a bountiful harvest - built environment · 2013. 4. 11. · sharing produce 5.4 a community of...

Community Gardens and Neighbourhood Renewal in Waterloo

A Bountiful Harvest

Linda BartolomeiLinda CorkeryBruce JuddSusan Thompson

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unity Gardens and N

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A Bountiful Harvest:



NSW Department of Housing The University of New South Wales

Faculty of the Built Environment School of Social Work

A Bounti ful Harvest: Community Gardens and Neighbourhood Renewal in Water loo

2 A Bounti ful Harvest: Community Gardens and Neighbourhood Renewal in Water loo

Copyright © The University of New South Wales

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ormanual, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission inwriting of the publishers.

First published in October 2003 by:New South Wales Government – Department of Housing; University of New South Wales

National Library of AustraliaCataloguing in Publication entry:

ISBN 1-920900-00-4

This research has been undertaken with the approval and support from the NSW Department of Housing. However, theconclusions drawn from the study constitute the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NSWGovernment, the Minister for Housing, or the Department.

CREDITSPhotos: Gabrielle Sullivan, Linda Bartolomei, Bruce Judd, Susan Thompson.Garden Plans: Linda CorkeryLocation Map: South Sydney City Council Base Map

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preface

Dedication and thanks

This Report is dedicated to the memory ofPieter Kamminga and Len Wood.

Their enthusiasm for, and commitment to,the Cook and Marton Gardens from theirconceptualisation to realisation wasinstrumental in the establishment of theWaterloo Community Gardens.

Thank you to all those who willingly participatedin this research. In particular, we would like toexpress our sincere appreciation to the gardenerswho attended our focus groups and talked freelyof their involvement in the Gardens.

This research was funded through a grant from theFaculty of the Built Environment, University ofNSW. We would also like to acknowledge the staffand students of the University of NSW Schools ofSocial Work and Built Environment who havemade a significant contribution to the Gardensover many years.

Thanks too for those at the NSW Department ofHousing and South Sydney City Council who havecontributed significantly to this research, and tothe Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, whichcontinues to play an important role in support ofthe Community Gardens.

To our proofreaders, Prototype Pty Ltd and RobynConroy, and the production team at the NSWDepartment of Housing - thank you for yourconsidered comments and practical assistance.Thanks also to Gabrielle Sullivan for her photos.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge thegenerous financial assistance from the NSWDepartment of Housing and the University ofNSW, Faculty of the Built Environment and theSchool of Social Work, which enabled this Reportto be published.


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preface

Executive summaryThis Report details interdisciplinary researchfunded by the Faculty of the Built Environment atthe University of NSW examining the CommunityGardens on Sydney’s Waterloo Public HousingEstate. The central aim of the research was tounderstand the role of community gardens infostering community development andneighbourhood improvement in a public housingcontext.

The Community Gardens project on the WaterlooPublic Housing Estate started in 1996 and hasgrown strongly ever since. An important initiativeof the NSW Department of Housing, South SydneyCity Council and the University of NSW, this is thefirst comprehensive Report on the project. TheReport documents the history of the Gardens, theirqualities and characteristics, and provides asummary of the experiences of the gardeners wholive on the Estate. This is not only important forthe Waterloo Public Housing Estate, but for otherpublic housing community garden projects.

The Report is set in the theoretical context ofcommunity renewal policy in NSW and the waysin which this has been enacted on the WaterlooEstate. Waterloo was one of the first two estatestargeted under the NSW Department of Housing’sNeighbourhood Improvement Program(1995-1999).

Community gardens fulfil many roles, includingthe reclamation of public space, communitybuilding, and the facilitation of social and culturalexpression. Community gardens are also aneducational resource providing useful informationabout sustainable garden practices.

The methodology used in this researchencompassed observation, in-depth individualinterviews and focus group approaches. Availabledocumentary evidence from the records of thevarious stakeholder groups was reviewed, as wasthe literature on community gardens in Australiaand overseas to ascertain their roles, especially indisadvantaged communities.

Our research reveals that the Community Gardenson the Waterloo Public Housing Estate fulfil manyimportant functions. The Gardens contribute to apositive sense of community. They are a place forfriendship and provide opportunities for gardenersto show their generosity towards each other indifferent ways.

And the benefits of community building, as wellas the development of trust and caring betweentenants of the Estate, go beyond those individualsinvolved in the Gardens. They extend to others onthe Estate who find joy and pleasure in theGardens just ‘being there’. However, the issue ofthe role of the Gardens in improving feelings ofpersonal safety is not clear-cut, with a mixedresponse on this issue.


Latifah mulching her plot in Cook Garden

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preface

The Gardens provide many positive opportunitiesfor cross-cultural interactions. Indeed, the Gardensare a multicultural place where participantsdevelop better understandings of culturaldifference through the sharing of recipes andplants. There were many stories of howparticipating in the Gardens has helped todiminish cultural boundaries and negative racialstereotypes. The Gardens also provide animportant cultural continuation of the home thathas been left behind. This assists with developingfeelings of belonging and worth for manygardeners born outside Australia.

The Gardens are an important source of improvedhealth and well-being. There are opportunities forphysical exercise, and many gardeners find peaceand relaxation in their activities. The gardenproduce can help to reduce food costs as well asprovide a source of fresh food and medicinalherbs. There is much pleasure taken in watchingplants grow and enjoying contact with nature in abeautiful setting.

There are challenges facing the Gardens and thosewho participate in them. These centre on internaland external sources of conflicts. The formerinclude leadership roles, allotment sizes, boundarydisputes and neglected lots, and some culturalconflict and misunderstanding. External sources ofconflict mainly involve conflict with some childrenand youth who are perceived as disrespectful ofthe gardeners and their activities.

This Report makes recommendations for disputeresolution and management support, as well assuggesting design solutions for some of theproblems identified. For those starting acommunity garden, a list of useful resources isalso provided.

This research importantly affirms that communitygardens can make a positive contribution tocommunity development in public housing estates.We recommend that the NSW Department ofHousing continue to implement communitygarden projects, providing adequate resources fortheir on-going success. Nevertheless, it isimportant that policy makers and housing officersdo not see community gardens as a panacea forsolving complex social problems on housingestates. Garden projects must be seen inconjunction with other community renewalinitiatives. Their implementation and ongoingmanagement must be carefully assessed in relationto local conditions and the needs of individualcommunities, and resourced accordingly.


Len and Jamine picking herbs in Marton Garden

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Table of Contents

Preface 3

Dedication and thanks

Executive summary

Section One – Setting the Context 9

1 Introduction

1.1 The research team

1.2 Introduction to the Report

1.3 Structure of the Report

2 The research

2.1 Background

The Waterloo Public Housing Estate

Disadvantage and social exclusion in Waterloo

Community renewal policy in NSW

Community renewal in Waterloo

The Waterloo-Redfern Community Development Project

Community development initiatives

The Waterloo Community Gardens

2.2 Objectives of the research

2.3 Methodology

3 History and roles of community gardens

3.1 Early communal gardens

3.2 Roles of contemporary community gardens

Reclaiming public spaces

Community building

Environmental education

Community enterprise

Social and cultural expression

Restorative qualities

Social and environmental sustainability

3.3 Community gardens in Australia

3.4 Conclusion

4 The Waterloo Community Gardens

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Cook Garden

Garden boundaries

Seating and other garden structures

Trees

Proximity

Expansion

4.3 Marton and Solander Gardens

Garden boundaries


Trees

Proximity

Expansion

4.4 The gardeners

Garden groups

Garden membership and resident location

Age

Gender

Ethnicity

Length of residency on the Estate

Length of involvement in the Gardens

Time spent in the Garden

4.5 Conclusion

Section Two – Findings 33

5 Community and social life

5.1 The Gardens as a social, caring place

5.2 A place for friendship

5.3 The generosity of gardeners

Sharing produce

5.4 A community of gardeners

Ownership and connection to the Estate

5.5 A contribution to community on the Estate

Connecting with others

5.6 The Gardens and safety on the Estate

5.7 Conclusion


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6 Cross-cultural interactions

6.1 The Gardens as a multicultural place

Growing food for cultural connection

6.2 Developing better understandingsof cultural difference

Sharing garden practices

Sharing recipes across cultural groups

Cultural barriers between gardeners

6.3 Cultural continuation of home

Links with country of origin

6.4 Conclusion

7 Health and well-being

7.1 The Gardens as good medicine

A source of fresh food

A source of traditional medicine

An opportunity for physical exercise

A place of peace and relaxation

Routines that bring comfort and purpose

Something to live for

Gardening and spirituality

General well-being and happiness

7.2 The pleasure of gardening

The satisfaction of seeing plants grow

Enjoying learning new skills

The joy of seeing beauty in the garden and its plants

7.3 Conclusion

8 Management and design

8.1 Rules and regulations

8.2 Internal sources of conflict

Leadership roles

Allotment sizes

Boundary disputes

Equity disputes

Cultural conflict

Neglected plots

8.3 External sources of conflict

Conflict with children and youth

Reactions from gardeners – gender differences

8.4 Dispute resolution and managementsupport

8.5 Planning and design issues

Access to sunlight

Expanding the Garden areas

Separation of plots

Fencing design and secure gates

Seating in the Gardens

Composting facilities

Other kinds of gardens

Funding and support

Garden expansion update

8.6 Conclusion

Section Three – Conclusions 55

9 Conclusions and recommendations

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Summary of findings

9.3 Recommendations

Policy recommendations for public housing authorities

Policy principles for community and housing workers

Implementation strategies for housing andcommunity workers

Recommendations for gardeners and community workers

Recommendations for garden designers and landscape contractors

9.4 A bountiful harvest

References 61

Appendices 62

Appendix One Questions for Focus Groups

Appendix Two Selected Community GardenResources


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List of Figures

Figure 1Location of Waterloo Public Housing Estate 12

Figure 2 Cook Garden Layout 19

Figure 3Solander Garden Layout 19

Figure 4 Marton Garden Layout 20

List of Abbreviations

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

BUG Boston Urban Gardeners

CBD Central business district

DoH NSW Department of Housing

EIP Estate Improvement Program

FBE Faculty of the Built Environment

HCAP Housing and Communities Assistance Program

NESB Non-English speaking background

NIP Neighbourhood Improvement Program

NSW New South Wales

RBG Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

SEIFA Socio Economic Indicators for Areas

SSCC South Sydney City Council

UK United Kingdom

UNSW University of New South Wales

USA United States of America

UWS University of Western Sydney

WRCDP Waterloo-Redfern Community Development Project (Now known as UNSW Community Development Project)


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Section One

Setting the Context

In this Section of the Report weprovide an overview of theresearch objectives andmethodology. The researchteam is also introduced and thestructure of the Report outlined.The history and development ofthe Community Gardens in theWaterloo Estate aredocumented. This is animportant history and is set inthe context of both NSW statepublic housing andneighbourhood renewal policies.This Section of the Reportincludes an overview of the roleof community gardens generally,including their contributions tocommunity building,environmental education, healthand well-being, and social andcultural expression. The finalChapter in this Sectionsummarises the physicalcharacteristics of the WaterlooGardens and concludes withthe demographic qualities of the gardeners.


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setting the context: introduction

1.1 The research teamLinda Bartolomei is a Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Refugee Research and casuallecturer in the School of Social Work at UNSW. Herteaching and research interests include humanrights, community development and refugees. Atthe time of this research project she was employedas the Project Coordinator based on the WaterlooEstate and therefore was involved in this project asboth participant and research report author.

Linda Corkery is a Senior Lecturer and Head ofthe Program of Landscape Architecture in UNSW’sFBE. Prior to joining the FBE in 1999, she was inprivate practice for 20 years. Linda teaches designstudios, environmental sociology and professionalpractice courses. Her research interests focus onpeople/place relationships, environmentaleducation, and ecological design for sustainableurban landscapes.

Bruce Judd is Director of the Master of UrbanDevelopment and Design Program and DeputyDirector of the UNSW-University of WesternSydney (UWS) Research Centre of the AustralianHousing and Urban Research Institute in the FBEat UNSW. His teaching and research interests arein housing, and in particular the relationshipbetween design and human behaviour. Since 1995he has been involved with the School of SocialWork in the Waterloo-Redfern CommunityDevelopment Project. This has led to involvementin a number of research projects concerned withpublic housing estate renewal in NSW andelsewhere in Australia.

Susan Thompson is Associate Professor in theFBE, UNSW and teaches social and culturalplanning, specialising in qualitativemethodological approaches. Her research interestslie across five broad themes: planning and culturaldiversity; planning pedagogy and curriculumdevelopment; community renewal and planningpractice; planning methodology; and meanings ofhome. Susan came to academia after many years inplanning practice and continues to maintain stronglinks with the profession.


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setting the context: introduction

1.2 Introduction to the ReportThis Report details important research on theWaterloo Housing Estate Community Gardens.The history and development of the Gardens aredocumented, as are the ways in which the Gardenspositively contribute to the life of tenants on thispublic housing estate. The Report is set in thebroader context of the role of community gardens,health and well-being, multiculturalism,community renewal and safety.

