Reconnecting with nature
Hanging Salad Gardens
Vertical salad stands with a bench and tools where citizens can grow vegetables, sit and socialize
Self-service salad corners are special places in urban areas equipped with vertical hangers carrying vessels of soil where citizens can grow, water, cherish and finally pick up and eat different salad vegetables that are convenient for small places such as spring onion, lettuce, arugula, cherry tomato, chives and even cucumbers or zucchini. The corners contain all the necessary tools, seeds, instructions, water and a small attached bench for the visitors to enjoy the products and spend time.
EU Member State, Western Balkans or Ukraine
Serbia
Local
The project is primarily related to my hometown Kraljevo, which is situated in the southern part of Serbia largely inhabited by a great number of refugees from former Yugoslav Republics and nearby Kosovo. I also have a friend in Bulgarian in the region of Stara Zagora who would implement the project in her town Kazanlak
No
No
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Early concept
No
No
No
As an individual
The overall aim of the project is to reconnect people of urban areas both with nature and other people through the return to the original activity of producing food. The first special objective would be to use recycling materials as much as possible while making the gardens taking care of the sustainability of the project. The second objective is the aesthetic and possibly artistic dimension of the gardens since they are planned to be withing urban grounds and have to look neat and beautiful. The project also has an aim to enhance thinking about people's health stressing the importance of fresh vegetables in our diet. An important specific objective is to gather people of specific inclusive categories around these small beautiful healthy stands. They can be special social categories who are unemployed or really lack healthy food, the old who are lonely and eager to talk or teach younger ones the old craft of producing food, or those who just need company or even the students with their biology teachers. The stands would represent the hard transformation, but a lot of soft transformation can be done with these salad corners. People would have a place where they would feel useful, where they could see the products of their work and even pick up the vegetable, take it home or eat with a sandwich they have brought. The educative dimension of these corners would be seen in oral suggestions during the conversation of the visitors, but also some written messages can be left, such as the instruction how to plant a seed if you have emptied a vessel by picking up something. Following the seasons, the life of these corners would also change and provide diversity of agricultural techniques, the need of different tools or pieces of advice. It is certain that some groups of people would find these places attractive, but it depends on a lot of factors who will spend more time there. To me it seems that such a small enterprise can have several benefits to its neighbourhood.
Planting, watering and picking up salad vegetables
Using recycling materials to build the hanging gardens
The importance of mental and physical health and healthy food
Offering all categories of citizens the possibility to socialize, learn and teach
Reconnecting with nature through organic food production in small communities
In terms of sustainability, the project addresses the production of organic food using available places in towns and cities with very little money using recycling materials such as plastic bottles or parts of old furniture. It will teach the citizens of the possibilities to be economical while producing food and learning different agricultural techniques as well as the species of plants. Arugula, for example comes in two very different types and is not affected by insects if basil is planted in the vicinity. The citizens who come to the garden will have the opportunity to learn how to plant a vegetable, take care of it, and also be free to pick it up for their own use. The whole cycle is covered during warmer months especially for vegetables that do not need a long period to grow. As for the inclusion, it is highly probable that the categories who will be interested to come and spend time here are those that feel lonely, depressed, or are unemployed, hungry or sick. All of them would be welcome to share their thoughts and experiences, socialize and feel better surrounded by the plants. They can feel useful doing the chores and also have the pleasure to learn from others. They may even get ideas to start their own similar garden. Aesthetics of the garden is also very important because they are in the centre of urban areas so artists or designers can be consulted or come to help.The cultural benefits are preserving the craft of agricultural workers of the specific region which in all countries was once the predominant occupation. All three values of the New European Bauhaus mingle together and give this project more applications to different visitors depending on what they want to see, feel, learn or experience and have probably missed living in urban areas and leading busy lives. I really hope that the project will also be interesting to children and offer a lot of practical knowledge and possibility to try new things and enjoy staying at this place.
