WHY?

Because there is enormous social, economic and environmental injustice on a global scale with local impacts. 

Because residents of this borough and other boroughs and in fact across the globe are impacted daily, in the price of fuel, energy, food, rent and are unable to voice their opposition to further changes to legislation due to what we see as corrupted governments. 

We are here to achieve the following:

a) partake in a mass act of non-violent civil disobedience in protest of the aforementioned injustices and disenfranchisement,

b) to reinvigorate a community of like minded people, in a temporary village where personal relationships can be established and participation is possible for those who could not afford to travel to a daily protest, and

c) test and demonstrate an alternative model of social organisation – for example, direct democracy, consensus, rethinking education (please see the work of our Free University Campaign which has engaged academics and those wishing to learn across the South East).

Expected Outcomes:

A political decision for communities to retain land?

Rethink planning permissions/ legal framework?

To use site as a pilot for a larger ‘sustainable living proposal,’ etc?

Present it as a Case Study in schools, youth centres, communities, etc?

More investment/support in cooperative enterprises? 

Note this is a work in progress; please give us your opinions, ideas. 

Energy

• Generate as much of the camp’s energy consumption needs as possible through alternative and/or clean energy sources bicycle pads, solar panels, etc.  

• Maximize efficiency (producing, harnessing, saving).  

Methodology

a)      Diesel generator in use at the moment,

b)       Bicycle pad prototype delivered January 2012,

c)      After being tested, model can be replicated in a DIY approach,

d)     Solar panels to be installed end of January,

e)      Explore and apply different energy possibilities via existing networks/communities.

Food  

• Transitioning towards self-sustainability.

Methodology

a)      Use flower beds to plant crops such as herbs, peas, beans (already sown) and other vegetables,

b)      Experiment with different techniques such as permaculture, vertical farming, and hydroponic irrigation systems, etc.

c)      Market at Finsbury Square (organic food, jams, etc to take place periodically inviting farmers, etc to set up a stall),

d)     Network with different projects/communities already experienced in this area.

Waste 

• The three Rs: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse - a creative, conscious and critical approach.

Methodology

a)       Waste being sorted for recycling at the camp,

b)      Replace current porter loos system with compost toilets (self-built, adhering to building requirements)

c)      Collect rain water for washing floors, etc. (complying with health & safety standards)

d)     Reuse “waste” materials for construction, creative projects

e)      Optimize our waste management policy for maximum efficiency

f)       Network with existing projects/groups experienced in this field

Construction

• Showcase low cost, self build infrastructure/housing options in a collaborative undertaking.

Methodology

a)      Apply self built & ecologic models and techniques in the development of the camp’s infrastructures

b)      Demonstrate availability of building resources by collecting & reusing “waste” material

c)      Hands-on workshops at the “Eco Lab” – Finsbury Square’s Eco Village version of Tent City University.  

d)     Network with existing projects/groups experienced in this field

e)      Promote and disseminate these models and the Finsbury Eco Village experience to the wider public, co-operative initiatives, housing organizations, builders and constructors, engineers and architects, etc, etc.

Existing Partners: 

Architype (currently developing community space design using Walter Seagal model)

Demotech Maastricht (low cost technology and solutions – www.demotech.org)

Co-op Housing Associations

Housing Justice

Off-Grid networks

 Energy, Equity and Environment Working Group

School of Ideas

Education Working Group

Desirable / Potential Partners:

Local Businesses, Community and Schools

Islington Council

Lammas Project

Reclaim the Fields 

Woofing communities & Wolfing communities  

Byggakuten Norden (composting toilets) - http://www.byggakuten.se/en/index.html

Etc … (more research, more networking!!!)

Please get in contact if you would like to get involved & if you have useful skills/tools/ materials/ transport means/ projects/ideas to implement and/or teach.