Ep 8 - Implementing a New Human Settlement Theory - Mr Steven Liaros - a podcast by Common Alternatives

Whilst the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables offers significant environmental benefits, the other transition—from a centralized to a distributed energy system—underpins a disruptive model for planning cities, towns and villages. A local energy micro-grid can power a local water micro-grid, which in turn can irrigate a local food system, offering a community the opportunity to harvest, store and distribute food, water and energy within their immediate catchment. Designing the layout of the built environment in the form of a campus or resort—with smaller private spaces and a wide range of accessible shared spaces and facilities—would also minimize energy demand while simultaneously providing opportunities for social interaction and connection. Creating places where local residents can collaborate to provide their basic needs is a form of Place-Making as well as an achievable alternative to the Universal Basic Income (UBI). The direct delivery of basic needs—consumed by the producing community—rather than the provision of money to pay for the purchase of these same needs, addresses the issue of wealth distribution but also re-imagines how wealth is created. It requires communities to take responsibility for their local environment, supporting infrastructure and others in their community. Described as a Circular Economy Innovation Hub, such a planning strategy adopts the principles of the Circular Economy—systems thinking, life-cycle planning and striving for zero waste. By integrating the water, energy, food and built systems; waste can be re-purposed, and the overall efficiency of all component systems is significantly increased. The more efficient delivery of the identified natural needs then offers residents more free time for innovation and creativity. Finally, such places are not isolated villages but hubs or nodes in a network, connecting and collaborating with others in their bio-region and beyond. Discussions are currently underway with Local Councils in Northern NSW and South Australia to develop pilot projects that would provide tangible examples of this form of regenerative land development. The process of land development also proposes to concurrently inform land use and infrastructure planning policies that would encourage the replication of such Circular Economy Innovation Hubs.   Mr Steven Liaros has qualifications in Civil Engineering, Town Planning and a Masters in Environmental Law. With 30 years of experience in local government and as a consultant, Steven has expertise in strategic planning, infrastructure funding and in the negotiation of planning agreements. His core interest is the relationship between public infrastructure and private developments. He is currently undertaking a PhD research project at The University of Sydney's Department of Political Economy with the aim of designing a replicable process for sustainable, resilient and affordable land development. Specifically, this involves the development of public policies and economic strategies that would drive the implementation of the Circular Economy and Steady State Economy as a framework for building resilient and globally connected, local communities.  

Alternative Futures and Regional Prospects Symposium Working across Differences, beyond Carbon, Capital and Commodity  Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd of November 2018 Organizers: The University of Newcastle Alternative Futures Network, Common Alternatives Network (http://thecommonalts.com/); hosted by The University of Technology Sydney

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