The main aesthetic objective of this project is the combination of nature and tradition while making the structures. Several young artists can be consulted to help and add some unique parts, such as a table or pot shapes, to make the place look different and apply various recycling materials. Taking into account that hanging vegetable gardens can be put in different places in town, their design can vary significantly, but it is important that they have to fit the surroundings. Their size should not exceed 2,5m of length and height. The shape and the materials used to build the construction can vary, too from any recycled available structure to a mass made structures made of metal and wood resembling a bench attached to a ladder occupying little space. The aesthetic aspect of these small garden is very important because their function, apart from growing salad vegetables, is to beautify the town and look like small natural oasis which can break the monotony of the grey concrete all around. As for the quality of the structure, the metal bars combined with wooden plankings would provide the best stability. The bench should be the base
of it and vertical structures should be added carrying several vessels filled with soil for plants. The design of the pots is highly flexible from recycled bottles or other containers to other visually accepted boxes. Suggested green colour of the structure can be combined with any rainbow colour of the vessels. In order to provide shades for the people, the best position of the structure is facing north while the plants will be hung in the southern side. The structures will also reflect some traditional concepts of agriculture of the region and the vegetables typical for the region will be predominantly grown. The whole mini cosmos of the hanging vegetable garden must look appealing to eyes of the citizens and able to attract people to spend time there and contribute to its spirit. The vicinity of water can also affect the design.
of it and vertical structures should be added carrying several vessels filled with soil for plants. The design of the pots is highly flexible from recycled bottles or other containers to other visually accepted boxes. Suggested green colour of the structure can be combined with any rainbow colour of the vessels. In order to provide shades for the people, the best position of the structure is facing north while the plants will be hung in the southern side. The structures will also reflect some traditional concepts of agriculture of the region and the vegetables typical for the region will be predominantly grown. The whole mini cosmos of the hanging vegetable garden must look appealing to eyes of the citizens and able to attract people to spend time there and contribute to its spirit. The vicinity of water can also affect the design.
The key objectives in terms of inclusion are: 1. availability of the project to all categories of population including those of lower possibilities 2. freedom of participation in creation of the structures and later care about it as well as the possibility to use the products of it 3. using the place to gather different categories of citizens to socialize, relax, spend time or learn about natural cycles and sustainability 4. communication and cooperation with the local authorities regarding the position, maintenance and the evaluation of the project and possible spreading or closing of the site.Hanging vegetable gardens are open structures where anyone interested can come, sit, tend plants, pick them up and eat. It will most probably attract the unemployed, retired persons or children more because they have most free time.Spending time surrounded by plants is also therapeutic for those who have any kind of health problems and also will promote healthy diet which will contribute to healthier life habits.My idea is to try to make something more engaging and interesting than simple looking at a phone which is typical for all ages of people. 2. The creation of structures will be done with the consultations with the local authorities, artists or other experts and the overall appearance of the gardens will depend on the constant alterations and season changes. Everybody can freely participate in the work and try the products when they are available. There is no restriction. 3.The place can be used for different workshops, lectures, formal presentations as well as for pleasure and rest. Special categories of citizens will be included, too such as elder people or those who need therapy such as depressed people. 4. This project will enhance cooperation of all subjects and the participation in decision making. For many this would be the first time to feel included in activities of organic food production and joint work.
The citizens will benefit in several aspects: 1. regaining the connection with nature spending the time and doing activities there 2. improving the knowledge of healthy food and the possibility to access it 3. gaining more friends and becoming more sociable 4. curing loneliness, depression, alienation and spending time in a healthier way 5.taking part in decision making regarding different aspects of the project 6. cherishing the sense of unity, belonging to the group 7. educative component of the project will bring about the benefit of learning about nature, plants, agriculture etc 8. they will enjoy the beauty of the place which marks the contrast to the urban environment 9. improving volunteering wishes in town 10. contributing to the better treatment of marginal categories of people who need medical or social help 1. in urban areas a structure with growing vegetables contributes to the general feeling of regaining a contact with nature and returning to old crafts of producing food 2. the possibility to try the products has more educative role to remind people of the need to eat healthy and take care of their health 3.probably the most significant benefit of the project is socializing and spending time with people of similar interests because a lot of people feel lonely and alienated 4. the gardens can be a significant change for those who are depressed or ill because they can find comfort in the light chores and natural surrounding which unlike parks comprise engagement 5. the cooperation with other will improve their self esteem and the importance in decision making 6. working with others will improve the sense of belonging to the group and satisfaction because of that 7. gardens offer a lot of possibility to learn new scientific and practical facts 8. aesthetic view of the people will be sharpened, too and make them continue with similar actions 9.the need for volunteering will be promoted 10.the disabled will be treated better because of their presence
Since this is a local project the stakeholders are related to the local community. First people who are involved in the project are the local authorities who have to approve and give permission for the special sites it town to be used.If the territory is close to private estates, they should be asked and informed, too. After that the design should be done with the consultations with artists, architects and organic food producers. They would suggest the size, the shape, the materials and the best possible solutions for the vegetables to grow. After that, the craftsmen who make the construction will be engaged such as goldsmiths and carpenters or special companies producing park benches and similar things. Recycling companies can be consulted, but the vessels can be collected and sorted out by the designers. They may be painted, too. Filling the vessels with fertile soil and planting can be done either by paid workers, volunteers or experts. An agricultural expert can be consulted for the sorts that will be planted and the way they will be treated later. They may also leave some important messages related to planting and watering because the whole cyclus later will be done by the citizens who are interested to spend time in these gardens and participate in its maintenance. All previously mentioned activities can be also done on the volunteering level, but some small investments can be made for the tools, the seeds and the young plants to be planted. The water sources can be different so the price can be included too. The best solution would be the vicinity of a free tap water. All other activities should be done by interested people because they are the reason the project was made for, but it is necessary to have volunteers who would regularly check the situation in the garden, water the plants if necessary and plant new. It is not acceptable to pay for these services because the work with plants is the goal of the project. The added value of work is max 900 euros.
