ABSTRACT
Geddes’ early work in Cyprus dealt mainly with its physical reconstruction, analyzing the country as a representative valley section, a microcosm to the region of the Mediterranean Basin. He treated problems of ruin brought about by centuries of deforesting; his solutions included improved irrigation, tree planting, and skilled farming. 1 Preaching in later years for regional reconstruction, Geddes mentioned problems and solutions which he devised throughout the Empire regarding loss of runoff water and the drying up of the water tanks in India, 2 and various examples of planting of wasted areas for reforestation from the Mediterranean to Asia. 3 However, Geddes claimed that the social and economic impact of his actions has not been grasped, “both by our utmost imperialists and their severest Indian critics… Witness even Mr Gandhi, with so much of spinning-wheel, but as yet nothing of spade.” 4
