design
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United States Pigeon Service (USPS)
Biodesign NYC 2025
In 2100, the United States Postal Service has been eradicated and replaced with the United States Pigeon Service (USPS). Under the USPS, the PSD (Pigeon System Delivery), PPT (Pigeon Port Terminal), and PDF (Pigeon Dropping Fertilizer) work in harmony.
With the PSD, pigeons carry mail in biodegradable pods, protecting the mail while minimizing environmental harm. Additional measures like using biometric identification can be taken to ensure security while recipients access their mail.
There are both regional and personal PPTs, which are where pigeons rest, recharge, and receive updated delivery routes. Perches provide space for incoming and outgoing pigeons.
The PDF system incorporates a sustainability initiative. Pigeon droppings at terminals are composted and distributed to local farms or gardens, closing the loop on waste management and further contributing to a healthy environment.
Background
In 2023, the United States Postal Service processed 318 million pieces of mail daily, contributing significantly to carbon emissions from mail trucks. Additionally, with over 400 million pigeons globally, pigeons are often considered urban pests. However, pigeons have been historically acclaimed by their homing capabilities and remarkable intelligence, and by re-domesticating them and implementing them as messengers, both problems of carbon emission and pigeon hostility can be solved.
This speculative biodesign project envisions a future where pigeons, once domesticated messengers, are reintegrated into sustainable mail delivery systems. By challenging negative perceptions of pigeons and exploring innovative navigation solutions, the project sparks discussion on environmental impact, urban ecology, and alternative logistics. It invites reflection on how we can rethink human-animal relationships and harness biological systems for a more sustainable future.