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T H E R E D A L T E R N A T I V E URBAN STRATEGY MARCH STAGE TWO

Isla Melville and Ian McNeill

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C O N T E N T STERMINOLOGY

MANGO MATERIALS

THE HUB

WASTE TO ENERGY

UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW

INFORMAL ACTIVITIES

KUNSTHAUS TACHELESWEWORK LABS

INDUSTRY CITY DISTILLERY

THE CITY FOUNDRY

MICRO-ENTERPRISE

FOLLY FOR A FLYOVER

BY JOOST

MAKE LONDON

GREENPOINT MANUFACTURING

INDIE CAPITALISM

OCCUPY DESIGN

FORMAL ACTIVITIES

WASTE PAPER RECYCLING

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OPPORTUNITY =

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T E R M I N O L O G Y

PRODUCTIVE SPACE Human to Human, Mutual Exchange

HUMAN NEEDS Unemployment Breaking down of social boundaries

HUMAN ACTION Historic Struggle Fight for social cause

ENVIRONMENTAL NEED Synergies Responsibility Environmental Awareness Catalyst for Change

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY Industrial ecology is a broad, systemic and cross-industrial approach, it studies industrial systems as ecosystems which encompassanetworkofprocessesandflows,includesindustry’s wider links to society

INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS One of the most important concepts of industrial ecology is that, like the biological system, it rejects the concept of waste. Dictionaries definewasteasuselessorworthlessmaterial.Innature,however, nothing is eternally discarded; in various ways all materials are reused,generallywithgreatefficiency.Hencematerialsandproducts thatareobsoleteshouldbetermed‘residues’ratherthan‘wastes’, and it should be recognized that wastes are merely residues that our economyhasnotyetlearnedtouseefficiently.

F O R M A L A C T I V I T I E S

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MANGO MATERIALSwww.mangomaterials.com

[ ]MangoMaterialsisanewstart-upwithafirst-classteamofengineers,scientists,entrepreneursand inovatorsproducing biodegradable plastics from waste biogas (methane) that are economically competitive with conventional oil-based plastics.

MangoMaterialswasincorporatedin2010andreceivedtheirfirstroundoffundingin2011.We are excited to announce that we were chosen as the grand prize winner of $630,000 for the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge Business Plan Competition. The Mango Materials team received the prize in New York City on September 23rd at a dinner that was a part of the Clinton Global Initiative.Although we would love to hear from potential future customers, at the moment Mango Materials produces solely research quantities and does not sell any material samples.Mango Materials produces biodegradable plastics from waste biogas (methane) that are economically competitive with conventional oil-based plastics.

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THE HUB KINGS CROSS, LONDON ZEROZERO ARCHITECTShttp://kingscross.the-hub.net

“...theirworkinthefieldofregenerationischaracterizedbyanemphasisoncreatingmicro-economiesthrough supporting small-scale businesses and nonmonetary forms of exchange such as swap shops. This strategic work is combined with architectural design that creates the spatial conditions necessary for social networks to thrive, typically through making threshold and indeterminate spaces that encourage informal exchanges.” (Spatial agency)

“Hub Kings Cross is a co-working space for social entrepreneurs based in London. Come and be part of our inspiring community of social enterprises, environmental companies and sustainable businesses.

The HUB is about the power of innovation through collaboration. We believe there is no shortage of good ideas to solve the issues of our time. But there is an acute lack of collaboration and support structures to helpmakethemhappen.TheHUBwasfoundedtoaddressthisneed.HUBKing’sCrossispartofthisglobal network of spaces and that combine the best of a trusted community, innovation lab, business in-cubator and the comforts of home. Spaces with all the tools and trimmings needed to grow and develop innovative ventures for the world. But above all, spaces for meaningful encounters, exchange and inspira-tion,fullofdiversepeopledoingamazingthings.Theideahasbeenspreadinglikewildfireandresultedinthe emergence of a global movement. To date, there are 25+ open HUBs and many more in the making, from London to San Francisco, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Sao Paulo.

Our ambition is to add to a global network of connected communities that enable collaborative ventures for a better world. At any HUB people from every profession, background and culture are being united by one thing: the imagination and drive to pursue enterprising ideas for the world. These are the people who see and do things differently and have entrepreneurial passion to create sustainable impact.

