New Opportunities I believe that as designers we cannot accept as inevitable the . . . → Read More: Beyond Foreclosure: The Future of the Suburbia]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/beyond-foreclosure-the-future-of-the-suburbia/ In the 60′s “CLAPTON IS GOD” graffiti started showing up around London.  I’m sure if you’re wandering around Chicago, you will find graffiti paying homage “DAVIS IS GOD”.  But you asked yourself, “What the heck does that mean?” and dismissed it “Kids on drugs”.  Well, here’s the story.

See this kind, grandmotherly lady smiling . . . → Read More: A Rock Star in the Pantheon of Sustainability]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/a-rock-star-in-the-pantheon-of-sustainability/ Elisabet Sahtouris…I don’t know who this lady is, but I’ll bet there’s more pearls of wisdom where this comes from! Kill your enemy or feed your enemy…hmmmm… Tough choice, eh?

Elisabet Sahtouris Interview from StormCloud Media on Vimeo.

Freiberg Germany has a yearly contest as to who’s neighborhood can have the lowest energy . . . → Read More: When competition drives excellence]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/when-competition-drives-excellence/ Volunteers earn these Time Dollars by doing things for others, such as making them jewelry or baking them pound cake.

Edgar Cahn was lying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack, when the inspiration came through. He created timebank usa, and a tool for honoring everyone’s contribution has been established. Check . . . → Read More: Beyond Bartering-tapping into human ingenuity]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/beyond-bartering/ Growing the economy… sustainably. Conserving our way into a new economy.

In this video, Charles Eisenstein lays it out.What sounds totally illogical, that less is more, helps me think in new ways.  Values get turned on their head. Time bank anyone?

Charles Eisenstein Interview from StormCloud Media on Vimeo.

Hey, what’s . . . → Read More: Trading real adventures for online games & converting nature into goods, leaves us poorer]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/time-money/trading-real-adventures-for-online-games-converting-nature-into-goods-leaves-us-poorer/ The Great American Quest, ” life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” has led us to the mountain top, the shopping mall. We sat there in rapture, beaming and gleaming in the sunlight streaming into the food court, all the abundance of our bags full of awesome stuff. We filled our homes up with the awesome . . . → Read More: We are the ones we’re looking for]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/share-vision/we-are-the-ones-were-looking-for/ I’m looking for the 12 step program and enrolling the country.

A vibrant alive, great place to live gets “discovered”, the prices go thru the roof,  the locals get bought out, and the neighborhood ends up with hard working professionals, empty nesters, and second homes. Some would say this phenomena is a good thing. . . . → Read More: Real Estate has a suicidal tendency]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/real-estate-has-a-suicidal-tendency/ The intent is to give people the tools to redevelop their neighborhood sustainably. Here’s one way I see it playing out. (my take on the Chattanooga 2000 process).

1) All the citizens are invited to a “Make our City a Better Placeto Live” event ( “A more sustainable town”, etc).

2) The question is . . . → Read More: Chattanooga Vision 2000- an inspiring story of citizens transforming their world]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/indicators/jobs/chattanooga-vision-2000-an-inspiring-story-of-citizens-transforming-their-world/ This video brings clarity to the fundamental shift we are involved in…the kind of growth that leaves us living lightly on the planet. Join in! Slip into the nearest phone booth and reappear transformed into the stupendous steward you are. As for the current lack of phone booths, don’t let that small detail get . . . → Read More: Economics as if we live in a Sustainable Urban Village]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/economics-as-if-we-live-in-a-sustainable-urban-village/ Restorative justice programme Pollsmoor Prison Cape Town

I’ve heard the term “Restorative Justice” before.  Probably in the context of the community meetings held in South Africa to heal the wounds of apartheid.

I also once read a story about a tribe in the South Pacific, as I remember the story,  whose members look inside . . . → Read More: Restorative Justice-another sustainable safety net]]> http://www.beyondsuburbia.com/community-design/restorative-justice-another-sustainable-safety-net/