The Rise of Urban Permaculture in Shanghai

In the shadow of Shanghai's towering skyscrapers, a quiet revolution is taking place. Once a wasteland filled with garbage and debris, a nearly half-hectare plot near a freight rail line in the city's northeast corner has been transformed into a thriving vegetable garden. This isn't just any garden—it's a testament to the power of permaculture, an urban practice that is beginning to take root in China.

Permaculture, short for "permanent agriculture," is a design science rooted in ecology that integrates land, resources, people, and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies. While it may be a new term in China, the philosophy behind it is anything but foreign. For centuries, Chinese traditions have emphasized the harmony between man and nature. Today, as cities like Shanghai yearn for greener spaces, permaculture offers a way to restore that ancient relationship.

Architect Wei Min, co-founder of Shanghai Clover Nature, the group behind the transformation of the once-neglected plot, describes permaculture as "an urban practice, like all our projects." But as Wei points out, permaculture is often misunderstood. "Many just see it as agriculture. But it's actually a philosophy, and it's really fun. The idea of restoring the relationship between man and nature can easily resonate with Chinese. It is in line with centuries of our traditions and with the current yearning for greener cities."

The roots of permaculture trace back to 1978, when Australian researchers Bill Mollison and David Holmgren coined the term to propose a harmonious relationship with the environment, in contrast to the industrial agriculture practices that deplete nutrients, waste water, and degrade soil life. Since then, permaculture has spread across the world, but its presence in China is still emerging.

This December, the first Chinese Permaculture Conference will be held in Shanghai, coinciding with the release of the Chinese translation of Rosemary Morrow's seminal work, "Earth Restorer's Guide to Permaculture." Morrow, an 80-year-old Australian permaculture pioneer, has spent decades applying permaculture principles across the globe, from Uganda to Northern Europe, and now her work is set to inspire a new generation in China.

The translation of Morrow's book is a significant milestone for the permaculture movement in China. Chen Chen, the editor overseeing the Chinese edition, believes that permaculture aligns with the growing awareness of environmental protection and community-building in the country. "Instead of large construction, you can now see change going smaller and spreading quickly. Community gardens, now all over Shanghai, are one example of urban micro-regeneration," Chen explains.

Morrow herself is optimistic about the future of permaculture in China. "I hope these examples will be seen as pioneers and thousands more will follow," she says. "It is also important that Chinese knowledge and experience get translated for others in similar bioregions across the world."

Permaculture is not just about growing food—it's about fostering resilience in our communities and ecosystems. It draws from ancient wisdom, such as the practices detailed in Franklin Hiram King's "Farmers of Forty Centuries: Or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan," and applies them in innovative ways to meet the challenges of the modern world. The Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden in Shanghai's Yangpu District, another project by Shanghai Clover Nature, is one such example. What was once a strip of unused land between two housing complexes is now a flourishing 2,000 square-meter vegetable garden, a space where people of all ages can come together and reconnect with nature.

For Morrow, permaculture is a way of life. She lives what she teaches, carefully considering the environmental impact of every dollar she spends. "I practice it in small and big things," she says. "Where is your money going? Does it harm the environment? From these actions, life becomes more creative and fun, and you actually spend less."

As China continues to urbanize and develop, the principles of permaculture offer a path forward that honors both the past and the future. By restoring the balance between people and nature, permaculture can help build greener, more resilient cities that are not only sustainable but also deeply connected to the land and traditions that have sustained Chinese civilization for millennia.