Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
defined economic or market forces. Given this, grass-roots changes to everyday living
might seem doomed to insignificance, and Manzini agrees that changes to an
individual's lifestyle choices, actions and behaviour will not in themselves alter the
urban physical and social forms. On the other hand, Manzini argues that any
transformation of a complex system requires that it is put under some tension from
within at the micro-scale as a preparation for wider systemic change. This is what
urban dwellers can do by changing their everyday habits, routines and actions. Things
can be done differently, new and old skills can be learned, and alternatives to 'business
as usual' can be sought out and developed. New practical pathways can be supported
and reinforced by the generation of new cosmopolitan ideas, business opportunities,
applied research and technological innovation. It is possible to learn from the diversity
within cities across the globe to produce a dynamic catalogue of new urban possibilities
- new scenarios for everyday living, new opportunities for communication, sustain-
ability projects and the diffusion of a new design culture. Manzini's initial research
led to seventy-two proposed scenarios, which together exhibit a number of common
traits and recurrent ideas:
•
Multiple aims
: Each proposal has more than one aim, representing an emerging
heterogeneity and a culture of complexity.
•
Local-global link
: Each proposal is open to communication flows between the
local and global and, although place-based, is not rooted in a nostalgic search
for a golden past.
•
Individual-community link
: Both individuals and communities are able to benefit
from and develop each proposal.
•
Ecology of time
: Each proposal will move at a different speed and rhythm,
creating islands of slowness within faster-paced city flows.
•
Enabling technology
: Each proposal accepts the potential role of technology,
but none posits technology as the sole or simple solution.
The scenarios emerge from a growing social consciousness and everyday sustainable
development practice. Based on actual innovations from countries across the world
- in China, Canada, Italy, India, the US and Japan - they include:
•
the extended home
, including a kitchen club, sauna network, net shopping service
and clothes-care service;
•
localized activities
, including neighbourhood office space, optimal management
and multifunction use of city work spaces, and combined telework and recrea-
tion areas;
•
alternative mobility
, including systems of local delivery services, use of light
vehicles and personalized public transport;
•
advanced natural food
, including the prevention of ill health through the
consumption of traditional food and eating seasonal fresh and local foods;
•
symbiotic nature
, including greenhouses, community gardens and allotments
allover the city and community eco-landscaping projects;
•
socio-bio-technological building construction
, including green roofs, communal
spa and bathing facilities, and efficient municipal water management; and
•
sustainable micro enterprises
, including small green businesses, 'fix it shops', etc.
