Beyond the borders of our known maps lies a great city. Named by her people as Babushka, it is founded upon many dimensions.
Energy pulses within her walls, neither created nor destroyed but harnessed to make the city more complex and whole.
Her people synthesise nature’s forces and material flows to seamlessly construct the city’s form with ecology. This tireless project is without end for Babushkanites.
However, it is fuelled by the process of participatory community decision-making which is just as important as the decisions being made.
For the Babushkanites, a sustainable city cannot exist without transformational leadership exercised by all to guide creative change.
This shared belief of stewardship nurtures a conscious creative culture that manifests itself in the city’s way of life, art and architecture. As a result, no other city’s identity could be mistaken for Babushka’s own.
Finally, one more fact I give to the traveller who seeks to visit Babushka.
The spirit of this city is alive and tangible. Born from culture, collective vision and purpose, Babushka is the collective spirit of her people.
Her spirit will touch yours at first glance and during this cosmic dance you will find within joy beyond compare.
At the moment of parting, regrettably you will leave ever changed by the experience.
Babushka (05/11/2005) in Design Shifts, a poetic journey through post-normal times.
A vision of a future city based on my PhD research. The poem describes the six critical concerns or focus areas of city futures for holistic city development. The poem and research were presented at the conference: “Global Soul, Global Mind, Global Action: Futuring from Survival to Thrival”. Tamkang University, Taipai.
I use Babushka as a metaphor for nested holons.
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