500 Years in the Future / Plans for a Sustainable Island Development

For this project, I'm working again w/Elsie and Eduardo. The plan is to design a sustainable island development. I'm starting by focusing on how many people can live entirely off this amount of land (6 square miles, almost 4000 square feet). This is a vegan community and we are tasked with recuiting families to live here. There is no money in this time, so we are not trying to sell the homes. The residents will not have jobs that they have to go to, but will instead have the job of maintaining the island's various components: the energy island, earth ships, gardens, green roofs, community spaces, farms, green houses, ships, etc.

Facts:

1/8 of an acre needed per person to live off the land
co2 neutral

Water:

Rainwater
Desalinization
Wells

Research:

Features of the roof is that it can absorb rain water that can be purified and reused as household water.



http://www.archicentral.com/new-heden-gothenburg-sweden-kjellgren-kaminsky-architects-7271/#more-7271

We have dedicated our research to rediscovering the scientific principles that underlie millennia-old traditional farming systems. These have guided us to the eight essential aspects that are the foundation of GROW BIOINTENSIVE:

• Double-Dug, Raised Beds
• Composting
• Intensive Planting
• Companion Planting
• Carbon Farming
• Calorie Farming
• The Use of Open-Pollinated Seeds
• A Whole-System Farming Method

Most life in nature occurs at the interface of soil, water, air and sun. GROW BIOINTENSIVE soil preparation practices create growing beds with more surface area to maximize the effect of nature’s life processes. Double-dug beds, with soil loosened to a depth of 24 inches, aerate the soil, facilitate root growth, and improve water retention. The health and vigor of the soil are maintained through the use of compost. Close plant spacing is used to protect soil microorganisms, reduce water loss, andmaximize yields. Companion planting facilitates the optimal use of nutrients, light and water, encourages beneficial insects and creates a vibrant mini-ecosystem within the garden. A focus on the production of calories for the farmer and carbon for the soil ensures that both the farmer and the soil will be adequately fed and that the farm will be sustainable. The use of open-pollinated seeds helps to preserve genetic diversity
and enables gardeners to develop their own acclimatized cultivars. All of the components of this system must be used together for optimum effect and to avoid depleting the soil.

GROW BIOINTENSIVE mini-farming techniques make it possible to grow food using:

• 67% to 88% less water
• 50% to 100% less fertilizer
• 99% less energy than commercial agriculture, while using a fraction of the
  resources.

These techniques can also:

• Produce 2 to 6 times more food
• Build the soil up to 60 times faster than in nature, if properly used
• Reduce by half or more the amount of land needed

http://www.growbiointensive.org/grow_main.html

Enviromental sustainability is also reached through an objective of low energy and CO2 neutral operation of the city's houses.

With state-of-the-art knowledge in sociology, architecture, art and engineering - the vision for a future city is created.

Social sustainability will support the creation of a strong and diverse city driven by verve, the diversity of experiences and meetings between cultures. The social sustainability is to be found in the diverse city where the cultural buildings and spaces, offices, kindergartens, shops and homes coexist. The diversity of housing posibilities is maximized and different ownership is aimed at different target groups. The green city and the healthy city are further themes in the social sustainability subject.
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/copenhagen/carlsberg_masterplan.htm

For self sufficient gardening at its best, you should grow a large variety of vegetables, including potatoes, legumes (all members of the pea and bean family), brassicas (all members of the cabbage family) and root vegetables, including carrots, beets, and parsnips, as well as salad items, such as tomatoes and onions.

You should rotate your crops every year to keep them from getting overrun by disease and pests. Seymour also recommends using a cold frame in the winter months, to lengthen your growing season.

In addition to vegetables, you should make room for the soft fruits, such as raspberries, blackberries and grapes. Grapes are a climbing plant that can grow in narrow areas, such as along a fence. And finally, plant a couple of apple trees, along with other fruit trees, such as pear, peach and cherry. Fruit trees are a long-term investment - you won't see instant results, but in the years ahead, you'll reap the benefit of an ever-increasing crop of fruit.
http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com/self-sufficient-gardening.html

Planting herbs:
http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com/herb-garden-plants.html