The Rhizome Collective; New Frontiers in Urban Sustainability

The Rhizome Collective space is becoming a model for techniques and tools that reduce people's ecological impact. Replicable, urban, sustainable design necessitates a unique approach to planning. Limiting factors include the shortage of horizontal space and low income levels. Our emphasis is placed on developing techniques that can be applied at low or no cost with minimal technical expertise. Utilizing "waste" materials is important; these are a city's most abundant local resource. Rainwater harvesting is another essential component to any permaculture system, especially an urban one. Cities compete for water rights while millions of gallons wash off of parking lots and rooftops. This water, which would normally be allowed to slowly infiltrate into aquifers, is mixed with gas spills, sewage effluent and garbage, ending up either in the sewers or polluting waterways. If people collected rainwater off their rooftops, they would have a free source of non-chlorinated water. Rainwater-collection systems can be made by recycling food-grade barrels from bakeries or from homebrewing supply stores. City rain may potentially contain higher levels of some pollutants, but it is still safer than most cities' tap water. Collecting water can also combat the growing practice of water privatization. Many US cities are already in the process of selling their water systems to private corporations. Two unused lots border the Rhizome Collective's space. One is a field covered with a nearly impervious hardpan. The soil quality itself is questionable since it borders an auto salvage lot and is possibly contaminated. In response, we are building a healthy layer of soil on top of it. We regularly intercept curbside bags of leaves and spread the contents across the field. Slowly, this, combined with the constant scratching and tilling by our free-range chicken friends and occasional watering, has created several inches of soil in a section of the field.