PALEMBANG. Permaculture is a design system that works towards harmonious integration of landscape and people to provide food, shelter, energy and other needs in a sustainable way. It takes into account food production, structures, technologies, energy, natural resources, landscape, animal systems, plant systems, and social and economic structures. It is applicable to urban and rural conditions and any scale of design.

The 10 basic principles of Permaculture:

1. The Principle of Diversity – Aims to integrate a variety of beneficial species of food, plants and animals into design. This builds a stable interactive polycultural system which provides for human needs and also for the needs of other species.

2. The Principle of Edge Effect – In general, there is more energy and more diversity of life on the edge where two types of natural systems overlap. On these borders one can access the resources of both sides. Using the edge effect, and other natural patterns that you observe, creates the best effect

3. The Principle of Energy Planning – Placing the elements of your design in such a way as to minimise the use of energy(including fossil fuels & human labor). Utilizing the energy and resources that you have, first on-site and then from outside the system, as effectively as possible. Onsite energy resources include natural forces such as gravity, windpower, waterpower. This saves time, energy and money.

4. The Principle of Energy Cycling – In a natural system there is no waste or pollution. The output from one natural process becomes the resource for another. Recycle and reuse all of resources as many times as possible.

5. The Principle of Scale – Creating “human-scale” systems. Choose simple, appropriate technologies for use in designs. Only create systems that are managable.Start small and take achievable steps towards
an ideal goal.

6. The Principle of Biological Resources – Using natural methods and processes to achieve tasks. Find things in nature (plants, animals, microbes) that are supportive of the system design and minimize outside energy input.

7. The Principle of Multiple Elements – Support each vital need and essential function in more than one way, so that a temporary failure in one element will not stop the functioning of others. Also, recognize that there is almost always more than one way to achieve any task.

8. The Principle of Multiple Functions – Most things can be used in a variety of ways and for a variety of functions. One rule of thumb in Permaculture is to try to design three uses for every element of the system. This can save space, time and complication in any particular project.

9. The Principle of Natural Succession – Work with nature and the processes of natural systems.
Anticipate future developments through research and observation when necessary.

10. The Principle of Relative Location – Place every element of your design in relationship
to others so that they benefit from each other. For example, store tools near where they will be used.