Here’s a sneak peek of my latest article for Aquila Magazine’s Earth Issue. It’s all about indigenous populations making the most of their ancient traditions to cope with an increasingly unpredictable climate. As well as highlighting the continued importance of ancient water tunnels (called aflaj) in Oman, I spoke to an expert on community adaption in Bangladesh about the floating gardens (called baira) which are providing a lifeline to flooded communities. There’s also a snippet on the amazing work of Hassan Fathy in Egypt…

Want to read more? Well all you have to do is download (how eco is that?!) a copy of the latest Aquila Magazine here. It’s only a couple of dollars for a mag jam-packed with goodness. Go on, you know you want to!

Through his work he championed decent housing for all Egyptians and especially the poorest who lived outside the cash economy. Fathy (which is pronounced ‘fat-hy’) was also keen to preserve Egypt’s particular brand of vernacular architecture which he felt worked much better the poor than the concrete matchboxes that the inhabitants of Cairo now live in.

Years later, his model village ‘New Gourna’ near Luxor is falling into disrepair. And for all its faults those who still live there want to see it better preserved. In 2010, World Monument Fund visited the village and documented all the repairs that would be needed. What’s happened since then is not so clear. I’ve emailed them asking them for an update, which I will happily share if/when I get it. Whilst the WMF were in Gourna they made this stunning little film about the village.