Dear Norm,

I agree and wish I'd said th edesign persepctive  so well as you did!
'environments may be more effectively addressed as layered relational
systems that include many diverse and complex adaptive systems in
interconnection.' Great! Sounds like a quote from Bill Mollinson.

I'm not convinced, hoiwever, by the trees-earth argument. There are many
different plant/soil ecologies besides trees. They each have differring
effects on soil health. For example, here to the north of  Perth, Western
Australia, the dominant natural vegetation is low (>2m) drought resistant
shrubs over smaller shrubs, a cactus-like ground cover and light grasses on
sand that is slowly building in soil carbon by drawing it out of the air. In
times of rain the carbon is washed deeper into the earth securing it.
Simialrly in  Corsica, there is the Macqui. In many parts of Europe and
America there are grass/soil ecologies and shrub-based plant/soil ecologies.
Good farms have vigorous soils sequestering CO2.

Regardless, essentially trees have zero effect on CO2 sequestration overall.
On death they release 100% of what they have stored. In contrast, soil
sequestration has the potential to lock up CO2 in a more long term fashion. 

On this area of design, I think the science is better than the public
romanticism. Or should that be 'hidden economic manipulation'? Two 'design'
reasons for encouraging trees as a subsidised solution to climate change are
their commercial value and their ability to change public dollars into
private hands.

Best wishes,

Terry


-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Norm
Sheehan
Sent: Thursday, 30 August 2007 8:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Redesign

Dear All

 

I believe that it is a vast and dangerous oversimplification to posit
complex adaptive systems as a model for environmental understanding -
environments may be more effectively addressed as layered relational systems
that include many diverse and complex adaptive systems in interconnection. 

 

With all respect the idea that tree planting is not good design because soil
is a better C02 repository is not counter intuitive it is absurd ... the
kind of scientific absurdity that comes from positing that soil and tree are
separate objects with different sequestering values. Trees and soil exist in
relation - no trees without soil & without trees soil becomes either
airborne or waterborne .... an observable environmental outcome in
Australia.

 

 Design that seeks to understand and enhance this tree soil relation as a
basis for the appropriate relational mix for CO2 impounding in a context is
a kind of design that involves research into the relations existing between
complex adaptive systems with the aim of developing approaches that enhance
such relational patterns. This relational design is apparent in the works of
Indigenous  theorists such as Greg Cajete and some of the better deep theory
texts.

 

Apologies for a grumpy old man tune.

 

Norm. 


________________________________

From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design on behalf of Terence
Sent: Tue 28/08/2007 7:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Redesign



Dear Mark,
There was a tremendous amount of work done in this area by members of the
ECO2-IRN group based at Cranfield during the 1990s (see
http://www.mcaloone.com/environment/eco2/intro.htm ) Some of the members of
that group are members of this list. My guess is it is still available. Tim
MacAloone and Tracy Bhamra were key contacts.
Best,
Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark
Richardson
Sent: Tuesday, 28 August 2007 10:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Redesign

Dear Francois,

I think a comprehensive literature search and review in the area of
component and material reuse would be highly beneficial.  I (along with a
number of other researchers I know) would be keen to develop such a list.
I'd also be keen to know how many other design researchers on the PhD design
list are already looking into this area.  It would be good to to take the
theory and begin to fashion it into a collaborative infrastructure of design
practice.

Regards,

Mark Richardson



Francois-Xavier Nsenga <[log in to unmask]> wrote:> Dear Mark,

Thank you for sharing the information! It really feels good to see more and
more likeminded people around!

I have just sent off-list a note to Stella (one of the previous posts)
suggesting to form a team that would look into the possibility of a
compilation and annotation of available literature on information from users
to designers...

Would you also be interested to join in?

I am very much interested to have a look into your 'redesign' project, and
please forward a copy to me after your paper is delivered at the IASDR 07
conference.


Kind regards!


Francois
--
Transport Design Coordinator / Ph.D. candidate Monash University Faculty of
Art & Design Department of Design, Industrial Design 900 Dandenong Rd
Caulfield East 3145 Victoria, Australia

Ph: +61 3 9903 1859
Mob: 0425 726 011