Individual Needs
Individual people and their needs are a component
of permaculture design. As with the classic chicken example, we
need to know intrinsic characteristics, products and behaviors,
and needs. While we may be inclined to generalize for the chicken,
generalizing for a particular client would be a grave error. We
may know that characteristics, products and behaviors, and needs
will fall in certain categories but we do not have knowledge of
where an individual will fall in the wide range of potential responses
to these concerns.
Characteristics will vary by gender, genetic structure, age and
health condition, family and friend characteristics and life-style
to name a few. Physical characteristics and what we can determine
of psychological and spiritual concerns are considered.
Products and behaviors may be determined. Most individuals produce
things or ideas through their work or hobbies. We all produce
some level of 'wastes'. A permaculture design is not a passive
product; it demands financial or time commitment. Therefore, understanding
behavioral patterns is essential for permaculture design. While
permaculture may be about vegetables, it is not well adapted to
the production of couch potatoes.
The concept of needs has been well classified as ranging from
the need for food and shelter through a series of hierarchical
levels to self-actualization. Separating needs from wants becomes
increasingly difficult in a consumer directed culture. However,
an attempt must be made to gain perspective on individual physical
and psychological needs in a design.
Our consideration of needs should include sensual and spiritual
needs as well. A person's need for visual order or stimulation,
things to touch, taste, smell and hear bear investigation. Places
for meditation, silence, privacy or contact with psi phenomena
might be considered.
The problem of determining another's needs is perplexing for a
designer. Those needs can not be determined from outside observation
and, to a large degree, the expression of needs must come from
the individual participant who may have difficulty expressing
them. Fortunately, designs and people's needs do change so a design
that has diversity and flexibility may be able to satisfy a reasonable
range of changing characteristics, behaviors and requirements
over time.
