My 14 year-old niece has developed a very pleasing interest in collectivism and left-wing politics; a proper teen communist. I'd like to introduce her to solarpunk but I'm not looking for YA science fiction. Any recommendations on theory and practice for a serious-minded young woman?

Create a grid structure made up from city blocks no bigger than 300 meters in length for each four sides of the blocky squares. Each square making up this grid should contain exactly one building no taller than 6 stories tall. Each of these square shaped buildings within this block should contain or house a green courtyard within its center. Therefore, it is to be made from four united buildings that create an opening within the center of the city block. This central region from within the city block shall remain free from any construction in order to form a spacious courtyard at the center of each and every city block. Within this courtyard shall be a feild which is filled by cultivated plantlife capable of growing food for the residents of each block while also serving as a public space for leisure and socialization, thus, it shall be equipped with water fountains or other decorative ornaments.

At each block, the first floor shall always be reserved for some sort of third space appropriate for individuals to interact with publically. Every other floor above shall be used for housing individuals. Additionally, the roof of each building must come equipped with some form of green space or leisure space.

Libraries, schools, and other public services shall remain abundant throughout the city. The notion of personal vehicles will be outlawed and forbidden unless strictly for public utility purposes or public services. The automobile will be outlawed as a form of transportation in favor for public transit/transportation. The architecture style must take inspiration from nature and intelligently use color to convey certain emotions such as peace, joy, freedom, spirituality and harmony with the environment.

Streets will be made from stone, buildings must be made sustainably from locally sourced materials. Ornaments will be encouraged, and minimalist design shall be outlawed in favor for aesthetics and style. Each block being populated by buildings of unique styles and design.

While most blocks shall be constructed upon. Many blocks must also serve as larger public parks, characterized by gardens capable of growing food forests, and structures of cultural significance scattered across the region.

Most forms of public transportation must be red. Trains, trams, or trolleys must be a shade of red. The color red is known to ground individuals and contrast well with natural colors and earthen tones.

The city main city streets separating each block must be wide enough to posses two distinct lanes divided by a row of trees alongside two additional rows on each of the far sides facing the buildings. These two lanes divide the street for the offchance that a vehicle is ever required to be used. Or simply rather for bycicles to flow more effectively.

Cities must be ran like smaller nations. Each city should have its own local community governance not owned by private entities. Any labor institution must be collectivley owned by the workers, and all forms of hierarchy must be rejected.

TLDR:

1. Urban Grid Layout:

• Grid of 300m x 300m blocks.

• Each block contains a four-sided building enclosing a central green courtyard.

• Buildings are no taller than 6 stories.

2. Courtyard Design:

• Central courtyards remain free of construction.

• Used for food cultivation and leisure.

• Equipped with water features and decorative elements.

3. Building Use:

• First floor: Public spaces (e.g., cafes, community centers).

• Upper floors: Residential housing.

• Roofs: Green spaces or leisure areas.

4. Transportation:

• Personal vehicles are banned.

• Public transit (trains, trams, trolleys) in shades of red.

• Streets paved with stone and designed for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Two-lane streets with tree rows for separation.

5. Public Amenities:

• Libraries, schools, and cultural services abundant.

• Larger public parks with food forests and cultural structures scattered throughout.

6. Architecture:

• Inspired by nature with expressive use of color (peace, joy, freedom).

• Sustainable materials and locally sourced resources.

• Richly ornamented, rejecting minimalist design.

• Each block features unique designs.

7. Governance and Economy:

• Cities operate autonomously, akin to small nations.

• Community governance free from private ownership.

• Worker collectives own and manage labor institutions.

• Hierarchy is rejected in favor of freedom, unity, and harmony.

8. Philosophical Principles:

• Prioritize aesthetics, sustainability, and community well-being.

• Balance individuality with collective harmony.

• Foster direct human connection through design and governance.

I will be illustrating this soon.

I have a Vax commercial backpack vacuum cleaner I picked up when I had a cleaning business a couple of years back. Up until today we still used it at home, but the old girl finally stopped working.

I was about to put it in the rubbish pile when I realised there's probably a lot of ways to reuse most of the parts - the motor is dead but all else is fine, a vacuum cleaner isn't too fancy, it's mostly plastic

Just for fun/thought experiment - how would you repurpose parts of the vacuum cleaner?

I’ve found a bunch of cool solarpunk videos that I want to post here. Mods, what’s the problem?

More specifically, TikTok video links always only end up working half the time. I would like to just upload them onto the sub.

Why does the sub not allow video uploads?

edit: more specific

I’m looking for phrases short enough to projec,t to inspire people to investigate solarpunk.

Olá a tds

Estou em fase de viabilização de um projeto pessoal: Após praticar o êxodo urbano, é hora de praticar um estilo de vida que considero estar alinhado à Cultura Solarpunk, na modalidade nomadismo contemporâneo.
A proposta é basicamente eu e minha filha adolescente passarmos os próximos dois anos percorrendo os Biomas do Brasil, compartilhando, vivenciando, experienciando Boas Práticas em Permacultura/ Cultura Solarpunk. (assim que finalizar o site e perfis em redes sociais compartilho aqui. por enquanto estou buscando concluir o planejamento estratégico e contatos, bem como realizar a captação empoderada de recursos). A grosso modo, estaremos disseminando conceitos/práticas Solarpunk e Permacultura 3.0 (escolas, ecovilas, grupos e instituições) porém, sem cobrar por isso. Levando até quem possa se interessar e sentir que precisa, enquanto não tem condições de arcar com os custos.
Andei pensando se seria possível estar contemplando ao menos 40% do total necessário para cobrir os custos através da $Earth. Estou buscando informações sobre tanto esta como outra possibilidade cripto que faça mais sentido estar vinculado (gostaria que o projeto, além de 'opensource', pudesse "rodar" economicamente por caminhos menos atrelados ao sistema convencional).
Agradeço e aprecio sua contribuição positiva/construtiva.

Since i discovered the concept of Solarpunk i fell in love with it, envisioning a green future instead of the depressing cyberpunk themes gives me a sense of direction to the possibility of a better future for humanity. And coming from a place where i got to grow with constant contact with nature, makes me fery fond of Solarpunk.

Anyways, currently I'm not living in the countryside anymore, instead i came to a high density population and urbanization metropolitan area for the sake of completing my university studies.

I just found this sub, and I wanted to learn from you on what are the ways to promote Solarpunk, to live in a lifestyle that aligns better with it, and how does someone start on Solarpunk, what kind of projects can someone start with. I'm a CS and Science and technology student (this includes but not limited to natural sciences and math)

I'm aware of the resources listed in this sub about section, but honestly i found it pretty overwhelming, but i will definitely explore. Since i haven't really found a comprehensive section of resources for beginners i think this can be very helpful for people in my situation as well. With enough answers i can compile and create a post around it.

The library economy involves lending out items such as furniture and tools per existing library systems, making them free to borrow while saving resources since one can lend the same item to many people instead of making many such items. "Libraries" could also include online sites to borrow digital content, or vending machine like booths to automate the process for small items.

The idea is clearly fringe/novel since I haven't found any mainstream news about it, but I expect that to change once we get our first traction.