Solaqua
Listserve: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sarapis-solaqua
Vision & Prospects
The ideas contained in this section are a rough design sketch based on convergence of intention by several interested parties late in 2012. It is an open proposal for review, development, support, and collaboration, with several pathways open for action and realization.
Solaqua is an emerging program to demonstrate systemic transition--from detritus of consumption towards generosity of co-production--on a small but compellingly holistic scale, in the spirit of art, community, transparency, and abundance.
Solaqua explores avenues to open source eco-social vitality. The project aims to connect overlooked assets with networked capacities for collaborative enterprise, creative expression, and community organizing, to achieve resilient value creation and newly equitable cultural aesthetics.
Key elements of the process at hand include:
- core team of vision-stewards and coherence-holders for the project
- partnership with existing stakeholders and other aligned entities/individuals
- sustainable income streams which help defray operational costs
- investment in guest/worker housing and food production on site
- community (local and online) outreach, enlistment, and crowd(re)sourcing
- open/peer-learning and vocational training via entrepreneurial maker-space
- Community Land Trust planning as a long-term stewardship program
These are designed in modular, replicable, synergistic form--a living systems or organismic approach to social change. The process is cyclical, and self-reinforcing based on demonstrated positive impact.
Proposed Development Tracks
- Site improvements and renovation
- Workspace and equipment
- Sustainable food systems
- Efficient, modular, mobile housing
- Media, networking, crowdsourcing
- Small enterprise development
- Immersive learning programs
- Hacker-maker member space
- Local community engagement
- Open Source Ecology GVCS startup
Organizational Forms
- Solaqua 501(c)3 non-profit maintains site access and oversight
- Non-profit partners help to operate programs and assist with outreach and finance
- Social enterprise co-op of long-term productive commercial participants
- Informal online community network of contributors and fans
- Individual and group projects of shorter duration
Background & Status
Solaqua is a non-profit umbrella organization for a range of progressive community development initiatives at a decommissioned industrial mill site in eastern New York state's Hudson Valley. It is presently a place- and vision-holding entity, with the potential for collaborative activation and partnership toward innovative peer-economy and Open Enterprise ventures, along with ongoing stewardship roles for creative projects in arts, culture, ecology, and community. The Solaqua mill site is the current operating base of the Emerging Leader Labs community-supported enterprise incubation program.
The site consists of extensive covered workspace in various modes of use and/or disrepair. There is currently an active alternative energy and building efficiency contracting company with large insulated warehouse and workshop, and a mail-order magnetics and green appliances manufacturing business. There is significant undeveloped land on an adjoining parcel that may provide basic habitat systems for seasonal work-trade residents, including agricultural production. Forest products, solar power, and clean water are abundant on the land.
Current activities (as of January, 2013) include a website overhaul, planning for a "space grant" program to encourage constructive use of the facilities, portable eco-living hardware prototyping, and organizing for expanded volunteer operations during the spring season to help gain momentum and establish capacity for larger grant funding opportunities beyond. Status reports and avenues for support or engagement will be increasingly available through the new website portal by the end of winter season. Inquiries and offerings may currently be routed through the mailing list link above.
References
Ingenio Santa Ana OSE Documentation is a good example of how an industrial facility can contribute to the OSE project.