Permablitz London PDC: Resilient Design for a Greener City

Permablitz London is offering a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course that will run from May 16, 2026, to November 29, 2026. This face-to-face course is structured across seven weekends, with sessions held from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The specific dates for these weekends are May 16-17, June 13-14, July 11-12, September 12-13, October 3-4, November 7-8, and November 28-29.

The course fee is £600, with an early bird discount available for £500 if booked by March 31, 2026. The primary venues for the course are Cecil Sharp House (NW1 7AY) and Kentish Town City Farm (NW5 4BN), both located in London. Additionally, the program will include visits to various other permaculture sites throughout London to provide practical exposure.

This PDC program is designed to cover the core principles of permaculture, including its ethical framework, ecological foundations, and practical design methodologies. Participants will learn a range of tools and skills applicable to diverse contexts. Specific topics include retrofitting residential properties to enhance water conservation, minimize waste, and improve energy efficiency. The curriculum also addresses the design of gardens and public spaces to foster food production, boost local biodiversity, and create natural habitats. Furthermore, the course emphasizes developing positive intergenerational community connections by leveraging individual strengths and fostering collaboration.

A significant aspect of the course is its strong focus on the practical application of permaculture concepts. Upon successful completion of the PDC, attendees will be equipped to organize and participate in "permablitzes" to implement their designs. A permablitz is a community event where volunteers come together to transform a space using permaculture principles, offering hands-on learning and mutual support. This course is officially certified by the Permaculture Association UK.

The training will be delivered by a team of experienced instructors from Permablitz London, including Kayode Olafimihan, Hugh Livingstone, and Matt Phillpott, along with guest instructors. Kayode Olafimihan, a permaculture designer and teacher, is the founder of Permablitz London and chair of the London Permaculture Network. He has developed over 20 permaculture designs, including award-winning projects at Cecil Sharp House and the Josiah Braithwaite Community Garden. He also co-designed community gardens at Northwick Park Community Garden, Battersea Arts Centre Community Garden, and London’s Community Kitchen, and coordinates the annual London Permaculture Festival.

Hugh Livingstone, a permaculture designer, trainer, and co-founder of Permablitz London, teaches on their certified design training and urban eco-refurbishment workshops. He offers consultancy services for integrating home and garden through permaculture designs and provides instruction on urban poultry keeping.

Susannah Hall, a permaculture designer, teacher, and organizer for Permablitz London, won an award for her permaculture balcony garden in 2021. She has co-designed several community gardens and coordinates the London Permaculture Festival.

Matt Phillpott, who completed his PDC with Permablitz London in 2023, teaches on the Introduction to Permablitz Design course and has spoken at the London Permaculture Festival. His design work focuses on integrating animals like chickens and quails into food production and developing zero-waste food systems. He is also an educator and designer of online learning, with a background in the history of honeybees and food.

Permablitz London, established in 2013, has created a supportive network that facilitates the design and installation of edible, wildlife-friendly permaculture systems across London through permablitzes. These free, open-to-