The design and architecture are reflected in the process of choosing and adapting the place (the land belongs to the local community) as well as the constructing of the vertical garden structure consisting of vertical hangers and a bench which holds the balance of the structure. Knowledge of crafts such as goldsmith or carpenter would be needed to make the structure. They would certainly interact with the designers through consultations while creating and positioning the structure. The values of work for such services very from country to country. In my country you may get both services of design and construction of the structure for less than 300 euros. Of course, the design can be a volunteering action since the project is for the well being of the citizens. Special knowledge related to agriculture is needed for the starting process of planting the salad vegetable sorts in terms of giving advice which sort should be grown and the procedure of tending the plants. The experts do not necessarily need to be with university education but with practical knowledge.This means that people from rural areas can help a lot. They can give valuable pieces of advice about the quality and the shape of vessels, their position, watering etc. I expect that a lot of these activities will be free of charge if given by friends or relatives from the rural areas, but agricultural experts could charge them .I produced some of my plants consulting my family and friends so no monetary value will be added. I have not made the metal construction because it would probably cost more than I could afford. Obtaining the metal for a good construction is more expensive than paying the service of building it. I found one good protype of strange cilindric shape but the owners were not willing to sell it. It looks quite unique to me but too large for urban areas. I suppose that all the values of the design and implementation should be max 2000 euros in case everything should be paid.
First of all, small vegetable gardens are not seen in urban areas of my country. I have seen them in the EU and other countries but not in Serbian towns and cities. My hanging salad garden occupies really small space because it is vertical and this is the first innovative dimension. Tending to make it sustainable I used a lot of recycling material at least for the vessels for the vegetables, tools etc.Whenever I read about small city gardens they were private, built mostly on the roofs, but my vegetable garden should be public, used by anyone who wants to use it, work in it and enjoy its beauty. I think that that is the main difference from mainstream examples. Once it is constructed, it becomes the possession of the people living nearby and they are responsible for the plants that are planted there. The purpose of this garden is not to be looked at but to be engaged in it through tending the vegetables, communicating with neighbours, socializing and thinking about its survival. Although the main aspect of the project is reconnecting with nature, the novelty of the project is the insistence on therapeutic effects of this place both to physical and mental health of people.It is very important to promote and disseminate the project through local media and attract more vulnerable categories of citizens since it is free and simple to handle. The innovative character of the project is educative because different workshops can be organized there from "Make the healthiest salad" with participants of all ages to simple ambiental Biology classes for primary and secondary school students and specialized for the students of Agricultural Secondary School Djordje Radić Kraljevo. Since the project site is the gathering place it can also promote traditional singing, dancing or other crafts at the spot. The project is also innovative in the sense that it bridges the generation gap and promotes communication of the youngest and the oldest citizens
The method of interaction and cooperation of stakeholders is very important and it can also contribute to spending less money on advisory services. Cooperation is included in almost all stages of the project. Cooperation starts from the local authorities, includes designers, craftsmen and food producers and finally brings the cooperation of the community living nearby. so that it can be said that cooperation is both the method and the objective of the project. The method of sustainability is important, too. The materials used for the structure need to be safe and stable and also every possibility of recycling and reusing is welcome. Any available wall, fence, old structure, ladder can be implemented in constructing the hanging salad garden. It can also save a lot of money. Likewise, it can be said that itis important to apply the method of being economical. The method of whole life cycle is also evident because the users of the hanging salad gardens are able to follow the whole cyclus of vegetable growing from planting it to picking it up so they may even decide to employ themselves with a similar activity. That will be the method of broad application of the project. The method of inclusion is applied through attracting all categories of inclusive citizens through organizing special events with the help of media, or just letting them chose the chores of their preferences and being engaged in the working activities. The method of multifunctionality of this project is seen through different usages of the place (to prepare food, socialize, learn, organize workshops etc.) The method of flexibility is also significant because every hanging garden is a microcosmos in itself and can be adapted due to the given place and people who come there and give it their specific spirit. Protection and love for nature is the guiding principle of this project and it is evident that preserving human health and social interaction is something which is the core way of looking at it.
