Feb 09

Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction

Biomimicry, Dynamical Systems, Principles, Sustainability 1 Comment »

Complex Adaptive Systems involve a multitude of interactions/interconnections among numerous component parts in which ‘control’ is highly decentralized, and the coherent behaviour (patterns) arising from the interactions (competitive, cooperative) between the ‘agents’, which are capable of changing and ‘learning’ – adaptive.

Both ecological and social systems are complex adaptive systems, and even more so together in a greater eco/soci-economic system: we are dependent on ecological systems for our lives (air, water, nutrients, etc.), and, our actions in turn affect ecosystems. Furthermore, our socio-economic systems depend entirely on the inputs of ecological resources as ‘factors’ of productions (and ’sinks’ for our waste by-products).

Moreover, the problematic eco/socio-economic situations are complex adaptive systems.

So, if we’re to truly resolve our eco/social ‘problems’ we can do so only with a systems mindset – by resolving the complex adaptive system ‘as a whole’.

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Feb 01

Residential Subdivisions … are Not Communities.

Business/Commerce/Industry, Dynamical Systems, Optimization, Principles, Property Design, Uncategorized No Comments »

Complex Systems involve a multiplicity of components and connections.

A vibrant Community, being a complex system, is comprised of a multiplicity (amount and variety) of components and connections.

In the previous blog articles, ‘Systems Approach to Solutions’ (Parts 1 & 2), I briefly described the nature of systems, especially complex systems, and the ’systems approach’ to designing meaningful solutions.

Our ecological and socio-economic ‘issues’ are truly complex, involving many interconnected component aspects.

In the subdivisions of our urban/suburban societies, our lifestyle behaviours represent a primary component of our problematic situation(s): our auto-dependent … highly mobile, yet also highly sedentary lifestyles and excessive processed food result in many health ‘issues’; energy-intensity (electricity; petro; etc.) causes ecological/economic impacts; and on …

Our lifestyles, though, are ‘pre-determined’ in the sense that we’re constrained by the physical form of the built-environment in which we live … so many (most) of us live in subdivisions (inner suburban sprawl of a previous generation; new suburbs); and, the suburbs are so similar.

So, residential subdivisions as a physical ‘form’ are a major component of our problematic situations, imposing major negative ecological, social and economic impacts.

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Jan 25

A ‘Systems Approach’ to Solutions (Part 1)

Dynamical Systems, Principles, Sustainability No Comments »

A sustainable resilient society is essential.

To achieve this sustainability, our many ecological/environmental and social ‘issues’ must be resolved.

Our eco/social ‘issues’ are interconnected and interdependent … this is the realm of complex, dynamic systems: resultant ‘wholes’ comprised of a variety of component ‘parts’ which have a variety of interconnections/interdependence.

So, our eco/social ‘issues’ must be understood as a ‘whole’.

To achieve a lasting beneficial change toward a sustainable resilient society, requires a ’systemic change’ … specifically, a ‘non-reversible’ systemic transitional change. For systemic change, the system ‘as a  whole’ must be addressed.

A ’systems approach’ … with a ’systems mindset’ … is a prerequisite to truly resolving our problematic situations.

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Jan 18

Community Oriented Development … Imagine! …

Property Design, Urban Transformation No Comments »

Imagine: Community-Oriented Development.

Implicit in the word ‘community’ is the notion of shared space(s) and resources for all people: in fact, shared needs, goals and responsibilities.

How would communities look if they were designed around/for people? How would such communities function?

In what ways would such ‘People-Oriented’ Communities differ from the current ‘norm’ of residential neighbourhoods?

Such ‘people-centric’ communities ought to be the new ‘norm’.

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Jan 16

Transit Oriented Development: More Sloganeering

Optimization, Property Design, Sustainability, Urban Transformation No Comments »

What about Community Oriented Development?; Lifestyle Oriented Development?; or, perhaps Effective Living Development? … or, possibly, Integrated Community Development? …

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Why are we directing development to ‘transit’ with Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?

We don’t live just for the sake of ‘moving around’ … we move around in the process of living our lives; it is a ‘component’ aspect of our lives, not the goal we aspire to. For the most part, mobility is a necessary part of life: we need to ‘get around’ for food (groceries), go to school/work, etc.

So, shouldn’t we ‘orient’ development to the ‘goals’ we strive for … rather than a particular mode of travel?

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Jan 08

Urban Transformation: Shared Needs/Goals (Part 3)

Business/Commerce/Industry, Dynamical Systems, Principles, Property Design, Sustainability, Urban Transformation No Comments »

Our shared needs are a result of the ‘built form’ of our cities/towns/neighbourhoods … so, our ultimate shared need is to change the ‘built form’ … to transform.