The specific objectives of the research were:

1. To review the literature on community gardensand their role in community development

2. To document the physical and socialdevelopment of the community gardens inWaterloo

3. To understand the social characteristics ofgardening participants, their motivation forinvolvement, level of commitment and theperceived benefits and rewards of involvement

4. To understand the role of community gardens asa vehicle for community development and theirimportance in the process of neighbourhoodimprovement

5. To understand the strengths and weaknesses inthe design and management of the WaterlooGardens so as to inform the development offuture gardens

6. To develop further strategies for communitydevelopment through garden projects indisadvantaged neighbourhoods.

This research focuses on a particular model ofcommunity garden – the allotment type wheretenants secure rights to an individual garden plotfor a small fee. Alternative forms of communitygardens exist and the issues raised in this Reportmay not relate to these other types of gardens.Indeed, some of the problems identified in theWaterloo Gardens relate specifically to theallotment community garden model. Furtherresearch is required to ascertain whether thereare different issues for other community gardenmodels.

1.3 Structure of the ReportThe Report is presented in three sections.

Firstly, we establish the context of the researchproject, its objectives and methodology. Wedescribe the specific qualities of the communitygardens in the Waterloo Public Housing Estate andgive an overview of the policies which have led tothe establishment of these community gardens. Wealso discuss the demographics of the communitygardeners. This is set within the broader context of community gardens both in Australia andinternationally. We review the literature in order to reveal the roles of contemporary communitygardens.

In Section Two of the Report, we discuss thefindings of the research. This is done in fourchapters encompassing the themes of communityand social life; cross-cultural interactions; healthand well-being; and garden management anddesign. We draw on the focus group data,individual interviews and our reading insynthesising the findings.

The final Section of the Report presents theresearch conclusions and recommendations. Thepolicy and implementation strategies are relevantfor both the Waterloo Gardens specifically, andcommunity gardens on public housing estates in general.


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2.1 Background

The Waterloo Public Housing Estate

The Waterloo Public Housing Estate is locatedapproximately 2.5 km south of the Sydney centralbusiness district (CBD) between the main westernrailway line and South Dowling Street. It is thelargest of the inner Sydney public housing estateswith around 2,500 dwellings housing over 5,000tenants and accounting for 82 per cent of alldwellings in the suburb of Waterloo (see Figure 1).

Public housing in this area dates from the early1950s due to a slum clearance program whichmade a substantial amount of land available to thethen Housing Commission of NSW forredevelopment. The earliest public housing typesconstructed in this area were austere three-storeywalk-up flats built in the late 1950s and early1960s. These remain today in the area bounded byGeorge, Raglan, Cope and McEvoy Streets. Thesewere followed later in the 1960s with 3-5 storey,balcony access flats and in the 1970s, with high risehousing blocks of 17 to 30 storeys.

2 The researchIn this Chapter we document the history of the evolution and development of the community gardenson the Waterloo Public Housing Estate in Sydney’s inner city. The community renewal rationale for thecommunity garden projects is also outlined. The specific objectives of the research reported here is thenset out and the methodology explained.

setting the context: the research


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Figure 1 Location of Waterloo Public Housing Estate

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The Housing Commission’s intention to extendhigh rise development into the eastern area ofWaterloo met with resistance from the localcommunity in the late 1970s. Aided by the ‘GreenBans’ of the Builders Labourers Federation underJack Mundy’s charismatic leadership, the proposalwas eventually abandoned in favour of anadaptive-reuse and infill housing approach. As aresult, the western part of Waterloo is dominatedby walk-up, high-rise and stepped flat blockssurrounded by large areas of public and semi-public open space. Conversely, the easternpart of Waterloo maintains much of its historic,late 19th Century row-housing fabric andstreetscapes augmented by respectful new infilldevelopment.


High rise housing area of Waterloo

Housing types in Waterloo

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Disadvantage and social exclusion in Waterloo

Along with many other large housing estates, thedemographics of public housing tenants inWaterloo have changed significantly since the earlypost war period. Whereas once most public tenanthouseholds had been working families, over timethey have become an increasingly disadvantagedand socially excluded group with multiple andcomplex needs. This can be attributed to acombination of factors including:

• the effects of economic restructuring on thelabour market resulting in sustained levels ofhigh unemployment and increasing levels ofwelfare dependence amongst those eligible forpublic housing;

• an expansion of the clientele for public housingto include those with special needs such as theelderly, singles, sole parents, victims of domesticviolence, homeless youth, AIDS sufferers, andthose with drug and alcohol dependence;

• restructuring of Commonwealth housing policyresulting in a shift away from public housingprovision to rental assistance; and

• increased targeting of public housing to thosewith high support needs, including those with a mental illness previously accommodated in institutions.

As a result, by the 1990s large public housingestates like Waterloo typically became occupied by a highly welfare dependent population whosuffered significant social problems such as pooreducational attainment, chronic unemploymentamongst young people, mental illness, drug andalcohol dependence, and crime and fear of crime.These problems were exacerbated by an ageing,inappropriate and often poorly maintainedhousing stock, an anachronistic housingmanagement culture and inadequate or poorlycoordinated community services.

In a 1995 study, Census Collector Districts inWaterloo were identified within the 10 lowest in NSW according to the Australian Bureau ofStatistics (ABS) Socio Economic Indicators for Areas(SEIFA) index (Vinson, 1996). A later study using10 indicators of social disadvantage based ongovernment administrative data, saw Waterlooranked as the 22nd most disadvantaged postcodearea in NSW (Vinson, 1999).

Despite these problems, Waterloo residents have aproud history of community action and solidarityin the face of adversity and retreating services. Thedemographic profile of the area includes a highpercentage of older people (34 per cent over 55),single person households (18 per cent), and sole

parents (28 per cent). The area is also ethnicallydiverse with high concentrations of people fromRussia/Ukraine, Vietnam, China and other Asiancountries. In addition, Waterloo is home to asignificant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercommunity.

Community renewal policy in NSW

In 1992, the Mant Inquiry into the DoHrecommended a restructuring of the Departmentinto six regions with a much stronger focus onservice to clients and reinvestment in housingassets (Mant, 1992). Concern about the problems of the large housing estates in Central and SouthWestern Sydney led to the development of theEstate Improvement Program (EIP) in 1994 whichsaw pilot programs established on the inner cityWaterloo Estate and the Macquarie Fields/AirdsEstate in outer south-western Sydney. A HousingPolicy Green Paper in 1995 led to the evolution ofthe EIP into the Neighbourhood ImprovementProgram (NIP). Over the following four years(1995-99), the NIP funded more than $100 millionof improvement programs on 13 public housingestates throughout NSW, including Waterloo. Thiswas followed in 1999 by the Community RenewalStrategy which mainstreamed community renewalinto the core business of the DoH. Communityrenewal involves a combination of physical, socialand management initiatives aimed at improvingthe quality of life on public housing estates.

Community renewal in Waterloo

Since its initial participation in the early pilotprogram, Waterloo has been the focus ofcommunity renewal for eight years with a full-timecoordinator and office located on the Estate. Thishas seen some significant physical improvementsto the housing stock and public spaces, includingbetter security for buildings, new recreationalfacilities, improved lighting and the establishmentof the three Community Gardens, which are thefocus of this research. An earlier study by UNSW(Judd et al, 1999) indicated that the CommunityGardens were the most frequently mentionedpositive change on the Estate over the first fouryears of the NIP. Estate management is now morelocalised and responsive to maintenance needs,housing allocation and service integration issues,and encourages tenant participation via theestablishment of a Neighbourhood Advisory Boardand a number of Precinct Groups.

Since 1995 the UNSW School of Social Work andthe FBE have had a continuous involvement in thecommunity renewal process in Waterloo via theestablishment of the Waterloo-Redfern Community


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Development Project (WRCDP). More recently, thispartnership has extended to the Redfern and SouthCoogee Estates.

The Waterloo-Redfern Community DevelopmentProject

The WRCDP is a unique community developmentundertaking based on strong relationships betweenUNSW, the DoH, Waterloo and Redfern publichousing tenants, and the Inner Sydney RegionalCouncil for Social Development. The Project’swork evolved from the findings of the 1995Community Cohesion study conducted by TonyVinson. His research identified low levels ofcommunity cohesion and a particular correlationbetween this and issues of social isolation andperceptions of safety. These findings providedsupport for various community building initiativeswhich had already been commenced by localcommunity agencies. The study was also thecatalyst for the establishment of UNSW’sinvolvement in the Estate. The WRCDP hasenabled students from a range of faculties withinUNSW to work closely with tenants helping themovercome some of their social, financial,educational and employment problems.

Since its inception, the Project has providedresources and support for a range of initiativesdesigned to build the capacity of the localcommunity, with the overarching aim ofneighbourhood improvement/communityrenewal. Project initiatives are underpinned bycommunity development principles that aim toempower and build the capacity of communitymembers. They also aim to break down some ofthe barriers which prevent integration into thewider community and therefore enhance overallquality of life. By emphasising the meaningfulparticipation of tenants, the WRCDP supports theprocess of sustainable community change throughthe development of human and social capital(Chaskin, 2001).

The Project recognises the importance ofhighlighting and celebrating the strengths of theWaterloo and Redfern communities, while at thesame time acknowledging the increasing andongoing levels of disadvantage that thecommunities face. The Project has taken a twopronged approach – one at the grassroots level; theother directed at housing policy and serviceprovision. This dual approach has been identifiedas a critical aspect of successful communitydevelopment in much of the current literature(Seidman, 2000; Bradshaw, 2000; Chaskin, 2001).

… rebuilding urban neighbourhoods is a dual andinteractive process of creating the internal socialinstitutions, leadership and capacity for communitydevelopment, on the one hand, and mobilizingexternal political and economic resources and linkingthem to local capacity through sound policies andeffective institutions, on the other. Solutions willcome neither wholly from internal grassroots efforts,nor be driven solely by external public policies orprivate investment, but rather from sustained andcreative collaboration between an organized localcommunity and a committed nexus of public andprivate sector leadership and resources(Seidman, 2000:190).

The Project has sought to balance capacity buildingat a local level and lobbying at regional and statelevels. It does this by fostering local communitydevelopment, while at the same time drawing theattention of politicians and policy makers to thestructural issues which impact directly on theability of local grassroots community buildinginitiatives to succeed. This balance between localcapacity building and regional lobbying has beenfacilitated by the close working relationship whichthe Project has fostered between UNSW, DoH,South Sydney City Council (SSCC), members ofstate and federal parliament, and interagencynetworks.

The high number of tenants residing in Waterlooand Redfern who require levels of assistancebeyond accommodation has increased dramaticallyin recent years. This includes both older peopleand those with mental and physical disabilities orproblems with drug and alcohol addiction. Thisfurther concentration of need and socialdisadvantage does not lend itself to buildingstable/cohesive communities. Neighbourhoodlevel community development initiatives, like this Project, can only go so far in supportingcommunities to address social disadvantage.Without significant and ongoing resourcing,ventures such as this will continue to struggle. The issues of housing affordability, supply ofpublic housing, long waiting lists and an increasein the number of public housing tenants withcomplex social and physical needs all impact onprojects which seek to build sustainablecommunities.


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Community development initiatives

Since the WRCDP’s inception a range of projectshas been undertaken. These include after schoolprograms, art groups, an employment assistancescheme, English and cooking classes, and anumber of research activities. The areas in whichthe WRCDP is currently involved encompassemployment initiatives, community gardens,various children’s and youth programs, recycling,outreach to the non-English speaking background(NESB) communities, resourcing activities in thelocal Neighbourhood Centre, and architecture anddesign work. Projects aimed at reducing highlevels of unemployment amongst the tenants ofWaterloo and Redfern have been a major focus inrecent years. These have included activities linkingthe community to DoH employment opportunities,a youth mentoring scheme and a range ofvoluntary initiatives designed to assist tenants to acquire appropriate workforce skills.

The WRCDP is an active member of both theWaterloo and Redfern Neighbourhood AdvisoryBoards, and works in close collaboration with theagencies and tenants represented on these boards.The WRCDP has developed a highly productiveworking relationship with local agencies through a number of current projects which includerecreation and youth activities, community eventsand festivals, as well as recycling and communitygardens. The close working relationship which theProject has developed with the Housing andCommunity Assistance Program (HCAP) workersin both Redfern and Waterloo is a centralcomponent of the Project’s success.

The WRCDP is staffed by a Project Coordinatorand up to five social work and welfare studentsper university semester. It is supported by amanagement committee composed of academicstaff from both the School of Social Work and theFBE, along with representatives from the DoH, theInner Sydney Regional Council for SocialDevelopment, and public housing tenants.

The Waterloo Community Gardens

While this research examines the Waterloo EstateCommunity Gardens, these need to be seen in thecontext of the other community gardens in theWaterloo-Redfern area.

The first of these was developed in 1991 in thedisused grounds of the Uniting Church in RaglanStreet. It was initiated by Rhonda Hunt (later tobecome Community Gardens Officer with SSCC)and a small group of churchgoers who wereinterested in developing a community foodgarden. The garden still exists and occupies anarea of 150 square metres secured behind a threemetre high gate. Initially it was a shared gardenbut has since been reorganised into individualallotments. Participants pay a small fee to thechurch for water usage. No funding or supportwas sought or received from the DoH for thedevelopment of this garden (Campbell, 1998).

Two other local community gardens near Waterloowere developed around 1991: the Eveleigh StreetGarden in Redfern and the Angel StreetPermaculture Garden in Newtown. The EveleighStreet Garden is located in the Aboriginalcommunity known as ‘The Block’ and wasintended as a source of fresh food for localchildren. However, it has struggled to maintain theinterest and involvement of the community despitesupport from SSCC. It has since fallen intodisrepair. The Angel Street Garden originated witha group of residents who lobbied the Council forspace in Sydney Park for a city farm. The Gardenexists today supported by a strongly autonomousgroup and a grant from SSCC, but has a significantturnover of active members.

