town lake city

the PHUM

water color sketch of the phum component to townlakecity

the use of a substrate (i.e.: wood) to attract fish populations
has been practiced worldwide for centuries

tree branches placed in water help capture nutrients and promote the growth of periphyton,
a food source for many species of invertebrates and fish (i.e.: tilapia)
the branches also provide a protective shelter from predators and weather

on Lok Tak Lake, in Manipur India a substantial part of that state's fish needs are met using phums:
"Floating islands formed through the dense growth of aquatic weeds and grasses . . . which are constructed by trimming the fronds of weed mats to a width of 1-2 meters and...are bent in a circular format to give a diameter of 10 to 30 meters. The two ends are held together with bamboo & ropes"(from M.C. Nandeesha*). They are then towed into place, anchored, and the ring is filled with aquatic plants forming a dense network of weeds and organic material. Houses are built on the surface and whole families live subsiding on high fish yields.

*see: http://library.enaca.org/AquacultureAsia/Articles/July-Sept-2003/7nandeesha-sept03.pdf

Town Lake City aquatic social activist project (TLC asap) HOME (under construction) the idea is to create a floating social center with research and educational facilities, phum & chinampa-style gardens, living quarters, public access, and recreation Town Lake (formed in the lower Colorado river, runs through the center of Austin) is lined w/parks & hike/bike trails and contains numerous islands
the PHUM water color sketch of the phum component to townlakecity the use of a substrate (i.e.: wood) to attract fish populations has been practiced worldwide for centuries tree branches placed in water help capture nutrients and promote the growth of periphyton, a food source for many species of invertebrates and fish (i.e.: tilapia) the branches also provide a protective shelter from predators and weather on Lok Tak Lake, in Manipur India a substantial part of that state's fish needs are met using phums: "Floating islands formed through the dense growth of aquatic weeds and grasses . . . which are constructed by trimming the fronds of weed mats to a width of 1-2 meters and...are bent in a circular format to give a diameter of 10 to 30 meters. The two ends are held together with bamboo & ropes"(from M.C. Nandeesha). They are then towed into place, anchored, and the ring is filled with aquatic plants forming a dense network of weeds and organic material. Houses are built on the surface and whole families live subsiding on high fish yields. see: http://library.enaca.org/AquacultureAsia/Articles/July-Sept-2003/7nandeesha-sept03.pdf
town lake city will be open to all:. a flotilla of boats, rafts, floating gardens, etc... we will create/provide a city center bamboo beds affixed to floatation (i.e.: pontoons) will be an ideal summer sleeping situation night time breezes temper august's brutal heat historical and legal precedent for sleeping on town lake set in the 90s by homeless activists aboard SS Homer relevance for floating cities made obvious by rising waters/temperatures worldwide Eugene Tsui's "nexus mobile floating sea city" provides an excellent model for a scaled-up ocean going city also read the Scar by China Mieville
Design sketches for town lake city: (stay tuned)