Some examples of shared problematic situations and their corresponding goals, include:

* traffic congestion … goal: to reduce auto dependency, use; improve traffic flow
* local provision of basics (food) … need to promote/support local merchants
* pedestrian access and infrastructure … need more pedestrian ‘ways’
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* excessive impermeable surfaces (asphalt, concrete) … need more green/natural/open space
* disconnected parks … need to connect into network
* lack of biodiversity … need to increase natural spaces and indigenous species
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* health (obesity, etc.) … need to increase physical activity in ‘daily living’ (walking, etc.)
* intergenerational interaction … need places/spaces for all people to frequent

This list could grow very long, as there are many more issues/ and they are very real needs: ecological, social, personal. And affect people in various ways, directly and indirectly.

No one ‘issue’ may seem overly significant … but it’s the totality over the course of each and every day, of the various ‘component needs’, and combinations of these ‘needs’ that adds up to effect our individual lives and the health/well-being of our relationships and society as a whole.

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Jan 07

Urban Transformation: Shared Needs/Goals (Part 2)

Business/Commerce/Industry, Optimization, Principles, Property Design, Sustainability, Urban Transformation No Comments »

The people in any particular neighbourhood share in the physical space; share the amenities (libraries; schools; etc.) and infrastructure (roads; … ).

The neighbours of any given ‘place’ live their lives together, whether or not they think of it as such. Next door neighbours may live within a few ‘feet’ (meter) in adjacent houses (or, in contact, as with townhouses). To me, just as ‘room-mates’ live together, people ‘live together’ on a larger scale as ‘community-mates’.

That’s not to say everyone needs to be buddies with each other. Rather, a simple basic respect is the fundamental need.

People also share in the social dynamic. For instance, if two neighbours feud, then the other people in the immediate vicinity are drawn in, simply as a matter of ‘being there’.

Respect, or lack thereof.

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Dec 13

Hope … for the Future – through Business.

Business/Commerce/Industry, Ecological Economics, Principles, Sustainability No Comments »

Hope is vital.

People need something to believe in … to be a part of … to aspire to.

This is evident with the current Summit meeting on Climate Change in Copenhagen. As with previous meetings, whether focussed on environmental issues as in Kyoto, or international trade as in Seattle for ‘General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade’ (GATT).

People want to be a part of something. Especially something ‘Big’.

Interestingly, to me anyway, is that for all the ‘anti-corporate’ emphasis displayed at the globalization meetings for GATT in Seattle, is that the protestors themselves had become a ‘body’ of people organized for a stated purpose – an organized ‘body’ of people is precisely the definition of a corporation that they were so against. This is amusing because people want to be a part of something ‘Big’, as evidenced by their very participation in protest against ‘Big business’.

Yes, I know very well there’s much more involved.

My point is that there is nothing inherently wrong or bad with ‘corporation’ as a concept. In fact so much of the ‘good’ we take for granted is the result of the business of corporations; business has brought us much of our beneficial developments and social progress.

Similarly, there is nothing inherently wrong or bad with ‘business’.

Indeed, it will be through business that we continue to progress as a civilization.

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Nov 09

So, Toronto ‘won’ the Pan-Am games, eh?

Ecological Economics, Principles No Comments »

So, we won the right to host the 2015 Pan-Am games.

What did we actually win?

Sure, sports events are fun and there’s the possibility of positive beneficial economic … spin-offs, the ‘multiplier effect’, etc.

There’s also the possibility of further social debt.

In ‘winning’ the bid to host the games, we ‘won’ the obligation to build various sport-specific infrastructure … at a time when, evidently, we can’t afford to effectively maintain the infrastructure we already have.

Is this wise?

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Oct 16

Tech’nology … Tech’nique

Management, Optimization, Principles, Sustainability No Comments »

Whereas technology is a physical embodiment of information, technique is a direct application of information (in the form of a service).

For example: a pre-processed food product is a technology, so to speak, while the ability to prepare a meal, ‘just-in-time’ (J.I.T) is a technique.

With the processed food, a frozen prepared dinner, the ‘information’ content is embodied … and takes place in the factory – actually, the ‘high-tech’ technology is behind the scenes.

By comparison, the ‘J.I.T’ preparation of food … the culinary technique is equally ‘high-tech’ in a different way: the knowledge/skills required to prepare and cook a meal is quite sophisticated.

Technique is a form of ‘information technology, and can be very ‘high-tech’.

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Oct 15

Improving our Lifestyles … and Resolving Climate Change as a Consequence.

Principles, Property Design, Sustainability, Urban Transformation 2 Comments »

It seems to me that perhaps the greatest ‘problem’ in dealing with Climate Change, is having ‘framed’ it as a singular ‘issue’ beyond our ‘day-to-day’ lives.

Climate Change is directly related to our lifestyles.

Yet for too many people (and most elected officials), our lifestyles and behaviours are beyond discussion: we speak of ‘living standards’ as though ‘how’ we live, in the present, is the only way we should be living and how we must continue to live.

And so, we have government officials speaking of the need for Research & Development of Green technologies.

Well, let me be clear: Of course we need R & D.

