It wasn't until one landed on me that I realised that some termites can fly. As we huddled around the one fan on the Sala (communal building) at Panya Project (Moo Bahn Mae Jo, near Tae Taeng, Chiang Mai) we watched the huge array of insects and bugs come and join us - a small … Continue reading Heat, humidity, bugs and eco-building in Thailand
Matavenero, León, Spain
High in the mountains of León province, north west Spain, is an eco-village crafted from the site of an abandoned village. Unfortunately I did not make it to the site and there is an excellent first-hand account by Tony Wrench in Permaculture Magazine if you want to hear from someone what it was like. However, drawing on … Continue reading Matavenero, León, Spain
Trying to visit Matavenero … and failing
I am arrived in Bembibre, west of Leon, north west Spain, mid-afternoon. It immediately struck me as a Spanish version of my home town, functional but lacking any culture and many facilities. I was not inclined to stay. After asking in a cafe I found the taxi rank and it became clear there was only … Continue reading Trying to visit Matavenero … and failing
Challenges of research – going it alone
As a geographer who has always conducted empirical data collection - that is gone into the world and talked to people, looked at what they are doing, taken photographs and recorded interviews - I am experienced in fieldwork. I have visited remote forest protest camps in Australia, interviewed Indigenous activists in rural Queensland, survived flooded tents in … Continue reading Challenges of research – going it alone
El Valle de Sensaciones, Yátor, Spain
[Versión en español abajo] Hidden in a steep-sided valley just south of Yátor in the Alpujarras, Spain, el valle de sensaciones is a marvel of art, invention and gorgeous eco-buildings. It's original intension was to to be a cultural centre and to create an 'artistic sustainable paradise'. This is no eco-village nor eco-community and there are very few residents. Achim, the … Continue reading El Valle de Sensaciones, Yátor, Spain
ECO-HOMES + COMMUNITIES 