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WASTE TO ENRGY PROJECTS, POLAND GREENET FINLAND, NORDIC CLEANTECH ALLIANCEwww.eig.org

In order to comply with new national and European environmental standards on waste disposal, a number of Polish cities and regions have in the current programming period (2007-2013) commenced project preparation for the construction of waste incinerators. There are currently several waste to energy projects scheduled for the next few years. With several foreign investors interested in bringing these projects to fruition.

Location: Warsaw Investor: Zusok Plant capacity: increase of 200 000 (tons/year) assessed Project: Current waste handling capacity about 110 000 tons/a of which around 46 000 tons can be incinerated. Part of the incoming municipal waste is composted.Schedule: 2011-2014

Location: LodzInvvestor: LodzPlant capacity: 250000 (tons/year)Project: Waste incineration plant in Lodz area. Waste from Lodz, Pabianice, Zgierz, Ozorkow, Aleksandrow, Lask, Konstantynow, (totally about 1 mln inhabitants), new plant, report on the impact on the environment done by Socotec Polska Sp.z o.o, public research to be done by December 16, 2010.Schedule: 2010-2013

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WASTE PAPER RECYCLINGrecycle.netwww.recycle.net/Paper/waste/

Shreddedwasteofficepaperisarecyclablecommoditythatisultimatelysoldonforprofit.Mostsmallerandevensomelargemobileshreddingfirmsdelivertheirshreddedpapertowastepapermerchants,whothen bale the paper and ship it to a paper mill. The waste paper merchant pays for the paper on a per ton rate,creatinganotherincomestreamfortheshreddingfirm.Whentheshreddingfirmhasaconsiderablevolume of paper being processed it can become economically sound to purchase a baler and deal direct with the paper mill. Shreddingfirmsmayoperateuptothreeorfourtruckssourcingmaterial,beforemakingitviabletoBaletheirownpaper,sointheearlystagesofthecompanies’lifethebeststrategyistofocusonsalestowinmore customers, rather than diverting time and money to set up and operate a baling operation.

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UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW - FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGwbis.sggw.pl/en/scientific-researches/laboratories/water-centre/

Thelong-terminfluenceoftheProjectwillbeexercisedmainlythrougheducatingscientificpersonnelforeconomy,science and education on the highest level, in the fieldsmost crucial for thedevelopment of the country andmarkingtheinnovationofPolishenterprises.Improvingtheeducationalprocesswillelevateittothelevelreflectingthe needs of the modern and developed knowledge-based society.

WaterinthesystemoftheWaterParkflowsinaclosedcircuitthankstoasystemofpumpsfeedingwaterfromthe ultimate reservoir to the initial station, which is constituted by a ground object built in gabion and landmass construction. The quality of water is maintained mainly through a natural reed bed treatment plant which is a part of the water system. The mentioned structure is unique in the country. It will be used in the educational process and to popularise general knowledge to illustrate water circulation in nature and to teach about the principles of designing and executing hydro-technical undertakings.

The Water Park, which is unique both in Poland and Europe, will supplement the educational process carried out in high and elementary schools. Creating specialised, well-equipped educational and research laboratories will allow not only to improve the quality of education but also to increase the volume and quality of research conducted in the Faculty, which will result in an increase in the number of patents and protection rights obtained by the University. The building also includes rooms where exhibitions will be located, popularising the topics of water and sanitary engineering.

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I N F O R M A L A C T I V I T I E S

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KUNSTHAUS TACHELES | INSTITUTIONwww.kunsthaus-tacheles.de

The Kunsthaus Tacheles (Art House Tacheles), was an art centre in Berlin, Germany, a large (9000 square meter) building and sculpture park on Oranienburger Straße in the district known as Mitte. Huge, colourful graffiti-stylemuralsarepaintedontheexteriorwalls,andmodernartsculpturesarefeaturedinside.Thebuilding houses an artists collective which is threatened with eviction.

Originally called “Friedrichsstadtpassagen”, it was built as a department store in the Jewish quarter (Scheunenviertel) of Berlin, next to the synagogue. Serving as a Nazi prison for a short while, it was later partially demolished. After the Berlin Wall had come down, it was taken over by artists, who called it Tacheles, Yiddish for “straight talking.” The building contained studios and workshops, a nightclub, and a cinema. Outside, the garden featured an open air exhibition of metal sculptures as well as galleries and studios for sculptors and painters. A part of the garden still remains open to the public.

