“Climate Changes Cities- recycle waste, grow food, save water”
- KICS Sharing Session on Urban Agriculture in Mumbai 8th August 2008
Ajay Nayak Managing editor, Indian Architect & Builder Magazine moderated the programme. Opening remarks Audio
Snehalata Shrikhande shared her experience of doing Urban Agriculture and composting. She explained how we can use of waste in the house, and convert it to food in the urban situation. She also highlighted the therapeutic and educational aspects of this activity in the city context. Full Audio with Slides
Bharat Mansata who recently wrote a book “Organic Revolution” highlighted how Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union, were short of food, and how every little space in the city, was used to grow food, and that too without the use of chemical inputs which had been blockaded. More importantly, he stressed how urban communities shared the food grown, with urban poor. Full Audio with Slides
Preeti Patil made a presentation of her effort on terrace garden at Mumbai Port Trust with the employees of the central kitchen. She shared some of her learnings on issues like pests, compaction of soil, her efforts at getting street children from the neighbourhood involved. Full Audio with Slides
Valerie Fernando, an intern from RITIMO at CED made a presentation on permeable pavers. She highlighted how societies in Mumbai were paving their compounds and reducing the seepage of storm water into the ground, forcing the water down to low lying areas causing flooding. She also spoke of how this water could be harvested. Full Text, Audio & Slides
Bharat Mansata who recently wrote a book “Organic Revolution” highlighted how Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union, were short of food, and how every little space in the city, was used to grow food, and that too without the use of chemical inputs which had been blockaded. More importantly, he stressed how urban communities shared the food grown, with urban poor. Full Audio with Slides
Preeti Patil made a presentation of her effort on terrace garden at Mumbai Port Trust with the employees of the central kitchen. She shared some of her learnings on issues like pests, compaction of soil, her efforts at getting street children from the neighbourhood involved. Full Audio with Slides
Valerie Fernando, an intern from RITIMO at CED made a presentation on permeable pavers. She highlighted how societies in Mumbai were paving their compounds and reducing the seepage of storm water into the ground, forcing the water down to low lying areas causing flooding. She also spoke of how this water could be harvested. Full Text, Audio & Slides
IN the discussion, participants shared some details about how to compost, deal with pests’ etc.
Participants felt that despite workshops on urban agriculture and a mailing list, the practice of Urban Agriculture has not become popular. They suggested having a sub-group in KICS on Urban Agriculture where we meet more regularly. In this connection, they suggested a site visit to the Urban Garden at Mumbai Port Trust. Some others felt that we could have a short three-hour workshop to share techniques of dealing with pests, as well as composting in small scale at home - perhaps in October or November. They also suggested a visit to Van-Vani, Karjat
A professor of architecture said that the conventional studies and curriculum of present day architecture does not include such innovations and practical ideas. She felt that she could now include it, and draws on the resources of practitioners for this.
Closing Comments by the Chair.
Walter Mendoza : On KICS.
Annexures:
