ArtisanArmy Development Plan Submission Proposal for the creation of a sustainability concept project drawing on the cross cutting themes of the 2017-2023 Fingal Development Plan. ‘The Fingal Food Forest’ is proposed as phase 1 (environment) of a broader sustainability concept project addressing the multifaceted challenges of our time. The Food Forest proposal is positioned as the next natural iteration of Fingal’s progressive policies around open spaces & public amenities including community gardens, allotments & spectacular parklands. The proposal is based on creating a resource that builds community for Fingal residents while also offering a unique tourism offering for the county building upon its rich horticultural heritage. 30 Second Concept Statement Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social space creating a resilient & abundant landscape based on the principles of Permaculture – People Care, Earth Care & Fair Share. Key Principles: (1) Biodiversity (2) Showcasing sustainable solutions (3) Social Resource (4) Creating a unique space What is a food forest? Parks 2.0 A forest garden or food forest is a three dimensional landscape made up of trees shrubs & ground cover plants with a focus on perennials. All of the plants are of use either directly to people such as fruit, nuts, perennial herbs & plants or indirectly like pollinator & soil building nitrogen plants. In a woodland ecosystem natural processes & cycles maintain the soil fertility and the health of the plants indefinitely. A food forest replicates these natural processes & interdependencies but to human ends. Introduction video to forest gardening - www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkRkyLpkTOI

1. ‘The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn’
Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. - ArtisanArmy – Sustainability Concept Project
- Proposal – The Fingal Food Forest
- Benefits – For Future Living

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ArtisanArmy
Sustainability Concept Project

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Concept statement:
Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social
space creating a resilient & abundant landscape based on
the principles of Permaculture.
Permaculture is the conscious design & maintenance of
agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability,
and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious
integration of the landscape with people providing their food,
energy, shelter &other material & non-material needs in a
sustainable way.
Graham Bell, The Permaculture Way
- Growing inequality
- Jobs & growth
- Social instability
- Fractured society
- Short-termism
-The Commons
-True wealth
- Fresh quality food
- Community
- Non material well
being
- Monoculture
- Market driven
- Inefficient
-Wasteful
- Fossil fuels
- Bio-diverse
- Soil quality
- Local needs driven
- PermanentAgri.
- FosterArtisan prod.
- Consumer society
- Global market
- Extractive
- Unsustainable
- Inequality
- Reinvesting surplus
back into system
- Refocus on local
-Sustainable
- Socially equitable
1 2 3

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Concept statement:
Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social space creating a resilient &
abundant landscape based on the principles of Permaculture.
(1) Agency facilitating greater biodiversity
• Project to create ecological intensification
• Lifescape: enhancing soil, air, water, plants, animals & people
• Richness of the sensory experience i.e. childhood development
• Greater diversity increases resilience of natural ecosystems
• Research & tourism potential – agro-ecology & perennial agriculture
• Community resource & experiential tourism – access to the landscape
• Moving from a linear to a holistic approach to land use

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Concept statement:
Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social space creating a resilient &
abundant landscape based on the principles of Permaculture.
(2) Self sufficient & sustainable systems solutions
• Demonstrate practical first hand experience of sustainable solutions
• Showcase integrated green transport – alternative to the car
• Explore green energy production
• Passive / Earthship - low impact building , high efficiency & location specific
• Water conservation, catchment, treatment & reuse
• Event centre / forum for discussion of concepts for future living
• Large scale landscape design – creating one self sustaining ecosystem
• Promoting self sufficiency, empowering community & min cost of living

7. 5/25/20157
Concept statement:
Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social space creating a resilient &
abundant landscape based on the principles of Permaculture.
(3) Social resource for learning, development & recreation
• Shared resource for education, community, events & recreation
• School linked environmental & ecological awareness programmes
• Creating a ‘nature rich’ sensory environment / learning experience
• Community resource based on promoting intrinsic values
• Building greater resilience into our communities - environ / social / economic
• Developing sense of shared ownership & social inclusion – better life outcomes
• Fostering a ‘sharing economy’ - facilitating easier access to resources
• Building social cohesion / shared experience / positive vision for the future

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Concept statement:
Transition project to radically reinvent the utility of social space creating a resilient &
abundant landscape based on the principles of Permaculture.
(4) Create a space that is aesthetically, socially & spiritually stimulating
• Creating a unique space to cultivate human potential
• Recognising inspirational role of nature in our lives
• Acknowledging the importance of community to enrich our lives
• Reinstating the Commons / democratization of access to resources
• Tiering of value / benefits from the landscape
• Universal appeal - age, gender, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic groups

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Proposal
The Fingal Food Forest
Phase 1 Environment

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What is a food forest?
In a woodland ecosystem natural
processes & cycles maintain the
soil fertility and the health of the
plants.
Benefits:
• Climate change
• Health & wellbeing
• Promotes community
• Educational resource
• Flora & Fauna
• Recreation
• Food & materials
Martin Crawford
Agroforestry Research Trust UK
Growing food sustainably is becoming more &
more important in the light of our changing
climate. Forest gardening is a way of working
with nature that is not only productive and
requires minimal maintenance, but also has
great environmental benefits.

