Get a Degree in Ruralism

photo credit

In reading AKASH KAPUR's "letter from India", Agriculture Left to Die at India's Peril, one begs the question of whether urbanists, designers, planners and architects aren't missing the issue by not focusing on RURAL development and only on urban. While the drive is for greater urbanization, and yes, the needs for water, housing and waste management will be of major necessity, but shouldn't we be addressing this in the most "sustainable" of manners, and thus nipping this at the bud? And instead asking, Why are people moving into the cities, and how can we improve the RURAL experience? Thus addressing and supporting issues such as agriculture and food supplies, safe water and sanitation. Does waiting till the critical mass appear in the city makes sense? Or should we not be addressing these issues on a more dispersed scale - that of the rural?

rural desigers...ruralist!

see my earlier related blogposts

Cyber Nations

"Cyber Nations is the most popular free persistent browser-based nation simulation game on the Internet. Create a nation and decide how you will rule your people by choosing a government type, a national religion, tax rate and more. Build your nation by purchasing infrastructure to support your citizens, land to expand your borders, technology to increase your effectiveness, military to defend your interests, and develop national improvements and wonders to build your nation according to your choosing.."

an essay for the economic deceleration

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The Cab Ride

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MADE IN ____ & ____ & ____ ...

Ever wonder what "Made in China" really means? This well researched site, Source Map, documents the constuction and movement of all the materials used to make some of the common products you probably are using right now. Great supply chain mappings adds to the visual research.

Land of Ghosn - The Beirut Blog

You can also see me blogging on my Beirut Blog while based here in Lebanon

The Counterfeit Triangle

New York's Street of Schemes
 By ALEX KALMAN and LOLA SINREICH
The New York Times