The development of community gardens on theWaterloo Public Housing Estate resulted from acoalition of interest between tenants, UNSWstudents, the DoH and later, SSCC. The catalyst forthe development of the initial garden was the firstUNSW Waterloo design project run incollaboration with the School of Social Work’s thenrecently formed Waterloo CommunityDevelopment Project and the Central SydneyRegional office of the DoH. The design exerciseinvolved senior architecture and landscapearchitecture students, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Judd, exploring ideas for urban and


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housing improvements to the Waterloo Estate forthe consideration of tenants and the DoH. Part ofthis involved a community consultation exercisewhere the idea of a community garden arose. A group of students incorporated a communitygarden in their design proposal. The garden waslocated in the area between the two high-rise slabblocks of Cook and Banks, bounded by Pitt,George, Wellington and Raglan Streets. At a publicexhibition of the students’ work, the communitygarden concept attracted considerable interestamongst both tenants and DoH staff.

Discussions about implementing a gardenfollowed shortly. These were held between thethen WRCDP coordinator Usha Kumbla, a groupof interested tenants and the DoH. A number ofpotential sites were canvassed and it was finallyagreed to locate a community garden in anunderutilised and difficult to supervise childrens’playground on the corner of Raglan and PittStreets. The DoH relocated the childrens’playground so that it was clearly visible fromresidences on the Estate.

This first Community Garden was then developedin 1997 by the DoH with funds from the NIP. TheDoH demolished the concrete paving, constructedfencing, a tool storage box and composting bin,and set out 28 garden plots in the circular spacewhich was called the Cook Garden. Thisarrangement was later reorganised by thegardeners to create 29 plots (See Figure 2 on page 19). The WRCDP Coordinator and socialwork students assisted tenants to develop aconstitution and regulations for the garden.Members were signed up for a nominal annual feeof $10. By mid 1998 the Cook Garden was fullysubscribed and demand for additional communitygardens in other parts of the Estate soondeveloped.

About this time, SSCC appointed two CommunityGardens Officers. Community gardens were seenas one platform for promoting domestic wastemanagement through composting. Councilincluded $10,000 in its budget for communitygrants to support the development of communitygardens. The Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG)also supported the Community Gardens in theirearly development by providing plants and experthorticultural advice. This service was laterincorporated into a joint RBG/DoH CommunityGreening Initiative.

Construction of the Solander and Marton Gardenstook place in 1998 (see Figure 3 on page 19 and 4 on page 20) with the involvement of a newpartner, SSCC, along with the DoH and theWRCDP. Capital works funding for the Solanderand Marton Gardens was shared between the DoHand SSCC. The former provided land, fencing andtool storage, and the latter a grant to import soiland provide composting facilities, raised gardenbeds and signage. The development of the gardenwas supervised by one of the SSCC CommunityGardens Officers. The WRCDP once againprovided management support to the gardeners byconvening meetings and assisting with day-to-daymanagement. The Marton and Solander Gardens,with 13 plots each, were smaller than the CookGarden, but due to their success have now beenexpanded to accommodate a further 13 plots(Marton six; Solander seven).

At the time of undertaking this research, the threeGardens were fully subscribed with a waiting listof prospective gardeners. Proposals for extensionsto the two smaller Solander and Marton Gardenswere developed by UNSW Landscape Architecturestaff and students and subsequently referred bythe DoH to private consultants for detailed designand implementation.


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2.2 Objectives of the researchOur experience working in Waterloo suggests thatthe community gardens have an important role inlocal community development. The WaterlooPublic Housing Estate is a highly disadvantagedcommunity, where it has become increasinglydifficult to encourage tenants to actively involvethemselves in community development.

This research examines the roles of communitygardens and in particular, those in the WaterlooHousing Estate. In focusing the study, we definedthe following research objectives:

1. To review the literature on community gardensand their role in community development.

2. To document the physical and socialdevelopment of the Community Gardens inWaterloo.

3. To understand the social characteristics ofgardeners, their motivation for involvement,level of commitment and the perceived benefitsand rewards of participation.

4. To understand the role of the Gardens as avehicle for community development and theirimportance in neighbourhood improvement.

5. To understand the strengths and weaknesses inthe design and management of the Gardens soas to inform the development of future gardensboth in Waterloo and elsewhere.

6. To develop further strategies for communitydevelopment through garden projects indisadvantaged neighbourhoods.

2.3 MethodologyA qualitative approach was used for this study.Our first task was to review the internationalliterature on community gardens. We completed a search of relevant academic journals and booksfocusing on the prevalence of community gardens,their functions and different community and socialbenefits. We also monitored the popular media forreports about community gardens and gardening.In addition, we collected reports about theWaterloo Gardens from the two major governmentplayers – the DoH and SSCC. Further, weconsulted reports undertaken by students and stafffrom UNSW. The literature review was ongoingthroughout the project and provided a goodunderstanding of the nature and role ofcommunity gardens both in Australia and abroad.

In terms of empirical data collection, we initiallyconducted one-on-one interviews with keypersonnel who had been involved with organisingand managing the Gardens. We started byinterviewing a key gardener who was one of theproponents of the project. We also interviewed theWRCDP Coordinator who oversaw the day-to-daymanagement of the Gardens. A further threeinterviews were completed later in the project: two with DoH staff who had a major role in theWaterloo Estate; and one interview with SSCC’sWaste Services Officer who had responsibility forcommunity recycling and sustainability practices.All interviews were audio-taped with thepermission of participants and the conversationtranscribed. Each interview text was then analysedfor key themes, as well as information about the Gardens.

The majority of the gardeners were interviewedduring a number of focus groups. This processbegan by introducing the research team at one ofthe gardeners’ regular meetings, where weexplained the research project and invited them toattend a focus group. A small financial incentivewas offered to each of the Gardens so thatgardeners would be encouraged to attend. Weconducted five focus groups, with a total of 28 interviewees. Together with the single interviewconducted with one of the proponents of theproject, a total of 50 per cent of all gardenersdirectly participated in the research. Two of thefocus groups were garden specific, comprising ofgardeners who worked in a particular garden. Thelargest focus group was for Russian speakersdrawn from the different gardens. An interpreterwas used for the Russian focus group. Theremaining two focus groups included one withparticipants from different gardens and the othercomprised Vietnamese women. One of theinterviewees in this group assisted with translationfor those not entirely comfortable with English.

We used a question schedule to guide theconversation during the focus group (seeAppendix One). The sessions lasted between oneand two hours and were all held in communityrooms on the Waterloo Housing Estate. Each grouphad two researchers present: one responsible forrunning the session and asking most questions; theother offering feedback and assistance throughout.The group conversation was audio-tape recordedwith the permission of participants. Theinterviewers explained that the tape was for datacollection and analysis purposes only. The focusgroup interviews were informal and friendly,yielding a rich data source for the research.


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setting the context: research


locked gate

stepping stones

fence

individual plots

picnic table

planting beds

31.5m

33 m

Ngreen shading denotes shared

planting beds

locked gate

raised

planting beds

composting

area

Figure 2 Cook Garden Layout

Figure 3 Solander Garden Layout

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Initially the researchers who conducted the focusgroup met to discuss their overall impression ofthe session and the major points which emerged.This assisted in developing a broad picture of theissues, enabling the research team to follow upmatters which needed further clarification insubsequent focus groups. A line-by-line thematicanalysis of the transcriptions was completed by thewhole team across all focus groups. This enabledconfirmation of recurring themes when comparingsimilarities and differences between the focusgroups. The researchers did this as a team ratherthan utilising qualitative data managementsoftware. Given the relatively small number offocus group interviews, this was manageable andeffective.

In addition to the focus group interviews, thelandscape architecture team member attendedmonthly management committee meetings withthe gardeners throughout the early stages of theresearch. She also assisted the gardeners tonegotiate proposed extensions to the gardens atMarton and Solander. In May 2002, contracts werelet by the DoH to implement extensions to thegardens, and in November 2002 these werecompleted.


delivery bay

compost arearaised planting beds

street trees

picnic table

raised planting

beds

hatching denotes original garden area

green shading denotes shared planting beds

19m

public seating area

locked gate

21m

N

Figure 4 Marton Garden Layout

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3.1 Early communal gardensCommunity gardens are not a new phenomenon.In fact, they have a long history linking them toallotment gardening as far back as 100BC and thesmall Celtic fields of Lands End, Cornwall, whichare still in use today. During the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), the manorial ‘common’lands were enclosed and ‘commoners’ werecompensated with ‘allotments’ of land attached totenant cottages. But it was the 1908 Allotment Actof Parliament that consolidated the requirementsfor local authorities to provide allotments if therewas demand (Humphreys, 1996).

In the United States of America (USA), a programof allotment gardens was initiated in the late 1890swhen an economic depression had left manypeople destitute and facing starvation. In Detroit,Michigan over 900 families were assigned parcelsof land and issued a quantity of seed potatoes tosustain them through the winter. With the successof Detroit’s ‘potato patches’, other cities around theUSA also began to establish gardening plots forfamilies in need. (Warner, 1987).

In the early 1900s, educational reformer andphilosopher, John Dewey, enthusiasticallypromoted gardens in schools. At the University of Chicago Laboratory School, he encouragedteachers to provide learning opportunities in theirclasses that would connect academic subjects withpractical experiences. Students at the LaboratorySchool maintained a garden in which they learnedfundamental principles and skills through theirhands-on efforts. By 1910 there were estimated to be 80,000 school gardens across the USA,developed in a response to providing experientiallearning and creating ‘strong-bodied, efficient andcontented citizens’ (Fang, 1995:2).

During the years of World War I, both Englandand the USA suffered severe food shortages,triggering the need for people to grow their ownvegetables. In the USA, the National War GardenCommittee, an affiliate of the American ForestryAssociation, spearheaded the campaign. Thesecultivated plots were promoted again duringWorld War II as ‘victory gardens’. Some 20 milliongardeners across the USA were credited with producing 44 per cent of the fresh vegetables in thecountry during those war years (Warner, 1987).

3.2 Roles of contemporarycommunity gardens In their book, The Meaning of Gardens, Francis andHester (1990) explore the contemporary role ofgardens and how they express notions of ‘idea,place, and action’. Considering the garden as anidea, they contend that it is clearly ‘part oftraditional and modern social thought’ (Francisand Hester, 1990:5). Garden design history acrossthe ages displays expressions of political power,economic superiority, religious heritage andphilosophical ideals. There is also an ‘on-goingbattle of seeming oppositions: male versus female,good versus evil, self versus community, richversus poor’. Some of these conflicts have beenmagnified by modern life, but as they note:‘Anyone who has ever gardened knows that agarden represents constancy yet is ever changing’(Francis and Hester, 1990:4).

The garden as ‘place’ is probably the mostcommon perception: the materiality of plants, soil,and structures, cultivated and arranged withindesigns of infinite variation. From theindividuality of domestic gardens to highlystructured and manicured large urban andcorporate gardens, gardens occupy tangible,physical realities of human connectedness toplanet earth and nature. Francis and Hesterdiscuss how changes in public life haveencouraged new forms of gardens, notably,community gardens.

Community gardens are an example of the enlargedscope and importance of gardens in public life…Community gardens result in part from a growingreaction to the privatisation of public life and theneed for spaces that support social contact andpublicness. They also spring from an increasedinterest in places that invite and inspire ongoingchange and modifications through public stewardshipand local involvement (Francis and Hester, 1990:5).

3 History and roles of community gardensTo provide a context for this study of the Waterloo Community Gardens, the research team undertook a literature review of the history, background and international significance of community gardens. A bibliography generated by that search is included at the end of this document. This Chapter brieflyoutlines some of the current thinking about the significance of community gardens in various settings.

setting the context: history and roles of community gardens


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Considering the garden’s role as an expression of‘action’ reminds us that to garden requirescommitment and physical exertion and cannot beundertaken without getting one’s hands dirty. As a result, many people report the experience ofgardening as one that relieves stress and providesa connectedness to the earth, engenders personalcreativity or a sense of participation in naturalprocesses, as well as a sense of control orstewardship for the land.

But ultimately the garden is all these thingscombined: idea, place, and action. As Francis andHester conclude:

One cannot examine a garden as a physical placewithout probing the ideas that generated the selectionof its materials and the making of its geometry. Onecannot fully understand the idea of the gardenwithout knowing something about the process thatcreated it. Also in the act of gardening resides bothideology and a desire to create physical order. Thegarden exists not only as an idea of a place or anaction but as a complex ecology of spatial reality,cognitive process, and real work(Francis and Hester, 1990:8).

In the past 20 years, community gardens aroundthe world have been credited with variousoutcomes, including the implementation of newideas and understanding. These encompass:

• reclamation of public spaces;

• environmental education;

• community enterprise;

• social and cultural expression;

• restorative qualities; and

• social/environmental sustainability.

In the rest of the Chapter we consider each of these outcomes.