But the focus on green ‘Tech’ is in hopes of maintaining our current ‘living standards’ … Continue reading »

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Sep 20

The Fashion of Cities … Fashion the Future.

Principles, Property Design, Urban Transformation No Comments »

With all the ‘Fashion Weeks’ at this time of year promoting the fashion industry, it draws to mind the fact that a person’s clothing really does affect her/his actions, attitude and behaviour.

Likewise, the fabric, design and construction of our cities affects our attitudes and behaviours.

So, it seems reasonable that those interested in fashion … those with a sense of style, whether within the fashion industry or not … would understand the importance of the Fashion of a city.

By this, I mean the quality of the textile; quality of the fabric – it’s ‘hand’, etc.; the garment’s design and fabrication; it’s cut and drape; adornments, if any; etc.; as well as the fit and function … and, how it all affects a person’s being and doing.

All are analogous to the City. A city’s ‘techstyle’ (to play with the phonics); the quality of the physical design and construction; it’s accoutrements (streetscape feature; furniture; etc.).

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Sep 06

Economist article (Aug. 31,’09), on the resilience of nature.

Biomimicry, Dynamical Systems, Permaculture, Property Design No Comments »

An article in Economist about how nature is robust and resilient, and that ‘damaged’ ecosystems will ‘bounce back’.

This is controversial, to be sure, with lively debate in the comments from knowledgeable specialists. Well worth reading the article and the comments.

Of course, there are exceptions. Examples of damaged ecosystems that have not returned to their ‘natural’ state (Cod fishery off Newfoundland coast is cited, among others – and more in the comments).

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Aug 28

Property maintenance … is Planetary maintenance! (Part 3, of 3)

Ecological Economics, Principles, Sustainability No Comments »

In this part, I make the connection of property maintenance the basis of economics … ecological economics.

It is so common to dismiss the importance and significance of property maintenance, landscaping and gardening.

Yet, we’re talking about the care of the planet … our home: our soil, plants, water and air, and all other vital resources. Soil, specifically, is one of the fundamental foundations of life, and civilization: Soil is a complex ecosystem in it’s own right, and soil science is a sophisticated field of science.

And the vast array of flora and fauna – the plants and animals (insects, etc.), and their myriad interdependencies are of a complexity and sophistication that cannot be overstated.

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Aug 24

Property maintenance … is Planetary maintenance! (Part 2, of 3)

Ecological Economics, Permaculture, Principles, Sustainability, Urban Transformation No Comments »

Sadly, the present impression of property maintenance and landscaping is that they aren’t even considered professions. Rather, they’re simply jobs for those who can’t get ‘better’ employment.

Through any recent economic downturn, people can be heard saying that “they can always do landscaping” … implying it is their last choice; and, that it is so ‘easy’ and unimportant that anyone is qualified, regardless of knowledge/ability. This is insulting.

I recall the recession of the early ’90s, when it seemed everyone-and-his-brother had plans to start a landscaping business – often, they had no interest in eco/enviro issues or even gardening, let alone a deep respect of nature. Worse, for many a teenager/youth (almost exclusively male), a landscaping business was merely a means to justify/acquire a truck, and secure a bank loan for the purpose.

This is just plain wrong-headed.

We’re talking about the care-taking of the planet. Our home. Our only home.

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Aug 21

Property maintenance … is Planetary maintenance! (Part 1, of 3)

Ecological Economics, Permaculture, Principles, Sustainability, Urban Agriculture, Urban Transformation No Comments »

Our properties, collectively, represent ‘the planet’: therefore, property maintenance is planetary maintenance.

And so, we’re talking about the care of the planet, for heaven’s sake: property maintenance, then, deserves/demands the respect it is due … by becoming and being recognized as a highly regarded profession.

Our properties, then, present us with a unique, important and potentially vital opportunity.

A dual opportunity, in fact:  The opportunity to establish property maintenance as a new high profile professional industry, a true ‘green collar’ profession … and, in doing so, we can use the development of this new profession as the means of creating a new eco-mindset … a new eco-worldview.

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Aug 14

Hiring a neighbourhood kid to do some yard work?

Ecological Economics No Comments »

Can you really expect an 8-10 year old kid (or even teenager) to be mature and have a good work ethic?

Remember, as the mature adult it’s your responsibility to help set the standards of professionalism.

You have an opportunity, and a crucial social role to play in establishing guidelines of conduct: setting the expectations (set them high!) for amount of work to be accomplished; the quality of work; and, the timeline for completion. As well, incentives and rewards are critical.

You may be the kid’s first employer … the first stage in the young person’s professional life. Make it count, for everybody’s sake.

Don’t ask a kid if s/he ‘wants’ to work … instead, offer the opportunity to the kid to prove him/herself (with the potential for further, perhaps ongoing work with good/reasonable compensation – not too much! Be mindful of local labour rates and don’t spoil the kid with inflated earnings.) This is real life; Keep it real.

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