Permaculture: Landscape Design Science for Sustainable Living

David Holmgren and Bill Mollison co-wrote the first permaculture text ‘Permaculture One’ which was published in 1978. The text is a mixture of ideas relating to agriculture, landscape architecture and ecology. Holmgren and Mollison’s text was well received with surprising success, clearly filling a niche in the market for an emerging environmentalist counter culture seeking something more practical for sustainable living. David Holmgren views permaculture as more of a philosophical mindset to be applied across all aspects of human activity illustrated by his Permaculture Flower. American ecologist Howard T. Odum and his use of ‘energy’ (embodied energy) is Holmgren’s main theoretical inspiration to design systems and subsequent listed twelve design principles. Therefore the goal of permaculture design is about careful and contemplative observation of nature and systems, recognising universal patterns and learning to apply these principles to individual circumstances. 

 

Holmgren’s Permaculture Flower: starts with the ethics and principles focusing on the domain of land and nature stewardship, permaculture is evolving by progressive application of principles to the integration of all seven domains necessary to sustain humanity through energy decent. Source: Holmgren (2002)



The design principles of permaculture are attributed to the strength of systems thinking by working with natural systems, as opposed to the limitations of conventional agriculture or even the dominating hierarchical structures of industry and government approaches to harvesting resources. A typical permaculture arrangement resembles a small holding organised in concentric rings or zones where the dwelling at the centre of the system is surrounded by the crops and animals requiring the most attention, and more self sufficient systems positioned in the outer zones. The system within each area is designed to maximise the use of natural combining forces to produce better outcomes and to utilise ecological functions including edge effects where different ecosystems meet. Each element in the design ideally provides at least two functions and each function should be provided by at least two elements for resilience; Holmgren’s approach to building community resilience. 

 

Holmgren’s Twelve Principles of Permaculture, integrates community, environment and ethical components.

Source: Holmgren (2002)

At the heart of permaculture is a core set of values or ethics that concurrently recognise and respect the biosphere as the source of life; support the collaboration between people in sustainability and ensure the Earth’s limited resources are utilised in ways that are equitable and justified. These core values remain constant whatever a person’s situation, whether they are creating systems for town planning or trade; or whether the land they care for is only a window box or an entire forest. Permaculture provides the tools that encourages self sufficiency for sustainable living, creating a pathway beyond today's economic and ecological issues. As it is a transition movement for a smaller footprint, permaculture is a key player for sustainable growth.

Reference: Holmgren., D. (2002). Permaculture. Principles and Pathways beyond Sustainability. Hepburn, Victoria: Holmgren Design Services.