Reclaiming public spaces

In many cities in the USA, community gardenswere initiated as a focus of neighbourhoodactivism. As a result, almost every major US citynow has a network of active community gardens.The motivation for creating urban communitygardens can be traced to the civil rights movementof the 1960s, and later to the massive urbanredevelopment programs that resulted in theabandonment of many parcels of land in citycentres. As development moved out of centralcities to distant suburban areas, vacant lots wereleft behind, often spawning drug-related crime andviolence. Disenfranchised urban residents soughtways to rebuild their neighbourhoods by layingclaim to these abandoned sites.

One such group, the Green Guerrillas, was an adhoc organisation of landscape professionals activein New York City in the mid-1970s. This groupadvocated establishing gardens in vacant lotsthroughout the city. In response, the New YorkBotanic Garden convened a conference of expertson urban gardening techniques, which effectivelyrecognised the significance of what was becominga widespread social movement.

In some situations activists have had to fight offcity authorities and real estate interests to maintaintheir community gardens (Warner, 1987). In somecases, gardening activities have ‘improved’ sites tothe extent that they have attracted redevelopmentback into city areas previously abandoned. Asrecently as 1999, community gardeners in NewYork City were outraged at the decision of MayorRudolph Guiliani to sell off city-owned land thathad been under their cultivation for many years.


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Community building

There is also an increasing interest in the role ofcommunity gardens in strengthening socialinfrastructure, particularly in public housingestates, which often have a high level ofunemployment and many low income, elderly, andsingle-parent households. Gardens may provide acommon ground for the interaction of people fromdiverse ethnic backgrounds and experiences.

The American Community Gardening Association,which recently marked its 21st birthday, expandsthe definition of ‘community gardening’ to clearlyidentify its role in community building. Under theAssociation’s definition, community gardeningencompasses:

… projects which use gardens or the process ofworking on the land to enhance or improvecommunities… It encompasses horticulture, cityplanning, landscape design, education, communityregeneration and development, natural history, socialhistory (www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/

gardens/briefintro.htm).

One of the most widely known and longest servingsupport groups for community gardens in the USAis the Boston Urban Gardeners (BUG). For the past20 years they have worked throughout theneighbourhoods of Boston to convert vacant lotsinto community vegetable gardens andneighbourhood commons. Their experience andknowledge has been shared with urban gardenersin many other USA cities. While their day-to-dayrole is to assist garden activities, their statedmission has a broader agenda:

… to facilitate and coordinate the physicalrehabilitation of vacant public spaces in Boston'slow-income neighborhoods. … partner neighborhoodsto promote environmental preservation, social well-being and cultural diversity. … advocate for andplan open-space, promote community gardening andvacant-lot renovation… help establish maintenanceservices by means of education and job-trainingprograms… (and) increase a community's capacity torebuild itself from within (www.bostonnatural.org).

Similarly, Anne Spirn, landscape architect andacademic, has worked with neighbourhood groupsin West Philadelphia since 1988. Her projects,documented in the book, The Language of Landscape,vary in personality and design, appropriatelyresponding to the community dynamics of eachneighbourhood.

In her commitment to rebuilding degraded urbanlandscapes, Spirn and her students worked on anumber of community gardening projects thatcollectively became known as the WestPhiladelphia Landscape Project. The goals of thatproject were:

… to build an urban landscape that is a symbol ofpride and hope, that reveals natural processes andlocal resources, improves environmental quality,stimulates other initiatives, and builds skills andknowledge within the community that will lead toeconomic opportunity. Community gardens are aptmodels, tangible examples of transforming nuisanceinto beauty. They provide the opportunity for peopleto create their own place, to develop and displayskills, knowledge, and accomplishments. Gardenscreate local heroes, leaders who become a source ofadvice and counsel for others with similar dreams.Adept at reading landscape, community gardenersteach others such literacy (Spirn, 2000:212).

Spirn’s descriptions of three gardens illustrate the connection between garden design andmanagement values and how in turn these arerelated to unique neighbourhood qualities:

Unlike a garden where plots of similar size andregular pattern are laid out prior to planting (likeAspen Farms), Powellton/Summer-WinterCommunity Garden… has no regularity. Individualplots are carved out of a weedy meadow of grassesand wildflowers still thriving at the edges of thegarden, on untended plots… Each plot merges intothe next garden, with barely discernable borders.Plots of varying shapes and sizes are distinguishedprimarily through the types of plants each gardenergrows and how they are cultivated, whether, forexample, they are laid out in rows or mixed together.The seeming chaos reflects an anarchist politicalstructure, in which gardeners act as free agents,governed not by set rules but by common values.

Form conveys meaning. Both the pattern of AspenFarms with its regular boundaries and the seeminglyamorphous plots and sprawling edges of thePowellton/Summer-Winter garden are eloquentexpressions of different governance and different


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values. The Spruce Hill Garden, in yet another partof West Philadelphia, with lawn and flower beds thatflow into one another to form a single, larger whole,marks one mind at work, and Aspen Farms, with itsmany, clearly divided plots, many minds and hands(Spirn, 2000:74).

Other examples of how community gardenscontribute to community building are featured in a recent publication of the US Parks and PeopleFoundation. In its review of community-managedopen space and green sites, such as communitygardens, a number of important benefits wereidentified, including community cohesion andincreased community organising capacity. Indeed,there was a direct correlation between factors suchas: the development of community cohesion,interest and involvement; the existence of strongcommunity organisations; access to information andresources; and the ongoing success of a project.

While the ability to initiate a gardening projectrequires a high degree of community involvement, the work of the Foundation revealed that the effortrequired to sustain it over a period of time is equally,if not more demanding, resulting in an even strongersense of community strength (McManus et al, 2000).

Environmental education

The New York City, San Francisco and Los Angelesorganisations of community gardens overseehundreds of local community gardening groups.Some of these are associated with low-incomeneighbourhoods. Others are organised andmaintained by gardeners with a desire to growtheir own vegetables and practise sustainableurban agriculture. Many programs are linked tourban botanic gardens and arboreta as part of theiroutreach programs. In California, the CooperativeExtension Service of the University of Californiaprovides valuable technical support for manycommunity gardens (www.cityfarmer.org).

While the motivation to initiate contemporarycommunity gardens may still be related toneighbourhood revitalisation, increasingly it islinked to a growing concern about environmentaldegradation, genetic modification and unhealthyproduce. This translates into a desire to grow one’sown vegetables, practise sustainable urbanagriculture and promote biodiversity in a localregion.

Children are a specific target group for somecommunity gardening projects. At the MartinLuther King Middle School in Berkeley, California,celebrated American chef, Alice Waters, sponsoredthe development of The Edible Schoolyard.

Education is a major motivation for this gardenwith its mission to:

… create and sustain an organic garden andlandscape which is wholly integrated into the school’scurriculum and lunch program. It involves thestudents in all aspects of farming the garden – alongwith preparing, serving and eating the food – as ameans of awakening their senses and encouragingawareness and appreciation of the transformativevalues of nourishment, community, and stewardshipof the land (www.edibleschoolyard.org).

Volunteers are involved in the gardening here, too,although the program’s generous sponsorship bythe Chez Panisse Foundation allows the school toemploy a garden manager and to resource theteaching staff with a full kitchen classroom. Asimilar program to this, based on the CollingwoodCommunity gardens, is supported by well-knownAustralian chef, Stephanie Alexander.

Community enterprise

In some areas, community gardens are being usedto stimulate local enterprises. In Los Angeles, thework of landscape architect Achva BenzinbergStein is one such example. Her work at theCarmelitos and Uhuru Gardens has been described as:

… conscious efforts to revitalize communitiesessentially marginalized in the Los Angelesmetropolitan area. The highly structured urban parksmatch the tight-knit nature of the communities theyserve and are meant as socially progressive venuescountering the anonymity of corporate andinstitutional American urban pseudo-public space(Keeney, 2000:146).

Economics, ecology, education and aesthetics arecombined in the Carmelitos Garden. Its siteincorporates a commercial farmers’ market that issupplied in part by the gardening efforts of thelocal residents. An on-site training centre providesinstruction in all aspects of garden developmentand management (Keeney, 2000).

Stein’s Uruhu Garden is located in the Wattsneighbourhood of Los Angeles, whose publichousing estates’ open spaces are described as‘…at best ragtag… lethal, inhuman surveillancezones’ (Keeney, 2000:148). Stein’s design for thetwo-acre (0.8 ha) Garden is an application of soundsustainable urban agricultural practices within ahighly structured urban park setting. It providesfor both recreation and gardening – an oasis fromthe surrounding turmoil of inner city Los Angeles.The trees and plants have been chosen for their


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contribution to the landscape aesthetic and fortheir agricultural contribution, for example, orangegroves, grapevines and nut trees. Products of thegardens are sold at the open-air marketplace(Keeney, 2000).

Social and cultural expression

In the United Kingdom (UK), community gardensare known as allotments and continue to involvethousands of gardeners. Traditionally, allotmentshave attracted mostly middle-class Englishgardeners who pay an average of £23 (A$70) peryear to the local council for their plot (Foster, 2000).

In London, as in many American and Australiancities, a substantial number of community gardenshave been developed in response to the needs ofnew immigrants wanting to grow traditional foodsin culturally familiar and appropriate ways. InEast London, for example, Bangladeshi womenhave worked with a garden designer to create theirgarden plots in the grounds of their housing estate.They have fashioned above ground planting areasthat avoid plant contact with lead-contaminatedsoils (Forbes, 2001).

In Western Europe, the ‘kleingarten’ or urbanretreat, is a highly prized version of thecommunity garden. Here some gardeners evenconstruct small sheds on their allotments. Thisactivity is reminiscent of the 1830s whenallotments were set aside for use by the urbanworking class, providing a place of leisure awayfrom crowded and polluted industrialised cities.Families also supplemented their food supply onthese allotments (Warner, 1987). The popularity ofthe garden allotments in Europe is evidenced inthe currently estimated 500,000 allotments inGermany and some 35,000 each in Switzerland and Sweden (Grayson, 2000).

Restorative qualities

In addition to their capacity for food production or aesthetic enjoyment, gardens are increasinglyrecognised and valued for their therapeutic orrestorative qualities (Gerlach-Spriggs et al, 1998;Kaplan, 1995; Francis, 1987).

Therapeutic horticulture is a professional field thathas evolved since the 1930s within the realm ofoccupational therapy. Patients in hospital or otherhealth care facilities benefit from activelyparticipating in gardening activities, even withrelatively little physical exertion (Gerlach-Spriggset al, 1998). The research work of Roger Ulrich hassubstantiated the physical benefits hospitalpatients realize from just being able to view gardenareas. These benefits are measurable in reducedblood pressure, reduced requirements for painrelief, fewer complaints to nursing staff anddecreased time of recuperation (Ulrich, 1984).Community gardens have also become a means ofexpressing solidarity or healing in communitiesaffected by the AIDS epidemic or sharedexperiences of upheaval, such as fleeing one’scountry as a refugee (Cooper Marcus et al, 2000).

Gardens, especially community gardens, also fulfilsocial functions and generally contribute toparticipants’ quality of life (Cooper Marcus et al,1990; Kaplan, 1973). In the public housing contextof a dense urban neighbourhood, gardens canengender a sense of ownership and connection towhat would otherwise be undifferentiated publicspace (Alexander, 1977; Cooper Marcus et al, 1990).

Social and environmental sustainability

The American Community Gardening Associationrecognizes that many of the communities whichmost benefit from gardening programs ‘… aremade up of disadvantaged or marginalizedindividuals. Prisoners, the poor and thosesuffering from mental health problems are amongthose represented in such communities’(www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/gardens). For example, The Garden Project in San Franciscofounded in 1992, is an intensive job-training post-release program for former inmates of theCalifornia correctional system. Apprentices in this program learn organic gardening practices,tree planting and maintenance skills. The programhas been an unreserved success, helping formerprisoners make the transition into mainstream lifein a productive way. Their efforts directly benefitthe community through the distribution of theproduce from their gardens(www.gardenproject.org).


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For some individuals, participation in communitygardening is a political statement: ‘… a voiceagainst globalisation and exploitation and againstthe undermining of food security by multi-nationalcorporations’ (www.nottingham.ac.uk/sociology/gardens/briefintro.htm). Others see it as a means of responding to concerns aboutenvironmental sustainability by ‘thinking globallybut acting locally’. In many respects, communitygardens represent a smaller scale, local version ofthe worldwide movements promoting localagriculture, organic and sustainable farmingpractices, heritage seed conservation, family farmsand healthy ecosystems (Suzuki, 2000; Lappé,2000). Seen in this broader context, there is apotential for community gardening initiatives to bealigned with a broad range of policy agendas andbecome eligible to tap into additional sources ofsupport.

3.3 Community gardens in AustraliaIn Australia, community gardens were initiated in1977 at Nunawading, a suburb of Melbourne. Soon after, the Collingwood Children’s Farm andBrunswick City Farm were established in otherMelbourne neighbourhoods. The interest in thistype of facility in the mid to late 1970s can bedirectly attributed to an increasing concern forenvironmental issues (Grayson, 2000).

Community gardens were established on thegrounds of public housing estates in Sydney andMelbourne on land owned by the respective stategovernment housing departments. Besidesproviding the land, in NSW, the DoH providedother assistance in the form of professional gardendesign and construction of facilities, includingfencing, lockable gates, composting areas andraised garden beds. This provision was a departurefrom the community garden projects generated byneighbourhood activism, where the gardenersthemselves claimed the land and proceeded to tillit, effectively defying authority. These earlyAustralian community gardens have generallyevolved from a more institutional basis.

