Comments on: Urban Design Patterns in Melbourne

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:26:36 +0000

Mark, permaculture concepts can be applied anywhere but the application to balconies and walkways and generally small spaces has a lot do with light, access, water availability and the imagination/ingenuity of the designer. Layers and stacking – where you make best use of all niches in the vertical and horizontal planes as well as the times of the day and the seasons (though Malaysia doesn’t have the same range as temperate zones) is where you need to focus. A search of “balcony permaculture” gives a great array of resources in this respect. Good luck – and remember fruit trees, animals and herbs and vegies can all be incorporated into tight spaces it is just the design and the site limitations that set the tone.

By: Mark Lim

Mark Lim — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:45:50 +0000

I love what you have done in empowering this family towards sustainability. Especially helping those with limited land space. I am presently residing at Malaysia but originate from Singapore. One of the biggest challenges for us who stay in the urban setting with very little accessible land space except perhaps a balcony or walkway, how best can permaculture concepts be introduce in such setting?

By: Darren (Green Change)

Darren (Green Change) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:51:01 +0000

It’s awesome to see these really well-drawn and well thought out plans of urban properties. It’s one thing to see permaculture plans for larger properties (acres, or even dozens or hundreds of acres), but that’s largely theoretical for most Australians. Your plans above are hugely relevant to most Aussie home-owners!

Great stuff. Looking forward to the show on SBS!

By: Dan Palmer

Dan Palmer — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:01:07 +0000

Thanks Matt and Frank – both properties are a bit less than 1/4 acre – the first is 15m wide by by 51m long (though the designs and photos are only of the backyard) and the second property 17m wide by 44m long. I visited the first a few days ago and the water tank is now in and filling and the owner is about to have one heck of a lot of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower on his hands!

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:32:16 +0000

In both cases the property sizes do not exceed 1/4 of an acre. Both are representative of suburban sized blocks.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:49:55 +0000

Very inspirational. Good to see designs like this implemented for people living in suburban backyards. Nice drawings too.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:56:23 +0000

I’d love to know how many acres these properties are to get an idea for the size of the houses and property. I can’t tell from the plans. But this is exciting stuff!