Model of integrated development involving the vital energy elements of the landscapeAnima Mundi Institute for Integrated Development, Sežana

We are introducing an innovative development model for generating various forms of sustainable development, taking into account the vital energy properties of the physical space and in cooperation with different professions in a spirit of environmental and social responsibility.

We are proceeding from a new paradigm: the physical environment is a living organism, meaning that we can work with the landscape as an intelligent and sentient being. The basic guidelines for development in the landscape or in a company can be discerned in the energy underpinning the environment and in the consciousness of the space – the genius loci – which ancient cultures recognised. In Slovenia, testament of this was preserved right up until the middle of the previous century.

This approach to designing sustainable development that includes the vital energy potential of the physical space was developed through experience with geomantic planning of settlements, geomantic guidance for business and introducing the integrated treatment of companies (TA-BU nepremičnine (real estate) d.o.o. Ljubljana, Cestno podjetje Koper (road company), Inštitut za delničarstvo (shareholding) Ljubljana, Flaška d.d. Begunje, Endovital Kočevje, Vita center d.o.o. Naklo and more).

Modern geomancy continues the tradition of old cultures whose traces are recognisable in Slovenia and Europe. At the same time they coincide with the findings of modern cognitive knowledge.

Development planning using a holistic approach is vital to the development of local communities (municipalities, local communities) and regions. By incorporating the vital elements of the landscape we ensure the health of the physical space and consequently of the inhabitants, and this is something we proposed in the drafting of the Regional Development Plans 2014 – 2020 in four Slovenian regions.

On the municipal level the municipal spatial plans are those that provide a basis for healthy development. We made a detailed analysis of the area earmarked for expanded settlement for the municipality of Domžale. The analysis discusses individual locations in the wider area and demarcates zones that are unsuited for building, along with the deeper qualities of the space, with guidelines for urban planners and architects regarding how to include them optimally in planning, so as to avoid any damage to the vital energy and spiritual potential of the location, and with pointers as to how we might enhance the quality of the given features. Domžale was the first municipality in Slovenia to include an energy study of a location envisaged for settlement expansion in municipal spatial planning documents.

Education is of truly special importance for developing an integrated approach to the environment. We organise education with the aim of generating integrated development in various areas and through various activities: from schools and nursery schools to local communities, societies and other groups.

A special set of education sessions for educators – teaching through heritage – is being provided in various locations around Slovenia: a multi-year collaboration with the Slovenska Bistrica and Nova Gorica nursery schools, and as part of various projects in Domžale, Gorenjska – the Forest and Countryside project – open learning environment for young people, the international project Living Landscape at the University of Primorska and more.

The project KRRES Geomancy – platform for sustainable development of Rifnik and its archaeological site, Šentjur, Kalobje and Resevna

The project establishes healthy foundations based on the natural and vital energy features of the physical space and heritage of the landscape, which provides a basis for a development strategy formulated in cooperation with the local people.

Through in-depth research of the location, in which we discerned the subtle spiritual and energy dimensions of the environment, we gained an insight into both the characteristics of its existing ancient patterns, and the principles for the most appropriate development of the wider area and individual microlocations, farms and local companies.

The inclusion of local people and entrepreneurial guidance in developing activities and in designing a common local brand served to express the identity of the landscape and the established programme of green tourism.

The KRRES Geomancy project, with its added value of spiritual and energy dimensions, goes beyond the established norms. It involves an integrated and innovative approach to spatial and social development. The use of intuitive knowledge, which is woven into the working methodology of the project, provides a multifaceted contribution to the wellbeing of the environment and people. It introduces a new hologram model of development that signals co-existence, co-living, an expression of deeper potentials of individuals and the landscape and thereby an enhancement and upgrading / enriching into diversity. This heralds a modern-day solution for various environments elsewhere in Slovenia and the world.

After an introduction to geomancy and collaboration with Marko Pogačnik in the middle of the 90s, we developed our own approach. We work with various creative people and experts in different fields: architects and urban planners (scientists and innovators . The development of activities, be it for the individual, company or landscape, derives from deeper potentials, from the spirit core.

In the future we will develop activities in various projects from green tourism to pilgrimages with trained guides, who will offer visitors a deeper experience of the landscape, cultural monuments, nature and themselves.

Through education we wish to bring people closer to a new concept of success, based on personal development and the fulfilment of deepest desires or a personal calling, and contribute to diversity and concern for the community.