Archive / Energia Alternativa para Isla Paulino

Nr. 480 / 2000 - ongoing / Argentina

Energia Alternativa para Isla Paulino


Self-installed communal solar panels to stop the expansion of petrochemicals industries protecting a natural and cultural landscape

Initiator(s)

Ala Plastica

Description

After another tragic oil spill from the petrochemicals situated at the banks of the canal in the La Plata harbour in 1999, Ala Plástica proposed to the local community to install 32 solar panels to supply the lack of electricity on the island.
They encouraged a group of inhabitants to organise themselves into an association in order to manage the installation. The strategy was dialogical to involve a community formed by diverse actors (neighbours, associations, religious groups, policymakers, local institutions, and collectives) with experts in different fields (political experts, biologists, engineers, artists, etc).

Location

Argentina

Goals

The project was aimed to protect the natural and cultural landscape; provide solar energy for inhabitants and to conceive a plan based on the understanding of the ecosystem and its infrastructure. The final goal was to create a national law to keep this landscape protected.

Beneficial outcomes

Electricity was provided for many local houses. The whole process was guided by ideas based in the values that the community wished: the energy installation; the building of a citizenship; strengthening of the community and the territorial design.

Maintained by

Community of Isla paulino

Users

Community of Isla paulino and visitors in general.

Links

http://alaplastica.wix.com/alaplastica
http://www.eldia.com.ar/ediciones/20011125/laciudad9.asp
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48379426/Ala-Plastica-Catalogo
http://www.latinart.com/faview.cfm?id=957