The European Commission set to support green infrastructure

So much good news from the GILA world over the last week!

-The European Commission adopted a, new, long term, strategy to encourage green infrastructure projects including identifying possible projects, expanding the knowledge base of innovative, green infrastructure supporting technologies and most importantly, financing through the European Investment Bank.

-If you're at work and can listen to a podcast, without getting in trouble, give a listen to Will Allen's latest interview.

-A 7.5 million euro German/African partnership, UrbanFoodPlus, has been created to boost the productivity of urban farming in Africa. Although there will be a range of project groups focusing on different elements of food production across the continent, initially grower, seller, and government officials will be interviewed in Burkina Faso and Ghana to understand their current realities.

-What do you get when you combine martial arts and urban agriculture? Boston's own Green Dragons of course!

-There are very few vertical gardens anywhere around the world. If you are in Singapore or stopping through, one is actually open to the public!

Plans for the first climate adapted neighborhood + a free e-book on seed saving

Last week plans for Copenhagen's first climate adapted neighborhood (and I think that means they get the world title as well) were released. Green roofs play a crucial role, looks like it should be done in 2016. I decided to ignore my self-imposed ban on posting conceptual drawings because this is way too cool!

-Join the Fortnight for Seed Freedom. Starting October 2 Vandana Shiva is calling for a two weeks of civil disobedience against unjust seed laws. While gearing up, you can download the free e-book,
A Guide to Seed Saving, Stewardship and Sovereignty .

-If you are in the saving mood, read more about how the NRDC says we can help reduce food waste and losses in the US food supply. Forty percent of food in America is currently lost!

Book review - Gardening Vertically by Noemie Vialard

Gardening Vertically, by Noemie Vialard was originally published in France in 2010, but has just recently been translated and is now available for the English speaking North American audience.

This book belongs on your shelf. The author, admittedly Patrick Blanc's close friend and frequent collaborator, begins the book with 40 pages devoted to the French green wall innovator. Detailing his style, methods and background, it reads a bit like an extended Blanc biography/promotional piece. Which is fine, we also get insight and an in depth look into his work and inspiration, complete with tons of pictures and full equipment, hardware and support lists to build your own Blanc style wall. With step-by-step instructions the last 100 pages are filled with other techniques (a few time honoured and others fairly recent) for your own DIY projects, included detailed plant lists for achieving the wall of your dreams.

The possible projects are exhaustively described, including the lifespan of the plants in the wall, maintenance requirements, prep time, planting time, the best locations and harvest times as well.
It's very handy as an all-in-one resource for anyone interested in the green walls, especially the mechanically inclined DIYer.

Green roofs, 1/2 off...in Singapore!

Well, I guess I acquiece. If there are less blog posts, that means there are more projects going up or in the works. And that's a good thing, right? Even though the frequency will be reduced to probably once a week, I'll make sure it's good...

When was the last time you could get a 384 page book...free? Well, Plan B 4.0 authored by Lester Brown of the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Earth Policy Institute (www.earth-policy.org), outlines a plan to address current worldwide challenges facing our civilization through a serious mobilization that will work to stabilize climate and population, address poverty, and restore the natural systems that our economy depends upon.
What a treat. Great thanks goes to NextStep Newsletter editor, Paul Moss, for making us all aware of this.

-More from the permaculture world. Great article from Science Alert about the risks and solutions for global food security. 9 billion in 2050. Over 11 billion in 2060. We had better get on it.

-If you're already hip to permaculture and ready to help others, the 2nd edition of the Permaculture Teaching Manual is now available.

-Sweet fancy moses, Singapore is offering incentives for green roofs. Does 50% of the cost whet your appetite?

-I will most DEFINITELY try making this dandelion preserve.

-Vancouver wanted to make 2010 urban gardens by 2010. looks like they broke their goal.

Hmmm...could Detroit learn from East German examples on how to make shrinking cities mini-meccas?

verticiel on the air + west coast living architecture crawl

I should probably have a weekly post featuring all the cool things cities have planned. But first tune in to the Green Majority radio show (CIUT 89.5 FM) Friday, February 12 at 10:30 am as verticiel Inc. drops by to talk about green roofs and Toronto's new Green Roof Bylaw.

On to the west coast, last week the City of Seattle proclaimed 2010 "Year of Urban Agriculture". Looks like they have a slew of activities planned so far.

On to Portland, where we get a primer on where to get urban agriculture and permaculture supplies.

Further south in San Fran, in two weeks the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco chapter (AIA San Francisco) will present an exhibition highlighting vertical gardens in all their splendor.

There's a call for papersfrom the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) focusing on best practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture. Up to 2,500 words so don't get verbose!

And last but not least, we'll head to the mountains to spotlight Green Roofs Utah. I'll have to introduce myself, like a good neighbor should!