The Australian City Farms and CommunityGardens Network (based in Queensland) and theCommunity Garden Network (based in Sydney)were both formed in the mid 1990s in response tothe increasing number of community gardens inAustralian cities. The current interest can be linkedto a number of factors, such as the promotion ofcomposting as a means of waste management andurban permaculture initiatives.

Glovers Garden, established in the mid 1980s inthe grounds of the former Rozelle Hospital, isconsidered to be Sydney’s first community garden.Started by people from the local communitycentre, it was also used by patients as part of theirrecuperation program. Today there are estimatedto be about 23 community gardens throughout theSydney metropolitan area, ranging in size from afew square metres to over 60 square metres. Someof the larger, more well-established gardensinclude: Angel Street Community Garden,Newtown; Randwick Community Organic Garden;UNSW Community Permaculture Garden,Randwick; Young Earth, Chester Hill; KatoombaCommunity Garden, Blue Mountains; ClaymoreCommunity Garden, Campbelltown (Grayson, 2000).

Unlike the Gardens under study, most of Sydney’scommunity gardens are ‘shared gardens’, that isparticipants share the work of the entire gardenand divide the harvest among all gardeners. InMelbourne, most of the gardens are ‘allotmentgardens’. The difference is that:

… each member has a defined area of land – theindividual or family is responsible for their area andhas exclusive rights to harvest whatever is grownthere. Few allotment gardens are without shared orcommunal areas… and even allotment gardenersshare produce (Grayson, 2000:1).

With the exception of the garden at St Saviour’sRedfern and the Waterloo Community Garden atthe Uniting Church in Raglan Street, Sydney’scommunity gardens are located on public land,owned either by local or state government. Thepublic acceptance of community gardens isgenerally high and when objections occur, they arelargely focused on concerns about reduced accessto public open space.

Community gardens on other housing estates inthe Sydney metropolitan area include those atBidwill, Riverwood and Claymore as well asBellambi (in Wollongong). Each of these gardenshas unique design features and managementstructures. The Bidwill garden is a true communalgarden, with all produce shared among thegardeners. Riverwood’s garden has a rich Arabicand Vietnamese cultural mix. It is a large area withindividual plots that provide significant amountsof food for personal consumption. The gardeningactivities there are also well supported by aCommunity Development Officer. The communitygardens in Claymore are also culturally unique inthis predominantly Pacific Islanderneighbourhood. The residents created the gardensin shared public open space and have an almost


27


agricultural-scale production of taro and othervegetables specific to their cultural background.Argyle Community Housing, which manages theresidences in Claymore, also supports thegardening activities. The gardens at Bellambi areconfigured as one communal garden, rather thanindividual allotments. They are managed by atenant group, which in turn is closely connected tothe local community centre.

Most local councils recognise the inherent benefitsin providing land for community gardens. Theyrecognise the fact that gardens create theopportunity for social interaction and that this canincrease a sense of community and provide anavenue for positive interaction with localgovernment. Also recognised is the role ofcommunity gardens in improving natural andsocial environments in the city and for thepromotion of healthy diets (Grayson, 2000:5).

3.4 ConclusionAs can be seen in this brief overview, while thecontemporary model of community gardening hasevolved over the past 50 years, it is related to theallotment gardens of medieval England. In theircurrent format, community gardens are achievingmany important and substantial outcomes. Theseinclude producing healthy food, building strongerand more cohesive communities, encouragingactive individual participation, teachingsustainable living practices, and helping peoplemake transitions into new social and culturalsituations. In a variety of contexts, communitygardens have demonstrated a relatively simplemeans of achieving significant social, economicand environmental benefits.


The entrance to Cook Garden

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4.1 IntroductionTenants of the Waterloo Housing Estate who live in17 storey high-rise residential flat buildings sharethe open space around the towers at street level.The grounds are predominantly large, grassedareas with trees, seating, children’s playgrounds,picnic tables and barbecue facilities. ThreeCommunity Gardens, one associated with each of the high-rise buildings, are prominently locatedin these shared open spaces. The Gardens havebecome a focus of activity in this denselypopulated neighbourhood. At the time of thisstudy, the Gardens were fully subscribed with a total of 55 participants, plus a waiting list ofpeople eager for more garden space to becomeavailable.

For their sponsors, the gardens have a dual intent:

• To provide a focus for engendering communitydevelopment and an opportunity for self-management of a shared facility.

• To teach sustainable gardening and wastemanagement practices as part of SSCC’s wastemanagement strategy.

4.2 Cook GardenCook Garden was the first of the three gardens on the Waterloo Housing Estate to be developed.Construction of the Garden began in early 1997with first plantings commencing in spring of thatyear. The Garden is located at the corner of RaglanStreet and Pitt Street within the Estate and isvisible from the adjoining footpaths.

Garden boundaries

The Garden’s design is circular, approximately sixmetres in diameter. This layout is the legacy of aplayground that formerly occupied the site andhas now been relocated. The circle is divided into a number of roughly pie-shaped allotments. Inaddition, there are a few rectangular plots aroundthe edges of the circle, some in raised garden beds.


While there is no seating within the Garden itself,there are picnic tables immediately outside. TheGarden is fenced and has a locked gate, for whichall the gardeners have a key. In addition, there is alockable masonry enclosure for tool storage insidethe fence. There are also composting bins whichhave been contributed by SSCC as part of itsCommunity Gardens Network initiative. This has been the focus of activity for the Council’seducational programs on waste minimisation and reuse.

Trees

There are several trees within the garden enclosureas well as mature street trees along Raglan and PittStreets, which overshadow the individual plots toa limited extent. Within the Estate grounds aroundthe bottom of the Cook residential high rise,mature trees create dappled shade over the Gardenat various times during the day.

4 The Waterloo Community GardensHaving set the broader context for considering the role of community gardens in public housing estates,we now turn to the specifics of the Waterloo case study. In this Chapter we describe the physical qualitiesof the Community Gardens on the Waterloo Estate – Cook, Marton and Solander. In addition, wedocument the demographic background of the gardeners themselves.

setting the context: the waterloo community gardens


Cook Garden

29


Proximity

The Garden is located in a good position as mostof the gardeners live in the Cook high rise. Theprominent location in the grounds of the Estateand in relation to the streetscape, means that theGarden has good casual surveillance and can beenjoyed by people using other areas of the Estatefor passive recreation such as picnics, playing orstrolling.

Expansion

Cook Garden was an immediate success withdemand for allotments surpassing their availabilitywithin the first six months of operation, and thereis now a waiting list for more plots. The potentialfor expansion of this Garden is very limitedwithout moving into a new area of the Estategrounds, so the reallocation of plots and/oradjustment of plot shapes need to be investigated.

4.3 Marton and Solander GardensFollowing the success of the Cook Garden and inresponse to the demand for more allotments, theMarton and Solander Gardens were developed in1998. They are both located along Raglan Streetand, like Cook Garden, can be viewed from theadjoining footpath. Their visibility within theEstate is also very high, both from the residentialtowers and from the public open spaces. These twoGardens will be described together as they arewithin a few metres of each other and located inthe same general area of the Waterloo Estate.

The Gardens were designed by landscapearchitects, Knox and Partners, and constructed by the DoH. Both Gardens are surrounded bypainted, galvanised-iron picket fences withmasonry pillars and lockable gates. Solander is

an irregularly shaped garden, while Marton isgenerally rectangular in shape. The individualallotments within each Garden are rectangularshaped, typically 2 metres by 3 metres. BothGardens have compost bin enclosures, but neitherhas shared storage for tools.

The size of the individual plots has been an issueof considerable discussion at Garden Managementmeetings. Some gardeners, particularly those inSolander, would prefer to have larger plots.However, the general feeling of the ManagementCommittee has been that it is preferable to havemore people gardening than to allocate largerindividual plots. This is an example of the kind ofissue that the Management Committee addressesin its decision-making.

Garden boundaries

As previously described, fencing around Martonand Solander is robust and attractive, visually andphysically setting the Gardens apart from the restof the Estate’s public space. While its design doesnot completely secure plants and tools, it doessignal a separate activity zone within the Estate.

Ad hoc lines of bricks separate individual plotsfrom one another within each Garden. These formtenuous divisions that are frequently a cause forconcern between gardeners. It is not an acceptablesolution for garden plot separation as the bricksare not permanently installed in the garden bedsand could present a trip hazard to gardeners.


Within the two Gardens there are seats for thegardeners. The Gardens also have seating facilitiesor picnic tables immediately outside the fencedarea.


Solander Garden

Seating area in Marton Garden

30


This provides opportunities for non-gardeners toobserve and enjoy gardening activities.

Trees

Marton and Solander Gardens are located in areasthat feature mature trees. This can present aconstraint for garden expansion, but generally thepresence of trees contributes positively to theamenity and appearance of the Gardens. SolanderGarden originally contained two large trees, butboth were of narrow growth habit and accordinglydid not shade a large area of the plots. However,the trees created an obstacle for working in theplots and have recently been removed with SSCC’s assistance.

At Marton, the west side of the Garden is linedwith large figs and plane trees that create denseshade in the afternoon for most of the year. Thisresults in less use of that side of the Garden forplanting. However, it does provide shaded seatingand a good position for flowering plants andgroundcovers, such as Impatiens or Native Violet,that grow well in shade. The original site selectionfor both of these Gardens must be questioned asneither is in an optimum location for sun access.

The presence of trees in the vicinity of acommunity garden should be an importantconsideration in the planning stages. In particular,care should be taken that trees will notovershadow garden areas to such an extent thatplanting choices are limited. Consideration shouldalso be given to possible competition for water andnutrients from the root systems of nearby trees.

Proximity

The Gardens are conveniently located for allparticipants. The prominent position in the publicspaces of the Estate means the Gardens enjoy goodproximity to open air facilities such asplaygrounds, barbecues and seating areas.

Expansion

The Marton and Solander gardening groups werekeen to expand their Gardens to allow for moreplots. In the early stages of this research, theirideas were considered by the study team andproposals for expansion drawn up. As ofNovember 2002, landscape construction to expandthese two Gardens, as per the negotiated plans,was completed.

In addition to adding more individual plots, theexpansion plans for Marton and Solander illustratethe potential to create a semi-public sitting area atthe entry to each of these Gardens. This will allownon-gardeners to sit in an area adjacent to theGarden and thus have closer contact withgardening activities. This is seen as a way to letmore residents feel involved with the CommunityGardens without requiring the commitment oftending a plot. The gardeners will also use theseshaded areas for their own relaxation.


31


4.4 The gardeners

Garden groups

At the time of this research, there was a total of 55 tenants who were active members of theWaterloo Estate Community Gardens. CookGarden had 29 members (including those whoshare plots), Solander 14 and Marton 12. There wasalso a number of additional gardeners, mainlychildren, who shared a plot in the Marton Garden,under the supervision of adult gardeners, but werenot themselves members.

Garden membership and resident location

The only criteria for garden membership is that thegardener must be a public housing tenant living ineither Waterloo or Redfern. There is norequirement that garden members live in theadjacent high-rise buildings from which thegardens take their names. Despite this, the vastmajority of those involved in the communitygardens do live in the high-rise buildings adjacentto the Garden of which they are a member. In thecase of the Solander Garden, 12 of the 14 memberslive in the Solander Building. For the CookGarden, 24 of the 29 members live in either theCook, or the adjacent Banks Building, and in theMarton Garden, 10 of the 12 members live in theMarton Building. Those few who do not live in theadjacent high-rise buildings live in either the threestorey walk-up units along George Street or in theDobell Building in Waterloo. There is only onegardener who does not reside on the WaterlooEstate and this person lives in a high-rise inRedfern.

Age

The ages of those who are active garden membersrange from 36 to over 75 years, with the majorityfalling within the age range of 56 to 75 years(approximately 60 per cent of the total gardeners).It is interesting to note that of the two gardenmembers who are over 75, one of them is perhapsthe most active of all gardeners. In addition totending his own plot on a daily basis, he also playsa major role in maintaining the gardeninfrastructure and the common areas.

Gender

Women comprise the majority of the members ineach of the three Gardens, accounting for 70 percent of total garden membership. In Cook Garden22 of the 29 members are women; in Solander 10 ofthe 13 members are women; and in Marton six ofthe 11 members are women.

Ethnicity

Fifteen nationalities are represented in the Gardenmembership. These are: Argentinean, Australian,Burmese, Chilean, Egyptian, Fijian, Indonesian,Iraqi, Irish, Malaysian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish,Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

The majority of Garden members are Russian-speakers from the Ukraine (45 per cent). Thesecond largest groups are English speakers fromAustralia (11 per cent) and Vietnamese speakersfrom Vietnam (11 per cent). Each of the othernationalities is represented by only one or twogarden members.

Length of residency on the Estate

Gardeners have varying lengths of residency onthe Estate, ranging from three years to over 10.However, the vast majority have lived on theEstate for over four years, with at least 30 per centof all gardeners having resided on the Estate formore than 10 years.

Length of involvement in the Gardens

Of the 55 members involved in the Gardens at thetime of the research, nine had been involved sincethe establishment of the Cook Garden in late 1997.The remaining members had joined theirrespective Garden at various times since 1998.