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Placemaking
Helps transform public spaces into vital places
that highlight local assets, spur rejuvenation &
serve common needs.
Benefits
• Creates improved accessibility
• Builds & supports the local economy
• Social Interaction
• Promotes health & wellbeing
• Nurtures & defines sense of community
• Promotes sense of comfort

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Benefits
- Fingal SWOT Analysis
- For Future Living

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STRENGTHS competitive advantage
• Proximity to Dublin & Open Spaces Strategy
• Sustainability – key theme Dev Plan 2017
• Youngest demographic in country
• Established agricultural heritage & land
• Benefit residents & promotes tourism
• Scalable project – phased development
WEAKNESSES relative disadvantage
• Not on Dublin tourism radar i.e. vs. Wicklow
• Limited access to rural landscape – intensive agri
• Urban rural divide
• Transport infrastructure
• Green infrastructure
• Limited anchor tourist attractions
•
•
THREATS risk factors to avoid
• Loosing first mover advantage
• Funding
• Suitable sites for scalable development
• Local transport / accessibility
• Lack of investment in green infrastructure for
experiential tourism
• Challenge communicating NB of intrinsic value
OPPORTUNITIES to exploit for benefit
• Beautiful coastal & historic heritage
• First mover advantage
• Solution based - future living key theme Dev 2017
• Community / education / social inclusion / food
• Anchor attraction for North County Dublin
• Potential source of future council revenue / EU funds
• Development resources within existing cost base
Community
Commercial
Tourism
Amenity
Placemaking
Education
Agri / Food
Resource

14. BIODIVERSITY
Agency facilitating greater
biodiversity
Moving from a linear to a holistic
approach to land use.
- Biodiversity & richness of the sensory experience
- Building the quality of the soil & variety of its output
- From market led monoculture to polyculture
- Ecological design
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15. BIODIVERSITY
Agency facilitating greater
biodiversity
Moving from a linear to a holistic
approach to land use.
- Biodiversity & richness of the sensory experience
- Building the quality of the soil & variety of its output
- From market led monoculture to polyculture
- Ecological design
SHOWCASE SOLUTIONS
Showcase true self
sufficient & sustainable
systems solutions
Holistic approach to
environmental design with
primacy of the local.
- An educational experience on sustainable living
- Showcase ‘permanent agriculture’ sustainable produce
- Showcase integrated water resource mgt.
- Showcase sustainable construction & energy solutions
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16. BIODIVERSITY
Agency facilitating greater
biodiversity
Moving from a linear to a holistic
approach to land use.
- Biodiversity & richness of the sensory experience
- Building the quality of the soil & variety of its output
- From market led monoculture to polyculture
- Ecological design
SHOWCASE SOLUTIONS
Showcase true self
sufficient & sustainable
systems solutions
Holistic approach to
environmental design with
primacy of the local.
- An educational experience on sustainable living
- Showcase ‘permanent agriculture’ sustainable produce
- Showcase integrated water resource mgt.
- Showcase sustainable construction & energy solutions
SOCIAL RESOURCE
Social resource for
learning, development &
recreation
A unique social space
promoting true sustainable
living.
- Restoring the Commons to the people of Ireland
- An equitable approach to democratization of wealth
- A unique social space for learning, development &
recreation
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17. 5/25/2015
BIODIVERSITY
Agency facilitating greater
biodiversity
Moving from a linear to a holistic
approach to land use.
- Biodiversity & richness of the sensory experience
- Building the quality of the soil & variety of its output
- From market led monoculture to polyculture
- Ecological design
SHOWCASE SOLUTIONS
Showcase true self
sufficient & sustainable
systems solutions
Holistic approach to
environmental design with
primacy of the local.
- An educational experience on sustainable living
- Showcase ‘permanent agriculture’ sustainable produce
- Showcase integrated water resource mgt.
- Showcase sustainable construction & energy solutions
SOCIAL RESOURCE
Social resource for
learning, development &
recreation
A unique social space
promoting true sustainable
living.
- Restoring the Commons to the people of Ireland
- An equitable approach to democratization of wealth
- A unique social space for learning, development &
recreation
UNIQUE SPACE
Create a space that is
aesthetically, socially &
spiritually stimulating
A unique social space
cultivating human potential
- Rural development – adding value to the landscape
- Recognising nature as the purest form of inspiration
- Need for sacred spaces to foster human potential
- Socially cohesive project
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