structure our lives. The most profound implication, perhaps, is that ecological infrastructure requires participation. Most of our present mechanical systems are dealt with by flipping a switch, turning a faucet knob, or flushing a toilet and then paying a utility bill at the end of the month. We have little interaction with these systems, little understanding of how they really work, and little control over them. By contrast, infrastructure such as water collection, waste treatment, and food production which are modelled on ecological processes are best dealt with at the individual building or neighbourhood scale. Since these systems are located close to the people who depend on them, these people will interact with them to an extent which most of us are presently unaccustomed to in our society. This will require a few changes. First of all, people who use these systems will have to understand how they work and what is necessary for them to be properly maintained. This will mean some basic individual and community education (link to Education for an Eco-Neighbourhood). The systems themselves will also become teachers. As people begin to actively interact with these support systems, people will learn about basic ecological processes such as the hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycling, and energy flows. This learning will enable people to become better stewards of the places they live and more capable advocates for environmental protection in general. Second, for those systems that operate at a neighbourhood scale, some sort of organizational network will need to be in place that allows for the appropriate sharing of a common resource. Such a scenario implies the opportunity for social connections to evolve around activities like neighbourhood gardening. Active participation in ecological infrastructure also means that people are given more direct control over their lives and are less subject to the whims of others. This also begins to suggest a spiritual dimension to the participatory elements mentioned above. With traditional mechanical infrastructure, the average user is insignificant to the system; whether they are there or not makes no difference. With ecological infrastructure, however, there is a symbiotic relationship between the systems and the users; the user is necessary and therefor has an important role play in a vital living system; the user has a place in the world. Feeling like we have a place in the world may be reason enough to bring ecology more fully into our lives; all the other benefits are simply icing on the cake!	Pictures from Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett
Further reading about ecological design • Michael Reynolds, Earthships: Volume 1, (Solar Survival Press; Taos, New Mexico, 1990). • Nancy Jack Todd & John Todd, From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design, (North Atlantic Books; Berkeley, 1994). • Sim Van der Ryn & Stuart Cowan, Ecological Design, (Island Press; Washington, DC, 1996). • David Pearson, The Natural House Book: Creating a Healthy, Harmonious, and Ecologically Sound Home Environment, (Simon and Schuster; New York, 1989). • David Pearson, Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture, (Gaia Books Limited; London, 1994). • Sydney & Joan Baggs, The Healthy House: Creating a Safe, Healthy, and Environmentally Friendly Home, (Harper Collins Publishers; Sydney, 1996). • Farallones Institute staff et.al, The Integral Urban House: Self Reliant Living in the City (Sierra Club Books; San Francisco, 1979). Links • Ecological Design links http://www.ecodesign.org/edi/ http://www.ecodesign.bc.ca/ http://www.west.net/~prince/ http://home.earthlink.net/~jluke313/ Next Page