A Non-Profit for Regenerative Communities
Micro-community concept render
Homelessness is a significant problem in Philadelphia, with an estimated 4,000 people experiencing it on any given night (1). Anyone who has visited or lived in the area is familiar with the strange feeling of the stark contrast between the homeless and the very rich living side by side. At the same time, the city faces a lack of sustainable home-building practices, with only about 10% of new homes being built to green standards (2).
Meanwhile, there are approximately 40,000 abandoned lots in Philly (3), which can contribute to negative impacts on the community. For example, these lots can become breeding grounds for pests and attract illegal activities such as dumping, graffiti, and vandalism, ultimately eroding community cohesion and safety.
These issues underscore the need for innovative solutions to address homelessness while promoting sustainable, equitable development in the city of Philadelphia and beyond.
Meet Gina
Gina is an 18-year-old student about to graduate from high school in Philadelphia.
She is passionate about social and environmental issues, and is looking to start a career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy after she graduates. Gina discovered Aula through her school and was seeking more experience in the theme of sustainable design and social impact.
Project conceptualization
During the Design for a Sustainable Future program, students learned the history of plastic, how it is made, and how it impacts our environment. Students also explored various approaches to achieving what we call a “post-petroleum future” and were exposed to ideas such as regenerative and circular design. Furthermore, we introduced biodesign as a possible solution. This included lessons and activities around biomaterials and microbiology.
To develop the idea for what Gina calls “The Quintela Project”, she began by researching trends such as homelessness, unsustainable building practices, and the prevalence of abandoned lots in Philadelphia. Through her research, Gina discovered, among many things, that it would be possible to access lots in Philadelphia, as certain organizations allow initiatives like community gardens to use otherwise unused vacant lots. This falls in line with Gina’s goal to address the need for sustainable food sources, combatting food deserts in Philly (neighborhoods with low income and low access to healthy food options).
To further develop her idea of incorporating sustainable building practices into her regenerative communities, Gina also conducted experiments with mycelium, a root-like structure of fungi, as a potential sustainable insulation material for housing. Through her research and experimentation, Gina gained valuable insights into the needs and potential solutions that would be most effective in addressing the problem of sustainable living for the homeless.
With this research in mind, Gina set out to synthesize her findings into an innovative product concept.
“What if we could create sustainable and inclusive spaces that focus on reconnecting the social gap between communities and the homeless?”
Abandoned lot in Philadelphia
The Quintela Project
The Quintela Project (Gina’s family name), is a non-profit that turns abandoned lots in Philadelphia into sustainable micro-communities. In addition, the non-profit hosts activities such as mentoring, workshops for finding jobs, and educational programs to help integrate and educate previously homeless residents back into society. Its overarching mission is to create regenerative spaces that provide homes, food, and education in a sustainable way for its most vulnerable community members. With her project, Gina aims to develop a holistic and supportive environment that helps these individuals to thrive and succeed.
Testing mycelium for insulation
One way in which the micro-communities contribute to the regeneration of the environment is through their use of sustainable materials and systems. For example, the homes in these micro-communities are inspired by biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature into the built environment in order to improve human health and well-being. The use of recycled wood and mycelium insulation also helps to reduce the demand for new materials and conserve natural resources. Showers and other water will be cleaned and used to water the gardens, and those gardens provide a source of fresh, healthy food and organic compost for the soil, helping to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting local food security.
In addition, the micro-communities help to regenerate the surrounding community through their various social and educational programs. For example, the main building of the non-profit may host activities such as mentoring, workshops for finding jobs, and educational programs to help integrate and educate previously homeless residents back into society. These programs help to support the social and economic well-being of the residents, as well as contribute to the overall vitality of the surrounding community.
Overall, the various sustainable features and social programs that the Quintela Project’s micro-communities contribute regenerate and revitalize the environment and the surrounding community.
Mycelium growth on rice husks and leaves
Conclusion
The Quintela Project has the potential to make a significant impact on the city of Philadelphia. By providing sustainable housing and support for the city's homeless population, the project would give a group of people who were previously overlooked the opportunity to become part of society. In addition, the use of sustainable materials and systems in these micro-communities would help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by cutting out the use of cement, a material that has a large carbon footprint.
In the next steps of the project, Gina plans to create a survey to collect data on the community's feedback about the idea. She also plans to research community gardens in Philadelphia to learn about how they began and what advice they have to offer. Finally, Gina intends to make the community aware of the project and find ways to involve them in its development and implementation. By bringing together circular and regenerative practices, social support, and community engagement, Gina’s project has the power to transform the lives of the city’s most vulnerable populations.
Thank you!
Reference List
"Homelessness in Philadelphia," Project HOME, accessed June 2021, https://projecthome.org/homelessness-in-philadelphia/
"Sustainable Building Practices in Philadelphia," Green Building United, accessed June 2021, https://www.greenbuildingunited.org/sustainable-building-practices-in-philadelphia
"Vacant Land in Philadelphia," Philadelphia LandCare, accessed June 2021, https://www.phila.gov/programs/landcare/vacant-land/
