The Sustainability Resource Center moved! Its last location in the oldest building on campus did not provide much awareness or accessibility. Now, the center is located on Commonwealth Avenue, across from Architecture and Planning. The location is close to the library and the main plaza. At the moment, this is what it looks like:
The landscaping is wearing its winter coat. The concrete is plain, and the space is unremarkable to say the least. However, as I stated in my last post, there is great opportunity for thriving edible landscape and creation of place here. At most, this whole landscaped area could be converted. The pre-existing bunching grasses and landscape trees could accompany berry bushes, herbal medicinals, flowering pollinators, and perennial vegetables. And at the very least, hanging vertical structures could liven up the entrance and provide aesthetic, healthy snacks for passers by.
Hanging gardens could easily attach to these concrete poles and soak up all the floodwater that saturates in precipitation.
These boxes have historically drained poorly and lead to flooding in the lower entrance area. Additional organic matter and living plants could eliminate these problems and utilize Utah's precious water with the respect it deserves. Redirecting rainwater is a large component of edible landscaping. Making a beautiful, artistic water catchment system piping into this garden could be a really great way to demonstrate the applied ethos of the SRC.
This Monday, I will be meeting with Myron Willson, the director of the SRC and Sue Pope, director of University of Utah grounds crew. Sue experiences pressure from all sides to make the campus look one way or another. An image of homogeneity and clinical cleanliness is the expectation for most large universities. But with principles of urban ecology and permaculture, the campus can be much more purposeful, attractive and sustainably interactive.
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