Zone planning is a tool for designing the place’s activities, integrating the Land Stewards’ desired elements into a cohesive, holistic vision. With a “frequency of use” directive. Seeking to stack utility and add functions on elements in the design.

In combination with the Sector Analysis tool and observation of other larger patterns, such as weather patterns, topography, and water sheet flows. These observations help identify large-scale patterns in the landscape and behaviours that we can work with. Enabling the designer to apply “details” and elements to the design guided by the Principles of Permaculture. Meeting the needs of the Land Steward, of the land, and all its inhabitants.

Zone-0 is the center of daily activity; in this case, it is the home.
Outward, out to Zone-5. The Wilderness, in this case, is the neighborhood and city biome.

Circle of Influence

In the context of Suburban Lawn Culture, these additional annotations denote areas of particular interest, with external forces identified in our Sector Analysis. Understanding that we, as Permacultureslists, are introducing something quite radical to suburban expectations and landscapes, and that every homeowner might not be ready to go to battle with local authorities and Homeowners Associations.

These notations highlight potential areas where we might place elements in our design that are more “Identifiable patterns” to please and catch the eye and senses of the passerby. At the same time, enhance functional utility, and project our values to the community around us. “Our Face to the World”

• Circle of Influence 1: This space defines an opportunity for social interaction between our Good Neighbor and the Landsteward.
• Circle of Influence 2: Defines the space where interactions between service providers and formal neighborhood interactions are most likely to occur.
• Circle of Influence 3: Defines an opportunity to interact with our neighborhood less directly and less formally while communicating our values.

A note of citation: This additional detail is not something I have seen commonly in Permaculture Design. I may not even be using it in the same context as the designer who inspired it in my design. I have lost the source and would have loved to give that person a mention. Thank You! Whomever you are! I feel it is a wonderful added tool to a designer’s toolbox.

Zones and Sectors Combined

Beginning to See!

Now that we understand some of the many forces shaping our landscape, we can identify where beneficial connections can be made.