Presence onlineOn September 4, 2012, the remaining 40-60 artists left peacefully, after pressure from the owner - after 22years.TheMetallwerkstattisstillexistingandfightingagainsteviction.Several artists and programmers created a Tacheles 3D online art gallery, to open up new rooms for the Tacheles artists, and to continue the spirit of Tacheles online. The association Artprotacheles aims at expandingtheideaofTachelesthroughMobileAtelierProjectsandhasalreadyrealisedthefirstoneinBerlin Friedrichshain.

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WEWORK LABS, NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCOweworklabs.com

WeWork Labs was founded in 2011 with a focus on helping early stage tech startups in New York City. NowwithofficesinSanFranciscoandNewYork,WeWorkLabshasover300currentmembersandagreat alumni network around the country. Every company in WeWork Labs has been hand selected by ourteamasagoodcandidateforthecommunityandhavetheoptiontoworkinaprivateofficeorintheopen area at a dedicated desk.

Our residents not only get access to a great space to work and a fun, smart community but their membership fees also include:

SuperfastinternetandwifiSupport from our partnersFreeaccesstoallofoureventsandinvestorofficehoursCoffee, beer and other goodiesAccess to healthcareConference rooms

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INDUSTRY CITY DISTILLERYwww.drinkicd.com/

Industry City Distillery is one of several start-ups that have had the opportunity to utilize the affordable and manageable space offered in Industry City, and to combine the creative forces of several individuals to comeupwithaproductthattrulydefinescraftsmanship,chemistryandcollaboration. In October, a group led by the Historic Districts Council, an organization that provides educational events for preservation minded people, headed to the 6,000-square-foot distillery to learn a little history, make connections, share ideas and raise a glass in celebration of New York City and its heritage. We got a special tour that included cups of tea on arrival, a look at the interesting collection of hard hats and other safety gear worn in the space, and a peek at the truly beautiful antique printing press that is used to produce the labels and other printed materials for ICD and their partner organizations.

D I Y: Industry City Distillery takes the “Do It Yourself” mentality to a level that many of us strive towards. They have built a distillery from reused and re-purposed materials, carefully designing and building everythingfromscratch;walkingthroughtheirspacewilldefinitelyhaveyouconjuring imagesofRubeGoldberg contraptions and Young Frankenstein.So, why have they decided to create more work for themselves? Their combined knowledge and skill sets makes them capable of creating everything, including their machinery and yeast, by hand. This, in turn, isoftenmorecostefficientandallowsthemtofullytestandimproveeachstepofthedistillationprocess. Their ability to carefully manipulate the taste and quality of their vodka is unlike many other distilleries, and the end product is ultimately of a higher calibre. Building the equipment themselves has allowed the distillerytoobserve,learnandcontroltheyeast(astrainfirstisolatedonsugarbeets)todiscoverwhatworks and what does not work when it comes to the taste of “No. 2” vodka.

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THE CITY FOUNDRYwww.thecityfoundry.com

The City Foundry is a research and design group focused on improving small-scale manufacturing processes through the blending of science and art. The Foundry relies on both financial and barterexchange of goods for materials.

OUR TO DO LIST:Secureandoutfita6000SQFTmanufacturingfacilityCreate a highly advanced distillation processDevelop a small alcohol fuelled turbine engineFind and purchase a derelict power station

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POST-INDUSTRIAL MICRO ENTERPRISEwww.fastcodesign.com

