Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “RetroSuburbia” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

RetroSuburbia

David Holmgren

4.56 · Rating details · 109 ratings · 13 reviews

This 500 page manual shows how Australians can downshift and retrofit their homes, gardens, communities and, above all, themselves to be more self-organised, sustainable and resilient into an uncertain future. It promises a challenging but exciting mix of satisfying work, a more meaningful way of living and hope for the next generation.

RetroSuburbia is divided into three m ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 500 pages

Published February 10th 2018 by Melliodora

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about RetroSuburbia, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.56 ·

Rating details

· 109 ratings · 13 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of RetroSuburbia

Jan 16, 2019 Richard Telford rated it it was amazing

I'm biased, because I'm one of the many households featured in the book.
Saying that, there were many areas included in David's work that have helped improve my understanding of how I can be more effective in living more simply in a suburban environment.
Of particular note is in the 'Behavioural Field', an area not often considered as part of permaculture design.
The book has given me some much needed direction in how I can build community around me whilst modeling the world I want to live in. ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2019 Selina rated it really liked it

A much easier, updated look at 30 years of permaculture written by one of it's founders, and how it can apply to the suburbs.
I'm thinking as I read it, some of it sounds eerily similar to 'prepping' for the coming apocalypse. I'm also wondering if Mr Holmgren has a car, and whereabouts exactly does he live he says Mellidora, Melbourne, but is that actually in the suburbs or out in the country?
Is this retroSuburbia permaculture just a philosophy for city rat racers who want to go back to the lan A much easier, updated look at 30 years of permaculture written by one of it's founders, and how it can apply to the suburbs.
I'm thinking as I read it, some of it sounds eerily similar to 'prepping' for the coming apocalypse. I'm also wondering if Mr Holmgren has a car, and whereabouts exactly does he live he says Mellidora, Melbourne, but is that actually in the suburbs or out in the country?
Is this retroSuburbia permaculture just a philosophy for city rat racers who want to go back to the land but can't really afford to? I don't know. But I get the impression some of the 'peak oil' predictions didn't happen and impressionable people (urban hippies who rebelled against baby boomers) got stuck with a 'lifestyle' block they couldn't handle.

It's interesting but I just have a few caveats with this one, because it's relentlessly middle-class and self-interested. Many people actually buy op shop clothes not because they want to but because they can't afford new ones. Poor people DO share their food. They have no resources to rely on, and often no land, so they need to accept charity at times. I don't think many people are in a position to scout for land to buy and practise many aspects of permaculture, certainly the PDC is an outrageously expensive course to go on. Also, I'm not a fan of the author saying goats are inherently better than sheep. Just something I find a bit off about that...

I was thinking that the whole premise of suburbia was that it was sub-urban, ie. built to surround an urban area, where people drove cars to work. That is why they have roads, designed for cars to get there. The suburbs are where people have their homes and raise children - the homes are actually designed as baby boomers nurseries. This is the urban farming that happened in the 50s with 3 bedroom homes, washing lines and a fenced yard where children could play. The mum stayed home looking after her children until old enough to go to school, also located usually within walking distance. That was the reason why people lived in certain suburbs. I think if Holmgren understood this he would have a better premise of the underlying design structure of the suburbs he's trying to retrofit.

He might also then focus on schools being the hubs of community and perhaps retrofitting schools rather than individual homes, it would also cost a lot less. Schools are shared places by design and have ample fields that could be permaculture gardens. Anyway just my thoughts after reading this.

...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 20, 2019 Rosemary rated it really liked it

Shelves: eco-politics, in-library

I've heard David Holmgren speak twice: once about Peak Oil about 10 years ago, and once recently about this book. He is always interesting to listen to, is well read and has a lot of ideas. The Peak Oil emergency didn't eventuate, but Holmgren believes a 2020 Great Depression may occur if the property bubble bursts. This book is about ways to become more resilient in the face of uncertain futures.

It is very large book which I would recommend to people planning to buy or rent in the suburbs. As I ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2019 MaryMargaret Ragno rated it it was amazing

Shelves: continuous-read

I was so inspired by Holmgren's earlier writings that I committed his 12 Principles to memory so that I could carry them with me through my days. RetroSuburbia continues his good work. It's apparent that a tremendous amount of time has gone into creating this big book. I welcome it as a kind of study text for living well with our land and with others. Deeply grateful ... highly recommend! ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 20, 2020 M - The long hot spell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: food-health-home, library

Amazing grassroots book, filled to the brim with ideas for downsizing, living more sustainably, frugally, simply - and doing it in the ‘burbs.

So much to think about. I borrowed it from the library but I may get it again sometime. It’s nearly 600 pages.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2018 Nathan Chattaway rated it really liked it

A thoughtful and practical guide to a likely future living arrangement. Permaculture for the mainstream Aussie. I'd love to see more manifesto and local govt reclamation content for the 5 star rating which has just eluded Mr Holmgren. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Apr 10, 2020 Glenis rated it really liked it

I love this book, very useful and has lots of tips for both beginners and those who already have a handle on permaculture. My only criticism is that it says it is for both homeowners and renters yet as a renter there was limited application for a lot of the book. It would have been nice to have some more sections that considered renters.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

May 12, 2020 -... .-. . .- - .... . marked it as back-burner

Shelves: nature-babes

https://online.retrosuburbia.com/?fbc...

Now available online for donation. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2021 Bonnie Mills rated it it was amazing

Fantastic extensive and fascinating guide to sustainability in many different facets of life.

flag Like · see review

Jan 13, 2021 Megan rated it it was amazing

Amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end and now re-reading

flag Like · see review

Sep 12, 2019 Jade rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019

Loads of information but not very engaging.

flag Like · see review

Apr 14, 2020 Colleen rated it really liked it

Shelves: the-land, gardening, lifestyle, makes-me-think

A thorough tome on the myriad ways to become a more sustainable and self-sustaining hosehold. Written specifically for Australians, but there is much to be gleaned by Americans like me.

flag Like · see review

Aug 02, 2020 Dale rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2020

Both incentive and informative.
Something to be referred to before considering downshifting... it's possible to do so and stay right where you are, or it might mean that something you thought was out of reach isn't. If you've made the shift; afterwards because what you thought you might or could do, it so often changes when you're actually there and doing it. David Holmgren really does know his stuff; it's wonderful that he has addressed the gap where many of us who already have a house and yard ...more

flag Like · see review