The Town: Architecture & Physical Community reDesign Discussion, Idea & Dream Mill

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The Town: Architecture & Physical Community reDesign Discussion, Idea & Dream Mill

natural buildings; "third places"; new medical facilities; off-grid systems; transport; wetlands/blackwater/swales; infrastructure/land re-use/reorganization (i.e., sewers, highways, malls), etc.

Members: 7
Latest Activity: Dec 5, 2012

2013-05-05

Occupy Ghost Town

Guest post, by Caleb McMillan

tanstaaflcanada.blogspot.ca

 

For as long as unowned space has existed, people have been “occupying” it peacefully – with distressingly little success. States, taxation, inflation and illegitimate monopolies are a constant reality for peaceful acting individuals. Too often, these injustices are met with little or no response, regarded simply as “the price you pay” for civilization. As a supporter of the Occupy movement, I believe that everyone is entitled to occupy unowned space. Not only is this possible – it is essential for building a strong and lasting movement.
It's no secret that the 1% who wrecked the economy are protected by state power. The less a society relies on social power, the less effective they are at peaceful social order. As the economic depression worsens, we must be careful not to replicate the State's tactics. The message is clear: peace in all realms of human action.
For individuals differing in colours, genders and political persuasions to participate equally in the Occupy movement, we must abide by the non-aggression principle. We must declare our own individual sovereignty on unowned land. We know that state harassment and assault will continue (participation in the fascist system is mandatory, after all) – but there is power in disestablishing ourselves by going off the grid and living sustainably. As the movement grows, it will become harder for state power to overtake social power.
In solidarity with those who are already squatting off the grid and promoting the idea of liberty, I call on all General Assemblies of the Occupy movement to adopt “disestablishment” as an effective tool for serving the interests of the 99%. By occupying ghost towns we are giving individuals two options: live under the poverty of the State or come help rebuild society sustainably and peacefully.

Disestablish yourselves.
Voluntary = Victory.
Occupy Ghost Town.

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Comment by Adam F. on April 10, 2012 at 10:09am

I am putting together an online showcase of green homes in Ottawa.  If  you have a green home or know someone who would be interested let me know!  You can post your own stories, videos, pictures as well as volunteer to be video interviewed for the site.  Here it is: http://ottawagreenhomes.webs.com/

Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on February 1, 2011 at 3:49pm

Event:


Meeting To Discuss The Development of An Ecovillage in Eastern Ontario

Comment by Dominique Larocque on December 9, 2010 at 8:25pm

I invite you to visit the Creative Wheel Centre. Website below.

I will be looking for serious volunteer builders this summer. I have a ton of recycled materials that I need to build a 100% recycled bike repair shop / off-grid cappuccino bar this summer with a bunch of Duke of Edinburgh (GOLD residential program) - if you can help, let me know!

Nature - MOVEMENT - Art | Natural movement is an art!

www.creativewheel.ca

Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on November 16, 2010 at 8:05pm

Event
:

Meeting to Develop the Eco-Village Vision:

Lanark Eco-Village, Ontario

Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 6, 2010 at 3:29pm

Accessible Human-Scaled Redesign: The Seedbomb Dispenser


Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 4, 2010 at 6:49pm

Treehouses for The Whole Family: La Cabane Perchee


Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 4, 2010 at 6:39pm

Ghost Town-To-Ecovillage?


Here's a video of Balaclava, a ghost town in close proximity to Ottawa, which seems to show a relatively and remarkably-pristine interior of one or more of the buildings, complete with extra wood in some sections, a ladder and leftover hardware. The interior structures appear of timberframe post-and-beam integrity such that you can't really get anymore without a high price, and such that would be relatively easy to do up beautifully. These heritage treasures wasting away are highly valued and sough-after, especially given our current bankrupt spiritual, financial, ethical and cultural climate. Imagine a self-contained, self-sufficient ecovillage with a pre-existing heritage component...


Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 4, 2010 at 6:25pm

Here's a good example of an ingenious yet relatively simple project of how beautiful and unique small homes can be made from various sources of what would otherwise be landfill-destined. (The project includes one or more treehouses. :) Of course we could have the same thing here.

Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 4, 2010 at 6:19pm

Earthship Architecture: 'Garbage Warrior' (documentary)
"Michael Reynolds is an architect based in New Mexico and a proponent of 'radically sustainable living'. He has been a forceful and controversial critic of the profession of architecture for it's failure to deal with the amount of waste that building design creates." ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_Warrior
Garbage Warrior celebrates his life and work.
This film is in parts, the others after this first one may be easily found on You Tube by following the link and looking at the right-hand list.
Comment by Caelan MacIntyre on September 4, 2010 at 5:48pm
Intentional Community, Christiania:

 

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