InasmallgarageinCedarPark,TexasoutsideofAustin,thereisthestartofanewcompanythatreflectsanemergingtrend insmallbusiness.RussellAndersen isusingthepost-industrial refuseofAmerica’scomputer-aided manufacturing revolution to create a new type of micro enterprise-one that is built around aging high-tech tools and very niche markets enabled by Internet-based social networks and GAAP accounting. Now, in his garage, Andersen designs and fabricates a range of these specialty gears based on his extensive personal experience and he then sells them directly around the world via several of these social network sites, like mtbr.com dedicated to this type of mountain biking and recently through his own site, AndersenMachine.com.He is using a fully-depreciated, 20-plus-year-old CNC (computer-numeric-controlled) milling machine he sourcedfromCraigslistforlessthanone-tenthofitscostnew,andhe’srunningitwithequallyantiquatedcomputerhardwareandsoftware.Withthatminimalistequipment,hebuildsveryspecificcustombikecomponents that he sells around the world to a very unique customer.An emerging trend in mountain biking is to build bikes with 29-inch wheels (called 29ers) instead of the more prevalent 26-inch wheels. Riders began to discover that the front gears (chain rings) designed for the smaller wheels were not as suitable on the bigger wheels. They needed smaller chain rings which were hardtofitonthecranksetsdesignedfor26bikes.Butthismarketissosmallmostmanufacturerssimplydo not make them, so passionate riders got together in bike shops and social networks to discuss this dilemma, creating a convergence of need, demand, and opportunity.Being small and dynamic, he can quickly design or modify a chain ring and he gets direct feedback from his customers. Because he is machining each one, there is no need for special tooling. Effectively, each one is built like a prototype: very precise, very high quality; and about twice as expensive as conventional chain rings although well worth it to those who seek them out.Thereareotherexamplesofmicroenterprisesfindingspecialtymarketsviadedicatedsocialnetworks.There are folks making specialty sports car racing parts, specialty camera accessories, and specialty Jeeppartsandmoretosmallnichemarketsofenthusiaststhatallhavecommonandspecificneeds.There have also been folks setting up little job shops in their garage, bidding on machine projects via other sites.SomeofthesefolksarerefugeesofAmerica’sindustrieswhoareturningtothesemicromarketsasa means of sustenance.

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FOLLY FOR A FLYOVERwww.follyforaflyover.co.uk

On24thJune,abuildingwill appear in thegapbetween theeast andwestbound trafficof theA12.Transforming the cavernous undercroft where the motorway crosses the Lea Navigation Canal, Folly for a Flyover will host a six week programme of waterside cinema, performance and play.

By day the folly will host a café, workshops and events and boat trips exploring the surrounding waterways. At night there will be screenings ranging from animation classics to early and experimental cinema with live scores, light shows and performances.

Like a giant construction-kit, the folly will be built over the period of a month by a team of volunteers. Having served one purpose it will be disassembled at the end of the summer, and the components will findnewusesacrossthelocalarea.

[ ]Hand-builtwith local, reclaimedanddonatedmaterials, the Folly draws influence from thesurroundingred-brickbuildingsofHackneyWick,posingasanimaginarypieceofthearea’spast, a building trapped under the motorway.

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BY JOOSTwwwbyjoost.com

[ ]Dutch-born Joost (pronounced “Yoast”) Bakker is a discipline-crossing creative and visionary. Afifth-generationtulipfarmer,hehascreatedcelebratedinstallationsthatfusenaturewitharaw, industrial sensibility, encouraging discussion about sustainable design practices in the process. Known for his large-scale public works and vertical gardens; his work is created using “the stuff other people throw out”.

Built by Joost is the construction arm of By Joost. The company offers sustainable design and buildingsfor commercial applications and sustainable building methods to all facets of the residential market. Built byJoostusestheProductiveBuildingSystemTMdevelopedbyJoostBakker;Joost’suniquemethodofusing straw bale insulation set into a recyclable steel frame.Built by Joost challenges traditional construction methods and materials. Joost has initiated the development and production of formaldehyde free plywood and charcoal embedded Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Board. Thesesignificantadvancesinwhatarewidelyusedmaterialsarerevolutionisingtheconstructionindustry.

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MAKE LONDON, LONDON http://makelondon.wordpress.com/about/

MAKELondon looks at manufacturing and craft in urban spaces. The messy business of making material ‘stuff’isoften-neglectedintheexcitementforthenewandsupposedlyvirtualdigitaleconomy.Inglobalcities like London, the material economy of manufacturing is conventionally seen to be in terminal decline, to be supplanted by the work of business services and the creative or knowledge sectors.

MAKELondon engages with debates about the role of manufacturing and craft in the city and documents thecontinuingrelevanceofmakingthings,eveninathoroughly‘post-industrial’city.Itanalysestheurbanbuilt spaces and location requirements for new forms of small-scale material production.

MAKELondon is written and produced by Karl Baker, a recent graduate of the Cities Programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Karl wrote his dissertation on the opportunities of ‘industry-led’urbanregeneration,analysingasiteinIslingtonLondontorevealthepotentialandthechal-lenges of small-scale industry in London. A New Zealander now living in London, Karl also works on urban transport and eco-cities.