Latifah and her son enjoy the Garden

32


Time spent in the Garden

The frequency of reported visits to the Gardensvaried considerably between gardeners, rangingfrom daily for eight garden members, to once amonth in the case of one member. The majority ofgardeners reported visiting their Garden betweentwo and four days per week, with some indicatingthat the frequency of their visits increased in thewarmer months. During these visits, the amount oftime each gardener reported spending ranged fromless than one to three hours. The majorityindicated that for each visit, they generally spentapproximately two hours in the Garden. However,it was observed that those who visit the Gardenmore frequently tend to spend less time per visit.For example, a number of those who visit theGarden daily reported spending less than an hourfor each visit.

4.5 ConclusionThe three Waterloo Community Gardens havebecome significant elements in the public openspace of the Waterloo Housing Estate in the fiveyears since their establishment. While they areactively tended by only 55 tenant gardeners, theyhave generated wide interest within the Estate andconsequently, a demand for more garden plots.The recent expansions of Marton and SolanderGardens will allow for some increasedparticipation. The existing configuration of CookGarden could accommodate a few more gardeners,however an area for a new garden may be the nextstep in expanding the gardening program for thatpart of the Estate.

In addition to increasing the garden sizes, theaddition of informal, semi-public seating areasadjacent to the Gardens allows informalinvolvement by other Estate tenants.


Visitors admiring Cook Garden

33

Section Two

Findings

In this Section of the Report wediscuss the detailed findings ofthe research.

We look at the role of theGardens in providing a social,caring place where differentcultural groups get to meet andform friendships through sharingand working together. TheGardens also play a positivehealth role, not only in relationto the produce that is harvested,but in the pleasure and purposethat the garden activity bringsfor many. Issues of safety (bothinside the Garden and on theEstate generally), and conflictand garden management arealso discussed. Finally, weoutline the need for good gardendesign and planning.

In reporting the findings we havegrouped themes identified in thedata. We draw from the richinterview material in the form ofquotes from the focus groupsand interviews to illustrate thepoints we are making. Use ofthe quotes is also important asthis gives the gardeners a voicein telling their stories. All quotesare reported anonymously,except in the case ofprofessional officers interviewed.


34

5.1 The Gardens as a social, caring placeThe Gardens fulfil a very positive social role on theEstate. The gardeners talked about feeling a greatersense of belonging to their homes since theestablishment of the Community Gardens andnon-gardening tenants take an interest in them too.In this Chapter we discuss the importance of theGardens as a catalyst for friendship formation(including cultural exchange which is more fullydiscussed in Chapter 6). Friendships often beginwith the sharing of garden produce andinformation. The Gardens also contributepositively to community building. Not only do thegardeners see changes on the Estate, but othersperceive the Gardens as providing a positivecontribution to their sense of community.

I think that the gardens are a great strategy… [theymeet] a need that people have to garden and connectwith the soil… And they’re also a positive way ofpeople getting together. Often with tenantparticipation… people do get together around protestand around negative issues of fighting something orchallenging something, whereas the gardens gettogether people on the positive notes. (DoH’s

Community Renewal Coordinator based on the

Waterloo Estate)

Nevertheless, the potential for communitybuilding was not necessarily immediately obvious.

… my sense is that it wasn’t until the Cook Gardenbecame a reality and huge numbers of people startedto get involved that the Department [of Housing]and some of the other agencies, and indeed myself,really connected that the impact that that garden washaving on building community… we sort of grabbedit because it seemed like a good idea and there wasinterest in the community and it was seen more asproviding activity and sort of perhaps a means ofbreaking down social isolation for some of thetenants… the understanding of the range of othercommunity building needs that it met onlycrystallised as time went on. (WRCDP Coordinator)

5.2 A place for friendshipThere is a great deal of enthusiasm for thefriendships that have formed as a result ofworking in the Gardens. Some tenants knew eachother by sight, but it was not until they started toshare a love of gardening that the barriers ofshyness and suspicion melted and friendshipsbegan to develop. As the plants grew, so didfriendship. Relationships are continuously forgedacross the cultural divide as stereotypes arechallenged and people from different ethnicbackgrounds get to know each other on a personalbasis (see Chapter 6).

When I came here I didn’t know a soul… I went towork so I didn’t see many people… then I startedgoing to precinct meetings because that was a way of meeting other people… That’s how I came toreally… know I needed something after I finishedwork. I wanted to be involved in the community, you know, and then the garden became the ultimatereally… (Gardener)

Another gardener talks about how the suspicion ofstrangers diminishes as one gets to know othergardeners, gaining the confidence to be hospitableand generous to one’s neighbours.

… after we start to [garden, we start to] talktogether, anywhere in the garden or anywhere after[we] say hello … and know each other. Inviting tohouse, okay. ‘Come on have a tea’ because they knowyou and they want continue conversation. … From asmall step that garden’s good for the community.(Gardener)

5 Community and social life

findings: community and social life


‘ From a small step,

that garden’s good for

the community.’ (Gardener)

35


5.3 The generosity of gardenersThe basis of much friendship in the Gardens isrelated to sharing. Gardeners share the producethey grow. They share gardening hints and lookafter each other’s gardens by taking turns to watertheir neighbour’s plots. There is also a sharing ofskills and knowledge.

Sharing produce

Produce is shared between gardeners and given tonon-gardeners as well.

… I pick lemongrass with everybody’s authority andI cut that up and put it in the fridge. I love thelemongrass tea and I do use other people’s herbs, suchas the boy next door’s mint… when I need it. I don’tpick anybody’s vegetables of course but the herbs andthat I’m allowed. (Gardener)

One of the gardener’s generosity also emerged inthe focus group interview when we were offeredsome produce to take home!

If you’d like some rhubarb, come out and I’ll give yousome. I’ll give you some to cook because you maycook it different to [how] I do. I cook mine with applelike my mother used to do. (Gardener)

Gardeners report a remarkable level of sharingproduce with each other. For some it is a part oftheir life’s philosophy.

… If you share the plant, you got plenty… but if youselfish… the plant is dying… but if you havegenerous heart… you got more benefit for yourself…you produce more. (Gardener)

5.4 A community of gardenersThe Gardens have meant a new sense ofcommunity for those involved. For many therewas no trust between tenants on the Estate, norfeelings of belonging or identification of the Estateas ‘home’. The Gardens have changed this bybringing about greater feelings of belonging and a sense of community.

So it’s a social thing more than just plain gardening I think that’s the benefit. A lot of the people,especially those from other countries, are beginningto come out of their shell a whole lot more.(Gardener)

[By being involved in the garden] I understandabout… why the community is very important toworking together in any sort of work…. You waterthat plot and then somehow that’s splashing to theothers and I feel strongly [that they] are reallywanting to drink. Why I just look at them and I feellike that kind of wholeness in me. (Gardener)

Ownership and connection to the Estate

Participation in the Gardens gives tenants feelingsof personal worth as well as a sense of belongingto a community with which they previously hadno sense of connection. This is an important aspectof the potential for community renewal in theestablishment and development of a communitygarden.

I think it gives you a feeling of belonging more… thisis mine… you have something to own. And you’renot just another little person in another little box…There’s certain amounts of things that you can docertainly, but your outside activities are eithervisiting other people that you know or doingsomething with visitors… but a garden gives you anopportunity to meet people… to relax… to becreative. (Gardener)


‘ … a garden gives you

an opportunity to meet

people… to relax…

to be creative.’ (Gardener)

36


The Gardens have meant a considerable attitudinalshift in terms of how gardeners perceive their livesas public housing tenants and the institutionalframework associated with public housingprovision and resident participation.

When I first moved in here… the attitude we got was'You live in a block of flats, you just live there'…Housing Commission, they wouldn’t let us touch thegardens. They had gardeners to do the gardens, theyhad people to mow the lawns. We had that for severalyears here. Cleaners cleaned the paths, so basicallyyou lived in your flat and you didn’t have to doanything… (Gardener)

5.5 A contribution to communityon the EstateIt is clear from the interview data that the Gardensfulfill an important social role. Not only does theGarden facilitate social interaction betweengardeners themselves, it opens up opportunitiesfor connecting with others on the Estate. This isrelated to the visibility of the Gardens and theactivity that takes place within them. The gardenacts as a catalyst for conversation, breaking downsocial barriers so that people feel they can speak tostrangers. Seeing someone regularly working inthe Gardens is a means of identifying them astrustworthy. In turn this leads to friendshipformation.

There is also a feeling that the Gardens contributeto the community through physical beautificationof the public spaces in the Estate.

I like to work in the garden to make this Waterlooarea more beautiful for the people [who] pass in thestreet… (Gardener)

Nevertheless, there are changes which couldfurther improve the possibilities for socialconnection and communication.

… there are no benches there, there are no tables…that’s what I would love to have. Even to grow somegrass and tea in the vegetable garden and have thistea to prepare. To communicate with other people, tospend time over there. (Gardener)

Connecting with others

The Gardens offer an opportunity for people to getto know strangers. The gardeners become familiarfaces in an environment which is trusted. Theinitial connection leads to conversation aroundwhat is going on in the Garden, followed by moreregular contact and then establishing a friendship.

The garden [is] making [a] long relationship afterthat… They continue talking, because they alreadyknow you… are [a] good person. I’m now awareabout them. Now you know [them], you makefriendship after that, continuing. (Gardener)

It is safe to get to know people through theGarden. The next step is to invite someone intoyour home.

… they know you [are] good and they wantcontinuing conversation. They bring you home andI’m not scared because I know [them]… So I have,like, a friend. (Gardener)

Conversation is often triggered by an interest inthe kinds of plants in the Garden.

I say [to a fellow gardener], 'What is that?', and afterwe start to talk together,… in the garden oranywhere… [we] say hello… and know each other.(Gardener)

Gardeners report that many people passing theGarden stop to look, ask questions about thegarden and the plants, as well as how particularfood can be prepared for cooking. Some are theninvited into the Gardens. This connection is alsorelated to the gardeners' pride in what they aredoing, and their sense of enhanced identity in thecommunity. No longer are they an anonymous faceon the Estate. Interviewees spoke with pride aboutbeing community gardeners, respected and knownby others on the Estate.


‘ … people have met

their neighbours, they’ve

developed links with

each other, they feel safe

with each other’ (Gardener)

37


… I have lots of young people who come [into thegarden] and visit. A lot bring their family and I justsay, 'Well, children really aren’t allowed, but if you[are] prepared to look after them bring them in, by allmeans [come in]'… (Gardener)

These informal meetings can lead to an interest inparticipating in a garden.

The people get some idea they are interesting ingardening, [they] want to do their [own] garden somore people want to join the community gardenand… they want to start to do the gardening…There are now more people do[ing] the garden.(Gardener)

The connection can also be cross-cultural as isdiscussed fully in Chapter 6.

Many gardeners are very generous in giving foodto others and often grow in excess of their ownneeds in order to share. One gardener is renownedfor her annual feast to celebrate the harvest. Thegenerosity is another aspect of social connectionand establishing trust between individuals on the Estate.

… I grow lots of lettuce, I pick lots and I see peoplesitting down in the park, old people, and I say do youwant a lettuce? I give it and they’re very happy. I’mvery happy to give. More happiness for me thanthem. (Gardener)

Accordingly, the Gardens are an important elementin reducing social isolation and establishing trustbetween tenants. This is a critical element inbuilding community and in turn, an importantbuilding block to improving people's sense ofbelonging and feelings of safety on the Estate.

5.6 The Gardens and safety on the EstateSurveys and community consultations on theEstate have consistently shown that crime, fear ofcrime and concerns about safety and security areamongst the most important problems faced bytenants (Judd, 1998; Judd et al, 1999; Randolph andJudd, 2000; Samuels, 2001). Situational crimeprevention suggests that opportunities for crimeare reduced when ambiguous open spaces areassigned to groups of tenants thus providing moreactivity and hence surveillance in such areas.Given the concerns about crime in the area, itcould reasonably be expected that the introductionof three Gardens in the major public spaces of thehigh rise section of the Estate might have someimpact on reducing crime and enhancing feelingsof safety and security.

This is certainly the view of community workers.

… one of the biggest things that stimulating activityin common areas does is that it increases the naturalsurveillance of the area and thus both perception ofsafety and safety in real terms… in real termsbecause it removes opportunity… just the fact thatthere was a garden that people enjoyed being in, wereregularly watering in the morning, watering in theevening – all of a sudden there’s activity… I think ithas made a very real contribution to both safety inreal terms and people's sense of safety and sense ofcomfort in their own community. (WRCDP Coordinator)

And [the gardens] encourage people to share commoninterests, people have met their neighbours, they’vedeveloped links with each other, they feel safe witheach other, you know it’s done a lot of those, they’revery beneficial. And I think that they are a keyelement of community renewal… (DoH’s Community

Renewal Coordinator based on the Waterloo Estate)

Views of gardeners, however, are mixed aboutwhether the Gardens have made a positivecontribution to the reduction of crime andenhancement of safety on the Estate. Some tenantsare confident that the Gardens have made adifference, including lessening their own level of fear.

Yes, it has made a lot of difference. Not only just alittle bit – a lot of difference. (Gardener)


38


Others attribute some positive change to theincreased levels of activity and surveillance inpublic open space resulting from the establishmentof the Gardens.

I think… when [there are] people, [a] lot of people, inthe outside maybe [bag snatching] is reducing. Thepeople want to do it because if quiet, nobody around,very easy for them to do it. But if outside, sometimesme in the garden, people [will] think twice becausethey [are] scared. Because if you don’t have gardens,[it is] very quiet, nobody outside. (Gardener)

One gardener feels that involvement in theGardens and their actual presence on the Estatehave positive psychological effects, which improve safety.

