Comments on: Sustainable Urban Pagan Life

By: AarTiana

AarTiana — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:21:53 +0000

Lupa, I love that you addressed this issue on your blog – and I cannot agree more! While I do for the time being live in a smaller town, I am used to city living, and I can say that people are often a problem no matter where we live! I also do not believe most people were “cut out” for living in a rural environment and isolated from others – thus, why cities have more people in them in general. It seems that only the most self-sufficient types would choose to live in isolation – and even then, I think they would benefit from some social interaction. It is true that very few of us could make those “nature communities” truly work – and our efforts would indeed be much better applied at improving where we already live (not to mention do a favor for uninterrupted nature) – bravo Lupa!!

By: maebius

maebius — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:23:17 +0000

An excellent and often over-looked facet of the eco-pagan perspective. I used to live in central metropolis and miss the diversity and relatively easy access to services there. I used to ride my bike for miles, from shops to work, and such. Now, in a more rural area, it’s much more commuting to work, and even basic things like schools. Our neighbors are not nearly as neighborly (not unkind, just less ‘communal’) here with 1/4 mile between us.

By: Paka

Paka — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:17:54 +0000

I actually like cities as an environmental ideal – I feel that the more compact structure leads to an easier distribution of resources and much *less* stress on the surrounding areas. I feel that with some resources to basically lower heat reflection and with a distribution of park space within the city, what you’ve got is a really “green” way for humanity to live in the world.

And then there’s the emotional stuff which you’ve mentioned – I look at my semi-rural upbringing, which was really emotionally starved, and compare that to say, my friend Tony, who grew up in some of the nastier parts of LA – but because it was still a city, he had access to cultural resources that made him in some ways truly privileged!

Here’s a video I found looking for stuff on where I went to college; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsrqBHEOT0k – I think it’s interesting from a civil engineering and architecture standard. The close-in, smaller-business atmosphere of the city proper, instead of breeding the sort of urban wasteland most people fear, creates a diverse and interesting community. That’s what you can do with urban areas at their best and I truly believe in that.

By: cwnmamau

cwnmamau — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:03:37 +0000

Damn you, now I’ve got another book on the wish list.

Amazing post…you said it much better than I could have.