Holmgren's 40 Yrs: Abundant Permaculture Design Webinar 3
By David Holmgren
TL;DR: David Holmgren presents the RetroSuburbia framework for transforming suburban homes into resilient, productive ecosystems, integrating permaculture principles for sustainable living.
- RetroSuburbia transforms homes into resilient, productive ecosystems.
- Learn passive water harvesting and soil building methods.
- Manage productive gardens and small livestock in limited spaces.
- Achieve self-reliance through low-carbon living practices.
- Apply holistic design for abundance in any property size.
Why it matters: Implementing Holmgren's strategies can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and increase household self-reliance, contributing to regional resilience.
Do this next: Explore the RetroSuburbia framework to identify specific strategies applicable to your living space.
Recommended for: Homeowners, renters, and designers interested in practical permaculture applications for urban and suburban environments.
David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture, delivers a comprehensive webinar on transforming suburban landscapes into resilient, high-yielding ecosystems using the RetroSuburbia framework. Drawing on over 40 years of practical experience developing Melliodora, one of the world's most significant permaculture demonstration sites, Holmgren shares field-tested strategies for redesigning any living space—from high-rise apartments to traditional suburban blocks. The presentation covers four essential components of sustainable household design: passive water harvesting techniques that capture and utilize rainwater efficiently rather than allowing it to run off; soil building methods that transform depleted soil into nutrient-dense foundations through biological processes; management of productive gardens and small livestock systems adapted to limited spaces; and integrated systems design that creates resilience through interconnected elements. Holmgren emphasizes the RetroSuburbia strategy as a practical approach to energy descent, demonstrating how households can achieve self-reliance and reduce carbon footprints through low-carbon living practices. The webinar is part of the Soil Food Web Foundation's regenerative design series, which integrates permaculture principles with soil biology expertise. Participants learn how to apply permaculture's holistic design methodology to create abundance regardless of property size or urban density. The session includes interactive elements allowing attendees to ask questions directly to Holmgren, making it accessible for both beginners exploring sustainable living and experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of integrated household systems. This represents a unique opportunity to learn directly from a permaculture pioneer whose work has shaped the field for decades.