Yes, I think I have no doubt about that – yes. I don’tknow whether it’s coming from me inside because Ifeel at ease with this surrounding, but also I supposeit is coming from [other] people also because whenthey are getting angry then they see the beauty there[in the garden]… [it lessens] their suffering or theiranger I do believe – maybe a little bit… (Gardener)

Other gardeners believe that the Gardens havemade no difference to feelings of safety, and stillfeel quite vulnerable.

No it hasn’t made any difference. Just nice, anyway,to have a garden. (Gardener)

No, [for] my feelings of safety. No, I can’t [feel safe],[I feel] frightened. Sometimes I go to the garden andwork there and some people (look young about 17 or18) [are there]. I scared. I lock the [gate] because theycome… Sometime[s] they open the garden lock, cometo pick and I said ‘you don’t pick’… and they goaway. So next time I come, I lock [the gate].(Gardener)

One gardener sees crime reduction as long-termstrategy in which the Gardens and gardeners havean educative role.

So you can’t just one year, two years, [be] fixing theproblem now. We are learning now, that’s why nowthe children, the parent neglect. So when they cometo the garden we talk to them, we educate them andthey become nice person and somebody care aboutthem. That is I think the safe place. It take[s] a longtime, long time – so we still need the police.(Gardener)

There are variable responses to questions about therole of the Gardens in improving safety andsecurity on the Waterloo Estate. It is uncertainwhether the presence of the Gardens, and theincreased activity associated with them, have had asignificant impact on reducing crime, nuisance andannoyance on the Estate or tenants’ perceptionsconcerning these issues. More work needs to bedone on this aspect of the community gardens.However, it cannot be denied that some gardenersfeel safer on the Estate and this is a positive benefitcurrently being enjoyed.

5.7 ConclusionOverall, the Gardens on the Waterloo Estatecontribute positively to community building andpersonal relationships. The research shows that theGardens have facilitated new friendships betweentenants and strengthened feelings of belonging andconnection to the Estate. Whether there has been a reduction in crime and an improvement inperceptions of safety is contested and requiresfurther investigation.


39

6.1 The Gardens as a multicultural placeThe community gardeners come from a variety ofcultural backgrounds including Anglo-Saxon,Asian and European. This cultural mix hasfacilitated interactions and greater understandingsbetween different people, who until they startedgardening, had never had the opportunity to meet,let alone get to know someone from a differentcultural background.

The Gardens have encouraged an appreciation andacceptance of cultural difference. This has occurredas friendships have evolved through gardeningtogether, swapping recipes, and sharing plants anddifferent gardening practices. For those gardenerswho came to Australia as migrants or refugees,their gardens and the work they do in them canalso provide a powerful link with their birthplaceand childhood. In this Chapter we explore thenotion of the Gardens as a multicultural place. Weexamine their role in developing cultural links andunderstandings between tenants on the Estate.

Typically the gardeners grow food, ornamentalplants and herbs for cooking or medicinalpurposes. Besides providing a supplement of freshfood to their daily diets that does not have to bepurchased, the Gardens provide ingredients forfavourite recipes that may be hard to source inlocal groceries. This is especially the case forgardeners from non-Anglo backgrounds. Herbs formedicinal use may also be difficult to obtain, sothe Garden gives tenants the opportunity to growherbs that are plentiful in their home country.

The role that the Community Gardens play indeveloping cultural links and understandingswithin the Estate is a very important part of itsongoing success.

… one of the project’s greatest successes [has been]the cultural mix of the participants… most of theprojects that we’ve been involved in prior to thegardens have been very dominated by the whiteAnglo-Saxon… involving people from non-Englishspeaking communities had been difficult. (WRCDP Coordinator)

The WRCDP Coordinator goes on to talk about theissue of employing translators and how they hadnot been funded in the past. A grant from theUNSW Faculty of Arts enabled this to occur for thefirst public meetings which were held about thepossibility of establishing a community garden.Accordingly, people from non English speakingbackgrounds (NESB) were contacted and becameinterested in participating in the Garden.

… So I thought that was a real success because wehad one project at least that represented the culturaldiversity of this community… [this] enabled us topromote other projects… because we had access to arange of groups in the community. And it also quiteclearly has contributed to some breaking down of theboundaries between these groups… I think in termsof long term community building [the gardens]… arereally important contributions. (WRCDP Coordinator)

The Community Garden is a multicultural placewhere racial stereotypes and misunderstandingsbetween different nationalities are challenged. Formany of the gardeners, their involvement in theGarden is the first time they have met and spokenwith a fellow tenant from another country.

Yes, the happiness it [the Garden] gives me, but alsoit teaches me to appreciate other cultures. (Gardener)

I met one woman from India, another woman fromChina and although both of us, we speak brokenEnglish, but we could understand each other.(Gardener)

6 Cross-cultural interactions

findings: cross-cultural interactions


40


Growing food for cultural connection

… we prefer to grow what we used to grow in ourold country, and that’s what we mainly like.(Gardener)

Many of the gardeners from overseas countriesgrow vegetables and fruit for their traditionaldishes. These ingredients are often difficult to buy.Herbs and plants grown for use in specific culturalcuisines have become an important basis formaintaining cultural connections. They have alsoprovided a basis for the exchange of ideas andinformation about different cultural backgrounds.

I grow sugar cane, chilli, tomato, Japanese mustard,sweet potato and other Chinese vegetables andparsley and basil… yeah and lemongrass. We [theBurmese] use them, that’s why. (Gardener)

And a Russian gardener talks about theimportance of cucumbers in traditional ethnicdishes.

… cucumber is kind of the main vegetable that wegrow. And we particularly like small cucumbers.What we do with it, we just eat it, we use it for salad.We also prepare pickle cucumber… (Gardener)

6.2 Developing betterunderstandings of culturaldifferenceThe Gardens provide a multitude of opportunitiesfor cross-cultural interactions. In the main theseare positive and lead to better understandings ofcultural difference. Gardeners commented aboutthe ways in which they learn about other culturesand their gardening practices, special plants andcuisine. This has come about through sharinginformation, recipes and showing how differentpractices work in the Garden.

Friendship is the beginning of breaking downracial and ethnic stereotypes and opening uppossibilities for greater understanding.

It’s community, it really is, and I meet the Russianladies even though they can’t always communicate toa certain extent, [in the] garden they can… as soonas I get there… they come straight down and we havea real old chat. (Gardener)

Sharing garden practices

There has been a sharing of culturally basedgardening practices, different types of plants andcultivation techniques.

We meet with different people originally fromdifferent countries… we are exchanging theinformation – what we grow and how we growthings, things like that. (Gardener)

When I saw her plot… then I learn so much, youknow, because she plant some beautiful herbs fromChina because that’s where she coming from.(Gardener)

Sharing recipes across cultural groups

One of the most powerful ways in which thegardeners communicate is by sharing differentrecipes and national cooking ingredients. Food is amode of cultural expression in which everyone canparticipate. Even for those who might feelthreatened by cultural difference, food is the least‘threatening’ display of difference. Exotic foods areseen as enriching and enlivening – a form ofdifference that can be shared by everyone throughthe common bond of the need to eat and aninterest in cooking and food preparation.


Multicultural celebration in the Gardens

41


Gardeners develop great interest in the edibleplants grown by others who come from differentcountries. This interest naturally extends into adiscussion about the sorts of dishes that the plantsare used for, often resulting in recipes being passedaround or the dish itself being cooked and sharedaround.

The people from Tonga and Fiji they have this potato,the sweet potato. They teach me how to eat theleaves… You never tasted better, put a little bit [of]butter on it, put it in the oven and cheese on top anda bit of garlic. (Gardener)

… the different cultures do share information ifyou’re listening. I know in our particular case we’velearned a lot about fruit and vegetables from othercultures that we didn’t know anything about … youfind out how to use their [other cultural groups']produce in making other dishes and you only do thisbecause they lower their guard in the garden and willtalk to you… (Gardener)

Cultural barriers between gardeners

While there are many examples of culturalexchange, understanding and harmony, there aresome instances of cultural conflict andmisunderstanding. One gardener sees the plants as a metaphor for those from different culturesgrowing together in community, and in somecases, not wanting to grow together.

Oh yes, I’ve learned so much [about other cultures]. I think this is like the diversity of the colours [in thegarden]. I learn more about the gardening in anorganic way. And there are some plants that don’twant to be put together. (Gardener)

English language difficulties can act as acommunication barrier between some of thegardeners, creating problems which hinder deepersocial interaction.

[Some] people, they just come to the garden and thenthey don’t feel [or] want to mix or to talk with us…maybe because of the language. (Gardener)

However, the DoH’s Community RenewalCoordinator based on the Waterloo Estate does notsee these cultural difficulties as particularlyproblematic.

… you might have one or two individuals who getjealous, or they don’t like certain ethnic groups, andthey see that a certain ethnic group does somethingbut that’s very minor, if at all. So a small minoritymight not like the fact that land’s been set aside andit's being used by marginally diverse cultural groupsbut again that’s everyday life and that’s only a smallminority. (DoH’s Community Renewal Coordinator

based on the Waterloo Estate)

Cultural conflict is further discussed in Chapter 8.


Different cultures meet in the Gardens

42


6.3 Cultural continuation of homeThe Gardens provide an important role in helpingmigrant gardeners feel at home. This is critical forthe long term settling process, the creation of asense of identity and establishing belonging inAustralia. The importance of a garden in creating a feeling of ‘being at home’ has been reportedelsewhere (Thompson, 1994). The CommunityGardens are an important catalyst in creating thissense of home in a public housing setting. Theyalso provide an opportunity to be involved ingarden activities which were an essential part oflife for many of the overseas born tenants. TheCommunity Gardens are a link to these culturaltraditions providing continuity with a way of lifethat has been otherwise lost.

Yes I have a huge, big garden in my country… Atthe beginning when I arrived in Australia I can’tfind the chilli or the Asian food… Later… [I] findfrom Fiji market or somewhere or Chinatown, now I grow in the garden, it’s better. (Gardener)

Links with country of origin

A gardener, originally from Asia, talked about theimportance of communal life in her homecommunity. For her, the Community Gardenapproximates this lifestyle which she had notpreviously experienced in Australia. The Gardenrepresents an important link with her other homeand the customs with which she is familiar.

Likewise, others report different ways in which theGarden provides a link with their other home.

We decided to do it mainly for pleasure, because backin Russia we also had dacha with a garden, at a placewhere you had a garden, and we loved to work overthere so this [name of garden] is kind of acontinuation of what we did over there. (Gardener)

The Garden is also a way of linking the past withthe present, remembering special rituals, familytraditions and cultural heritage which bringscomfort and pleasure.

… traditionally in Russia the garden is not only thesource of the harvest, it’s mainly to spend time overthere within their traditional family. Also, when thefriends are coming and visiting you it’s veryenjoyable to spend time together with friends overthere in the garden… (Gardener)

6.4 ConclusionThe Community Gardens on the Waterloo Estateare an important site for cross-cultural interactions,sharing and learning. The Gardens provide animportant link with loved homes left behind,enhancing tenants’ feelings of belonging to, andconnection with the Estate. There is potential tobuild on these opportunities to enhance culturalunderstanding across different cultural groups.Communication barriers need to be acknowledgedand addressed so that misunderstandings andstereotyping do not hinder cultural exchange andgreater understanding of racial and ethnicdifference.


43

7.1 The Gardens as good medicineFor many people around the world, gardening is a well-loved pastime. Gardening has positivephysical, psychological and spiritual benefits. Withan increased understanding of the relationshipbetween well-being and eating healthy food,engaging in physical activity, and having contactwith nature, there is a significant connection to bemade between working in a garden and therealisation of different health benefits.

In addition to increased well-being, there areeconomies to be gained through gardening. Manyof the gardeners at Waterloo comment they areable to grow plants to reduce their food costs, or toshare extra produce with fellow tenants. In othercommunity gardening schemes, surplus produce isgiven to different neighbourhood organisations orsold for profit.

The community gardeners at Waterloo share theabove views about their activities and the benefitsthey derive from gardening. In this Chapter wediscuss the positive contributions that theCommunity Gardens have made to tenants’ healthand well-being. Our findings highlight theGardens as ‘good medicine’, offering opportunitiesfor physical exercise, as well as places to regainhealth, relax and find solace.

The comments made by the Waterloo gardenersare consistent with other research findings onhealthcare facilities, where gardens in thosesettings foster:

• sense of control and access to privacy;

• social support;

• physical movement and exercise; and

• access to nature and other positive distractions.(Cooper Marcus and Barnes, 2000:36).

A source of fresh food

The availability of fresh cooking ingredients is animportant health benefit of having a garden plot.

Now when I’m coming home from the shop, I forgotthe parsley, I forgot the celery, but I have everything[in the garden]… I have the spring onion… I even

have garlic if I forget. This is important [for] verygood Italian soup. We using a lot of rosemary and I chop [produce from my plot] and make a beautifulsoup and you can’t find a soup like that. (Gardener)

My wife she make a beautiful cooking for the feast…she likes very much fresh from the garden.Everything I add to cooking. That is very great and I love very much my plot… (Gardener)

An added bonus here is that growing food in acommunity garden can reduce food costs. It canalso avoid wastage if only small quantities of avegetable or herb are needed.

