| Beyond a Construction Site – creating community green spaces | |
| Brief Description | Beyond a Construction Site is a small local initiative proposed in 2010 by two separate NGOs, Bunker and KUD Obrat. The two organizations–noting the importance of urban, community green spaces in promoting solidarity, reducing health inequalities, and promoting adequate nutrition and sustainability–aimed to transform an old construction site into a shared community space. After determining the ownership of the plot (the Municipality of Ljubljana), the initiators issued printed and verbal invitations to anyone who was interested, and in particular to the residents of the Tabor neighborhood, to become part of the planning, design, and use of the site. Rules for management of the site were developed together with all the initial participants, in which following a signed membership agreement, involved community members agreed they would be responsible for their own vegetable plot. Members were given keys to the garden. Besides the urban farming, the site became host to several workshops and community events centered on sustainable urban agriculture and ecological means of consumption. In 2012, around 80 community members have taken care of 40 land plots on the former construction site. |
| Image | – |
| European Country/Countries | Slovenia |
| Field | Living/Green spaces: Urban (food) gardens, Living/Green spaces: Improving availability, quality and use |
| Type | Intervention |
| Impact | Health, Equity, Environmental sustainability |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Target Group | General population |
| Evaluation | No |
| Level | Local |
| INHERIT Perspective | This program was chosen for inclusion because of its categorization as a triple win within the INHERIT guidelines. Beyond a Construction Site focuses on strengthening community cohesion without regard for economic or social status, improves food security, educates community members on sustainable urban farming practices, and has the potential to reduce air contamination through the provision of green spaces. Allowing for individual autonomy over the farming plots gives community members the self-efficacy to manage their health and that of their neighborhoods. The program can be easily implemented in any community whose zoning permissions allow it. |
| Detailed description PDF filename | Download file |
| Relevant links | https://onkrajgradbisca.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/beyond-more-web.pdf |
| Contact | obrat@obrat.org |