The basic design and the purpose of hanging salad gardens can be transferred to any other place. The idea of planting salad vegetables at open urban space occupying minimal space is applicable everywhere, but the variety of plants that can be grown must vary due to the climate of the region and also exposure of the place to the sun. In cities with a lot of high buildings, probably it will be difficult to find a suitable place where the sun will shine during a longer period of the day. The project can also be transferred to a rural or suburban parts, but to me it seems that it will almost completely lose the function of socializing of people as well as educative one, because most people in rural areas have place where to plant vegetables and know how to do it and would not normally spend time at village centres because they already do agriculture and mostly live far from each other. The metal or wooden structure or any made from reused materials can be made everywhere and adapted to the characteristics of the place. The vessels of recycled materials are also available everywhere as well as seeds and tools. The technology for the organic food production can be learnt at any part of the Globe providing the favourable weather conditions. It is also possible to alter the gardens to the ones in glass or plastic in colder regions. Groups and beneficiaries can be similar in a lot of countries if they have the need to reunite with nature and socialize. The methodology can be transferred to a great extent but it also depends on the mentality of people, their view and way of life. Technology of making the infrastructure can be transferred and is not demanding, but the way of using the place for workshops and gatherings can very in accordance with needs. Learnings related to growing plants would only very with species of plants, but learning to appreciate nature and have healthy lifestyle are accepted in the same way all around the world together with health issues.
The global challenges the project addresses are the following: 1. the lack of organic food, poor or unhealthy nutrition due to the lack of time to cook and produce domestic food 2. alienation of people due to lack of socializing and living in urban areas where people do not know their neighbours and have little time to visit relatives and friends. It is also caused by spending to much time on social networks or the Internet in general 3. Forgetting the basic crafts used a couple of decades ago such as agriculture, carpentry, blacksmiths and the necessity to preserve them through simple practices 4. health problems deriving from the absence of walking and bad nutrition as well as mental health problems such as depression and other acute illnesses which can be treated through changing the way of life and attitudes of what is important in life 5. preserving traditional values such as domestic cuisine, songs, dances, stories, methodology to plant crops etc.6.war 7. globalization. 1.The predominant aim of this project is attracting the neighbours to learn how and produce organic vegetables and even eat them. People tend to have less and less time to prepare food and make soups and salads so it is high time to remind them.2.People of all ages suffer from loneliness and alienation. Their communication with other people is restricted to those from work and family members, but a lot of people live alone and have no one to talk to. The garden will be a place to meet people, have a topic to talk about and even do some light work. 3.Many urban citizens have never had a chance to plant something and they do not know how they can do that so they will get the chance to learn it. 4.The gardens can have a therapeutic purpose who need to go to fresh air and reconnect with nature for many illnesses including mental.This is a place to relax and participate in different activities 6. In areas with war this is the idea for food production primarily which is always scarce in modern world
The project is in the early stages and the main problem at the moment is getting a good location to put my first hanging vegetable garden. I have several locations in mind, but I have to get the consent of the town authorities to put my constructions. I have also found some prototype construction that could serve perfectly well in larger areas if I get them. This practice is completely new in my town so I am sure it will not go easy, but I will go on trying. The town where I live has cold winters and I will have to wait until February to start the project implementation. Good promotion of the project and appearance in the local media will definitely help me get the approval for some places close to the centre of the town. I also hope that December elections will bring new, modern, EU oriented authorities who would care about the problems I address more. In January I will visit some companies working with recycling materials and try to look for an economic solution for the constructions. I will also contact my colleagues and friends who are designers to discuss the exterior design of the hanging vegetable gardens at each place it is allowed to stand.The craftsman will make them. I will start planting the first vegetables as early as February. There are sorts of onions, lettuce and spinach that can stand lower temperature. In March and April the gardens should already have some greenery and people should start coming. We will leave notices to inform the neighbors and talk to them informally, but I will do my best to promote the values of the project through the local media and introduce the concept to the broader public. People should start activities consulting experts. All social life planned for the place should expand gradually and at least one workshop a week should be organized. The first vegetables should be ready in May and good weather will bring more people and more work, planting, watering, talking and exchanging views and knowledge until winter comes.
PDF
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