Comments for Kitchen Table Sustainability

Comment on Trouble in Paradise: Dual Occupancy at Jarlanbah by Jo Penwell

Jo Penwell — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:52:18 +0000

If there is an attitude of respect for all the people involved and their perspectives, I am sure a community like this can find a resolution.

My instinctive reaction, based on the information here, is that introducing new residents (especially where there is need) is not unreasonable. We are a nation where people are increasingly living alone, which is far from ideal – socially, economically, or environmentally.

I am not convinced that we (as a nation) need more dwellings, filled with more people living alone. I am in favour of more mature, sharing arrangements. This might involve modifications to an existing home or a new build.

I personally abhor soulless suburban development on mass, so I sympathise with some of the objections. The test (for me) would be whether the development has been well-considered and designed for the individual need, or solely as an investment /money-making venture.

Increasing the resident population need not involve more cars either. I don’t believe any household in a well-designed community/ city ever needs more than 1 car. Perhaps this might be an opportunity for the whole community to review driving habits and instigate new car-pooling, car-sharing or other shared transport arrangements.

Ultimately, too many Australians are aging in isolation, with very little support. I’d love to see a community – like this one – work towards a sustainable solution that works for its people.

Good Luck to you all.

Comment on Officeworks and Reflex paper: “I have to pay my mortgage and feed my dogs” by John McPherson

John McPherson — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:50:51 +0000

What!?! You did a 72 km round trip in the name of sustainability.
Look at the mirror – it is cracked.

Comment on Silencing Dissent: charity begins at home by Mark R

Mark R — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:33:12 +0000

I´m nowhere near you all there at that community in the Northern Hemisphere, but I used to be based in the US. I hear your struggle, and understand it from my own similar encounters throughout my activist and related efforts at integrity.
I recommend resources like Marshall Rosenberg´s Non-violent Communication, William Greider´s The Soul of Capitalism, and some history of civil society group or groups. The Twelve Step groups are also helpful. Power struggles have economic bases, and by combining our understanding with psychology and politics, we can be more effective. Remember Gandhi´s example and powerful example, and the struggle for the Women´s vote, no less.
Good luck, and God Bless you guys.

Comment on Housing Density and Sustainability: What Works and What Doesn’t Work? by School Troubles in a Booming Metropolis: Part 4 – Changing Expectations | Planning Pool

Mon, 02 May 2011 13:41:17 +0000

[...] a 2007 post-occupancy survey found False Creek North to be a well-functioning intergenerational and intercultural neighbourhood, [...]

Comment on Silencing Dissent: charity begins at home by Marnee

Marnee — Mon, 02 May 2011 03:10:05 +0000

Having been on the receiving end of a bullying incident this past weekend, I feel it is important for us all, as individuals and within our wider community, to be vocal against such practices wherever they occur. Particularly so young people can see that bullying will not, cannot, be tolerated. Silence equals tacit approval; speaking out empowers.

Comment on Silencing Dissent: charity begins at home by shirley miller

shirley miller — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:48:47 +0000

This community is so sunk in complacency about their importance and that their way is the only way. Any dissent is silenced by trying to force the dissenter to go to meetings which are basically ‘KANGAROO COURTS”. Any wonder no one wants to attend. Who wants to be torn apart by a mob? Shirley

Comment on Why bother with community engagement, anyway? by cocinas integrales

cocinas integrales — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 10:21:11 +0000

The world needs more people like you…but unfortunately I feel that we are going in the wrong direction.

Community engagement is suffering in the face of greed.

Comment on The blessings of a composting toilet by Crazyupload

Crazyupload — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:16:49 +0000

I will post a link to this page on my blog.
Thanks!

Comment on Planning Institute of Australia: Award for Excellence in Planning Scholarship by Blogging for a Sustainable Future | Excellence Award for Wendy Sarkissian

Blogging for a Sustainable Future | Excellence Award for Wendy Sarkissian — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:27:32 +0000

[...] Sarkissian and her co-authors have won an Excellence in Planning Scholarship for their trio of Community Planning books, published by Earthscan. The Award, given by the [...]

Comment on Why bother with community engagement, anyway? by Chrissy

Chrissy — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:30:26 +0000

I needed to read this today. I suffer from the same “naive optimism.”