Community gardens are changing the way we experience urban spaces, and we need to talk more about them.
One of the most significant ways they are influencing metropolitan areas is by increasing availability to fresh, healthy food. In many urban centers where individuals may not have easy access to supermarkets or other sources of fresh produce, community gardens may provide an alternate supply of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
They can also stimulate social contact and physical exercise by providing a venue for people to gather and collaborate on a common project. Community gardens can help to establish shared spaces by bringing people together to work on a common cause. These public areas may be utilized for a number of activities, including gardening, socializing, and simply enjoying the outdoors. Community gardens may build a feeling of community and social cohesiveness by offering a space for people to gather and connect with one another.
Community Gardens Around the World
Various model community gardens across the world provide us a sense of how important these spaces are. These examples have changed the urban landscape in their localities.
The High Line (New York City, USA)
The High Line is a public park created atop an abandoned elevated railway line in Manhattan, New York City. The park is noted for its unusual blend of green space and urban design, which was designed by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The presence of the train tracks, which are still visible in many places of the park and are incorporated into the landscaping and seating spaces, is one of the High Line's distinctive architectural aspects. The park's landscaping, which was created to mimic the natural terrain of the area, is another distinguishing feature, with a range of plants and flowers unique to the region, including grasses, shrubs, and trees. The High Line also has a number of seating areas, including benches and swings, where visitors can relax and enjoy the outdoors, as well as a number of art installations and public artworks, such as sculptures, murals, and installations, which contribute to the creation of a sense of place and culture.
The High Line is a popular tourist spot, and it is anticipated that millions of people visit the park each year. The High Line received nearly 7 million people in 2018, according to the Friends of the High Line, the group that runs and maintains the park. Although this information is not publicly available, it is probable that the park continues to draw a comparable number of people each year.
Common Ground Community Garden (Adelaide, Australia)
The Common Community Garden in Adelaide is part of a housing initiative that is maintained by a group of volunteers and is located in the middle of the city. The garden is a vibrant community area that allows people to gather and appreciate nature while also offering access to fresh, locally grown products. The garden is based on the Common Ground model, a form of supportive housing program that provides long-term housing and other services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The approach is founded on the concept of establishing a supportive community in which individuals may live, work, and get the assistance they require to attain stability and self-sufficiency.
Roma Community Garden (Istanbul, Turkey)
The Roma Community Garden, also known as Roma Bostani, is a community garden in Istanbul's Roma district. The garden is located on a tiny plot of land granted by the local municipality and is managed by a group of volunteers and local residents. The 9000 square meter garden is crucial to the local economy since it employs local citizens and sells vegetables grown in the garden to local markets and restaurants.
Ecosystems Service Value of Community Garden
Community gardens may provide a variety of ecosystem services, which are the advantages that people receive from nature. Clean air, clean water, pollination of crops and other plants, and recreational and aesthetic qualities are examples of ecosystem services.
According to a paper by Michael Kennedy, community gardens can help to foster ecological citizenship, which is the belief that everyone has a duty to protect and care for the environment. Community gardens may assist to promote a sense of stewardship and duty towards the natural world by offering a space for people to gather together and work on initiatives that benefit the environment, such as growing food locally and utilizing sustainable gardening methods.
Individuals may learn about the importance of the environment and how their activities affect the natural world by participating in community gardens. They can also learn about sustainable techniques and how to use them in their everyday life. Individuals may build a sense of ownership and responsibility for the space and the environment by participating in the garden's planning and care.
The Sustainable Community Center (SCC), on the other hand, emphasizes that community gardens strengthen community linkages. As per SCC, community gardens, in addition to providing a source of healthy food, may foster social ties and community participation by offering a location for people to gather and communicate. Being in nature and participating in gardening activities may also improve physical and mental health, and community gardens can provide a space for people to engage in these activities and reap the health advantages. Community gardens can also give chances for education and learning, as well as intergenerational learning and cultural interaction.
Lastly, this study by Krasny and Tridball, highlights the role of community gardens in spreading the word of environmentalism, and civic action learning. Community gardens, according to them, are diverse habitats that mix environmental rehabilitation, community engagement, social connections, cultural expression, and food security. As so, they provide a framework for learning that serves many societal goals, such as a scientifically literate population that practices environmental stewardship and participates in civic life.
How Can We Have More of Them
Despite their numerous benefits, community gardens are not always easy to find, especially in metropolitan settings where land is restricted. It is critical for people of the community to engage in talks and ACTIONS that promote the creation of these places.
First and foremost, it is beneficial to educate people about the advantages of creating these gardens. Sharing information on the benefits of community gardens, such as their potential to give access to fresh, locally grown vegetables, create social ties and community involvement, and improve physical and mental health, can assist to raise awareness about their significance.
Advocating for funds and assistance can also get us far. Working with local governments and community organizations to push for financing and support for community gardens can help more of these places become a reality. Writing letters to political officials, attending public meetings, and collaborating with neighborhood groups to lobby for change are all possibilities.
Starting out on your own is also an option. Starting a community garden, no matter how tiny, may be a terrific way to demonstrate the importance of these areas and urge people to build more of them. Working with local governments and groups, as well as recruiting volunteers and organizing garden events, may all be part of this.
It might also be beneficial to share success tales. This might include using social media to spread information about the benefits of community gardens, producing articles or blog entries, or speaking at public events.
In general, individuals and communities may encourage the government and society to construct more community gardens by teaching people about the advantages of these places, pushing for financing and support, beginning a community garden, and sharing success stories, among other things. These initiatives have the potential to not only make our cities greener, but also to transform our communities into ones that are more linked to society and environment.
