During Cities Week on Humanity Rising, Malini Rajendran asked 6 questions about how we are designing cities. In Gaia's Zoom Room, Joan Hardy and I discussed solutions in OhGs (Our Heart Gardens), when established locally/connected globally. We had a lively discussion. I've now put the transcript through Ami, my Ai. This is the result: All Malini's questions began with: How are we designing cities... 1. to empower children - The goal is to enable children to actively participate in family and community life, fostering a sense of self-worth and independence; integrating children and elders within the community while still promoting independence among children; organizing tasks and chores within teams or "small circles" within the OGs, where individuals of varying ages collaborate to accomplish goals, fostering a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. This approach aims to create inclusive and empowering environments where children can thrive alongside other members of the community. 2. for inclusion of persons with disabilities or differently-abled people - addressing the importance of considering laws and regulations concerning persons with disabilities or differently-abled people when planning and designing cities; highlights the need for innovative approaches in decision-making processes, such as using small group discussions like those employed by organizations like the Fresh Outlook Foundation; personal anecdotes about individuals overcoming physical challenges to actively contribute to society, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive communities where people can share burdens and find support. 3. to be safe from violence, arson and dacoity - envisioning safe spaces within Our Heart Gardens (OhGs) where elders and young runners provide security and assistance. They emphasize the importance of proper training, the implementation of 16 guiding principles (from Chief Phil Lane Jr), and fostering a culture of respect and peaceful coexistence. Additionally, the speaker highlights the role of mass transit, community engagement, and shared philosophical discussions in promoting safety and harmony within city centers. 4. to be disaster prepared - emphasizing the importance of disaster preparedness in city planning, noting that different geographies require tailored strategies; disaster response is most effective when communities come together and coordinate efforts; proposing integration of emergency services and coordination systems in Our Heart Gardens (OhGs), creating nodes of community support to ensure resilience during disasters. We need to support workers in critical roles, such as ambulance dispatchers, and advocate for building supportive community structures within cities. 5. for resource optimization - highlighting the need to consider various resources such as light, air, water, soil, food, waste management, transportation, power supply, and energy requirements. Additionally, advocating for recognizing people (referred to as "POP" or "Power Of People") as a valuable resource; suggesting redeployment of unemployed individuals to contribute to community projects like Our Heart Gardens (OhGs); innovative approaches like growing algae for biochar and fuel production and promotion of OhGs through initiatives like a utopian movie and community projects. 6. to uphold local cultural traditions - each OhGs is (will be) unique and allows for the nurturing, embellishment, and sharing of local cultural practices; resists the homogenization of cities worldwide; cannot over-stress the importance of maintaining and celebrating cultural diversity (supported by my travels to various countries and witnessing the beauty of experiencing traditional cultures firsthand); noting the value of journaling and experimentation in personal growth and artistic expression; appreciation of online breakout rooms for sharing experiences and fostering community connections. Malini, I'm very grateful for these deep and discerning questions. This contains the bare tips of the waves; there's so much more in the depths of my conversation with Joan! OhGs, a beautiful dream-to-come-true!
1 Comment
Joan
2/21/2024 03:57:25 pm
The first question reminds me of how I've felt left out of adult on-goings back in the day of my life when I became aware. It's is important that children get a chance to feel part of the world rather than just twiddling our thumbs and playing. It's only after we have a way of feeling equal. Part of the sense back when I was young was that my brother was able to do things that girls often were told they had to wait longer to be a greater part of our world.
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