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GREENPOINT MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN CENTRE, NEW YORK http://www.gmdconline.org/

TheGreenpointManufacturingandDesignCentre(GMDC)isthepremiernonprofitindustrialdeveloperin New York City. Since its inception in 1992, GMDC has rehabilitated six North Brooklyn manufacturing buildings for occupancy by small manufacturing enterprises, artisans and artists. Currently GMDC owns and manages four of these properties, which together represent more than half a million square feet of space. These buildings are occupied by more than 100 businesses that together employ more than 500 people.The Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Centre creates and sustains viable manufacturing sectors in urban neighbourhoods through planning, developing, and managing real estate and offering other related services.Here’showwedoit: - We acquire, rehab, and manage derelict industrial properties. -Weserveasafinancialintermediary. - We act as advocates by building coalitions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. -Wecreateandinfluencepolicyandtheallocationofresourcesrelatedtomanufacturingand/or industrial development. -Webuildthefieldandpromoteourmodelbypublishing,presentingatconferences,and providing technical assistance to other communities.New York City needs industrial real estate that provides small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises withaffordable,flexibleproductionspace.GMDC, in addition to managing, maintaining, and improving its properties, actively looks for still more opportunitiestouncoverunder-utilisedbuildings.Craftingpublic/privatefinancing,engagingstaffinbuildingdesign and reconstruction, and marketing newly renovated spaces to small businesses, manufacturers, andcraftsmanareallwaysGMDCcaninfluencehowunusedpropertieswillbereinventedandpushitsmixed-use agenda. GMDC seeks to position itself as a national model that could be replicated. Keeping light manufacturing and artisans in American cities is paramount to the preservation of buoyant mixed-use communities such as Greenpoint. As long as visionary designers, committed manufacturers, and active small businesses look to grow and thrive in New York City, GMDC will strive to help them realize their ambitions.

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INDIE CAPITALISM www.fastcodesign.com

Bruce Nussbaum over at fastcodesign.com has been blogging lately on creativity and what he coins is a newtrend:IndieCapitalism.Youwon’tlearnaboutitinbusinessschool,hearaboutitfromWallStreet,or see it in Palo Alto. But if you spend time in Bushwick, Brooklyn, or on Rivington Street in Manhattan, you just might detect the outlines of an emerging “indie” capitalism. This new form of capitalism is not just about conventional startups and technology and venture capitalists. If you add up all the trends under way today, I believe we are beginning to see the start of something original, and perhaps wonderful. It mayprovetobetheeconomicandsocialantidotetothefailedfinancialcapitalismandcronycapitalismthat no longer delivers economic value in terms of jobs, income, and taxes to the people of this country.It’s too early to define the exact shapeof this latest iteration of capitalism, butwhat indie capitalismappearstohaveisadistinctsensibility.Let’stakealookatafewkeyfeatures.The four traits of the Indie Capitalism are:

[ ] - It is local, not global, and openly cares about the community and jobs. - It is not transaction, but socially, based. - It is a maker system of economics based on creating new value, not trading old value. - Materials and products are embedded with heightened meaning.

When I look at these four traits of indie capitalism, three foundational building blocks can be extracted:

Relationships – Between people, cultures, the world and its raw materials.Emotional Import – People have histories and they live in contexts that can sometimes dehumanize. People need to feel!Value – This is often tied into the emotional level of experience. When products or services uniquely meet needs,andthey’resharedinthecontextofrelationships,theyhavevalue.Thisgoesbeyondtechnologicalvalue. Things have value because of the story they tell.

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OCCUPY DESIGN - DESIGN PRACTICE FOR THE COMMON GOOD?www.occupydesign.org.uk

Does design practice today work for the common good? Are our cultural institutions serving the interests of common people and the planet? While capitalism imposes harsh austerity on the public – it is also increasingprofitsforelites,the1%.Thisdynamicisathreattodemocracyandourcollectivefutures,arethesedangersarecamouflagedbyadesignindustrythatfailstotakethecriseswefaceseriouslyenough?

Noel Douglas will show current work from the Occupy movement in both the UK and abroad, highlighting how graphic designers has a vital role in current protest and the imagining of a new society. While Tzortzis Ralliswillgodiscusshisworkfor‘OccupiedTimes’ThenewspaperoftheOccupyLondon,whichhassince grown into a journal in its own right. Other members of Occupy Design UK will be in attendance to promote what promises to be a lively discussion.

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