If I got the plant, I can take whatever I need. I need a lot, I take a lot. I need one piece, I pick one piece –then I don’t have to buy [a] bunch because I just needa little. I buy [a] bunch, I’m not using it. I’m justwasting money. (Gardener)

A source of traditional medicine

Apart from the benefits of having fresh,organically produced fruits and vegetables, somegardeners cultivate herbs and vegetables, such asradishes, which are used in traditional healthcures.

[I like] the different herbs that I have in the garden.I’m so proud of it, some of them I take to work. Iwork in the… Greek nursing [home] in Kensingtonand they love their herbs. (Gardener)

The boy [in the next garden plot]… is Italian and heonly grows herbs… he always tells me what they’refor, some for arthritis… He’s just a naturalist andthese are the only plants he grows. (Gardener)

[In my garden plot] mostly it’s medicinal herbsand… all of them are useful… We don’t go to thedoctors, that’s why. For healing, yes… [the] garden it helps as a healing [tool]. We can heal each otherlike we heal the old and the ill. (Gardener)

7 Health and well-being

findings: health and well-being


44


An opportunity for physical exercise

For some of the tenants, gardening aids in themaintenance of good health through physicalexercise. For others, it is an opportunity to regaintheir health.

…I enjoy it because it’s good exercise, it’s exercisingin the open air. (Gardener)

I have got a high blood pressure problem. I go intothe garden in the morning and I work over there andthen I come back home. I feel much better. I do muchmore things. I feel more energetic and my bloodpressure goes down. (Gardener)

A place of peace and relaxation

For many of the gardeners, their plot is a place toretreat from high density living. They appreciatehaving a place to go that is their own, separatefrom the rest, and at ground level. It provides thesolitude and focus that leads to a sense of peaceand relaxation. Some gardeners commented onhow working in the Garden provides them with an opportunity to meditate.

When I go there it calms me down and I can reflecton many things being there. (Gardener)

… I feel great just going out to the garden… it’srelaxing. (Gardener)

It’s good to be able to get out of a high rise apartmentand go for a little stroll, sit down in the shade andhave lunch… you always find someone there.(Gardener)

Routines that bring comfort and purpose

The lack of a daily schedule going from home to ajob, can be disorienting for unemployed or retiredindividuals. In these cases, a garden plot providesa useful routine. There are daily and weekly tasksthat must be undertaken to keep one’s gardenproductive and attractive. This routine bringscomfort and purpose, as well as giving one a senseof control over a piece of land. There is also a senseof responsibility in maintaining a plot that is a partof the greater garden.

I used to work and then I found that we were maderedundant – I had nothing to do so I thought I’d seeif I could get a garden block so I had something todo… (Gardener)

Something to live for

For some individuals, working in the garden hasbecome a central and very important force in theirlives. Indeed, there are gardeners for whomparticipation has been life saving, positivelyenhancing their psychological and emotional state.

… I’m a different person altogether. I was veryemotional, not steady, [but] since I’ve got the garden,I feel good about myself [and] all the different thingshappening to me. It’s just made me stronger. Before I was a wreck. Now I am very strong. That’s mygarden. That’s my little plot. (Gardener)

Well I just became housebound… I sort of heardabout people jumping off balconies… I wantedsomething extra… I’d always had a garden, alwayshad a beautiful garden. I’ve always been house-proudand garden-proud, you know, and that’s part of yourlife… (Gardener)


‘ I love the garden. I

love to spend time over

there. The main thing is

to watch the fruits of

my labour. I wasn’t

working in vain.

Although one can buy

a cucumber… in the

shops, it’s a very

different matter [to

grow your own]…’(Gardener)

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Gardening and spirituality

The nature-God-spirituality relationship wasexpressed in a number of the focus groupdiscussions at Waterloo. This feeling and belief isoften reported among devoted gardeners. There isa sense of participating in the creation of livingthings that is a wondrous and ever-revealingprocess. Gardeners who experience this have aclose connection to the earth, the seasons andvariances in weather. They are protective andnurturing of their gardens, in a similar way to their interpretation of the spiritual dimension of gardening.

For some, gardening induces a meditative state. Itrefreshes in a way that others might derive fromprayer and a spiritual relationship with God.

It’s also a spiritual thing… It feels great… after I’vebeen about an hour in the garden sometimes I comeback feeling fresher and more energetic… (Gardener)

…it’s a spiritual enjoyment… a very good rest… I’mkind of charging my batteries. (Gardener)

… I teach yoga then I go to the garden andmeditate… Then I don’t do any work but I just staythere… just to read and smell that kind of smell. [I]cannot explain it, because it’s a mix of everything.(Gardener)

I just go to [the] garden and I [am] calm… I’m justthinking. I think about God and people… (Gardener)

General well-being and happiness

The gardeners also spoke about the simplepleasure they derive from having a garden – itmakes them happy! This happiness ranges fromthe simplistic to the quite profound.

I haven’t got [a garden] before, I go to my friendhome, look at my friend[‘s] [garden]... Now I have agarden… , I love the garden… I [am] happy.(Gardener)

7.2 The pleasure of gardeningThere is a great deal of pleasure in the gardeningactivity itself. This is derived from the satisfactionof growing different plants, and seeing beauty innature and the overall design of the Garden. Manygardeners expressed the simple enjoyment ofhaving contact with nature and learning new skillssince they became involved with the CommunityGardens.

I became involved in the garden about two years ago,maybe a bit more… mainly because I’ve always lovedgardening and plants. (Gardener)

… [the garden]… It’s my life now… it’s very bigpleasure for us to be in fresh air, to be, to work, [to]think about flower. It’s very big pleasure. We don’tthink about harvest because we haven’t harvest, it’sgood, very big pleasure… joy from our garden andflowers. (Gardener)

… it [is as though] the garden is a magnet. When I go shopping it brings me in all the time and I try tosee how things grow over there and that’s what I enjoy. (Gardener)

The satisfaction of seeing plants grow

Most of the gardeners derive a great deal ofsatisfaction from growing plants, harvesting themand using them in their own cooking.

There’s something… relaxing about achieving even a plant of superior growth because you have a handin the planting of it, the nurturing of it, and theharvesting of it so it’s a fulfilling occupation eventhough it might be menial by some people’sstandards. (Gardener)

I find that it’s very satisfying to look after the plantsand watch them grow. Also there’s a feeling ofserenity down there which you naturally get withplants and water and that’s what I enjoy most.(Gardener)

Others love to see flowers blossom even thoughthere is some mild criticism about the value ofthese non-edible plants.

So I’ve been told many a time I waste the garden butin my mind, no… I had beautiful flowers at Easterand just for Mothers Day I had all thechrysanthemums. And I do grow those lovely doubledaisies and rhubarb. But what I’ve decided now isthat I will grow some veggies as well. (Gardener)


‘ Garden make you

happy, make you

smile!’ (Gardener)

46


Enjoying learning new skills

With the involvement of SSCC, the former NSWWaste Board and the RBG, there have been regularopportunities for the community gardeners tolearn about gardening practices. Many haveparticipated in field trips to other gardens, theRBG's propagation facility, and have had on-sitesessions learning about sustainable gardenpractices such as mulch creation, worm farmingand how to avoid the use of chemicals to controlpests. Ultimately, each gardener decides themethods and products they use on their own plot,but the goal is to achieve organically grownproduce.

The interest in growing organic vegetables andlearning about plants and sustainable horticulturalpractices have supplemented the WaterlooGardens’ initial aims. Increasingly, these activitiesare seen as a means to spread information aboutsustainable practices to the wider community.Gardens in the grounds of housing estates areexcellent examples of effective communityenvironmental education programs in action.

When the Council bring a lady… teachingagriculture it was very interesting. We analyse theground… we find out that then they contain alkaline,lime and salt. (Gardener)

Also they teach me… The worm it create fertiliser…It’s interesting… (Gardener)

The joy of seeing beauty in the garden and its plants

Some gardeners get pleasure from the aestheticbeauty of flowers and the design and texture of theGardens. In the literature there is an increasinginterest in the perceived benefits of certain coloursand aromas of plants. This is related to colourtherapy and aromatherapy (Rawlings, 1998). Theseare very personal preferences and individuals reactdifferently to these variables. In one’s own garden,a gardener has control over the plants she/hegrows and can enjoy.

Only the rose and geranium I grow on the outside ofthe garden. Just for the design of colour and texture,look good. (Gardener)

7.3 ConclusionThe interviews confirm that the WaterlooCommunity Gardens play an important role inimproving the physical and psychological healthand well-being of the gardening tenants of theEstate. Even those who do not directly participatealso gain from the Gardens. These benefits areconsistent with those claimed in the communitygardening literature.


‘ I put in some flowers

– some yellow flowers.

It looks nice. It’s like a

piece of colour on the

water.’ (Gardener)

47

Community gardens are seen by the DoH as a verycost effective strategy for community renewal,community empowerment and capacity building.They are also regarded as a means of addressingopen space management issues including crimeand vandalism control, waste management (viarecycling and composting), and maintenance costreduction by the ‘privatisation’ of open space. Thisis reflected in the following observations of theCommunity Renewal Coordinator based on theWaterloo Estate.

… [Community gardens are] not very expensive, andthe benefits are tremendous – the building of socialcapital, reducing maintenance liability [and]reducing antisocial [behaviour].

It reduces management issues because theDepartment inevitably has to manage things likevandalism and… although some of it does occur, Ibelieve it’s significantly reduced because there aremore people around and people take ownership ofthose spaces and challenge things that they may notchallenge in other parts [of the Estate].

However, because of their low cost and perceivedbenefits, there is also a danger that communitygardens are seen as a panacea for solving thecomplex problems of disadvantaged communities.

I do think there is a risk that community renewalcould be superficially equated with tangible outcomeslike establishment of community gardens, while inthe end they alone don’t achieve a sustainablecommunity of high density housing given people’scomplex needs. (DoH’s Community Renewal

Coordinator based on the Waterloo Estate)

The very existence of community gardens in apublic housing estate raises a number ofmanagement issues including how, and by whom,gardens are initiated, designed, implemented andmanaged on a day-to-day basis. In regard to thelatter, the process of handling problems anddisputes as they arise is critical, whether they beinternal, among gardeners, or external, betweengardeners and others in the community.

In the case of the Waterloo Community Gardens, anumber of stakeholders contribute in various waysto the management process. These are:

• Tenants – both individually and collectivelythrough participation in garden committees;

• DoH – as provider of land, fencing and basicgarden infrastructure;

• UNSW – through community consultationprocesses, and design and ongoing managementassistance to gardeners;

• SSCC – as part of its promotion and support ofcommunity gardens as a waste managementstrategy;

• RBG – as a provider of plants and horticulturaladvice to gardeners.

Indeed, this diversification of responsibility hasundoubtedly contributed to the success of theGardens in Waterloo.

Financial responsibility is similarly shared. TheDoH funds basic garden infrastructure andcontributes to on-going management through itsmatching of UNSW funding for the WRCDP.Assistance from the SSCC and the RBG is largelyin kind through horticultural expertise, and theprovision of plants and other garden materials.UNSW financial support is indirect. It includes theemployment of a part-time WRCDP Coordinatorby the School of Social Work, as well as in kindcontributions from staff and students from thisSchool and the FBE. A small annual membershipfee also applies to participating gardeners toencourage a sense of belonging and responsibility.

8 Management and designIn this Chapter we discuss the complex issues of garden management. This involves identifying thespecific day-to-day conflicts both within and beyond the Waterloo Gardens. Garden design is also asource of dispute. It is important that the nature of conflict is understood as this is the first step toresolving issues and ensuring that as much as possible, potential problems are avoided in the planningstages.

findings: management and design


48


8.1 Rules and regulationsEarly in the life of the Gardens, WRCDP assisted in the development of garden regulations. The aimwas to clearly define the rights and responsibilitiesof gardeners. Under these rules, each Garden isresponsible for setting up a managementcommittee that meets on a regular basis. In thisresearch project, information about managementissues was sought both in stakeholder interviewsand gardener focus groups. The interview datarevealed that ongoing management of theCommunity Gardens is proving to be something of a challenge.

Despite the existence of rules and regulations,many gardeners said that they were either notstrong enough, or had not been enforced. Othersindicated that not all gardeners had received acopy of the guidelines, or had not read orunderstood them. There were differences ofopinion about the benefits of having rules and guidelines.

Up ’till now… we’ve tried to exist without a wholebunch of laws [but because of problems] weformulated laws which go before the garden in abouttwo weeks’ time… (Gardener)

Why should we have a set of rules for the garden?It’s too stressful… I only grow flowers… They said[other gardeners] “that’s a waste of a garden”. I said,“ that’s not, that’s the beauty in the middle of thegarden, that is not a waste”. No you don’t need rules,do you? (Gardener)

The idea of a ‘bill of garden rights’ appeals to somegardeners. Such a document would recognise thecontributions of the gardeners, as opposed tosetting out restrictive and possibly, pedantic rules.

I think whatever it is, we can just come together andtalk about it. I think [that] would be good. To me it’slike [the] rules are not rule rules, but rules do make a better world… Yes, so sort of build garden rights.(Gardener)

8.2 Internal sources of conflictThere are a number of sources of conflict withinthe Gardens concerning leadership roles, allotmentsizes, border and equity disputes, inter-culturaltension and dealing with gardeners who neglecttheir lots. These emerged from the focus groupdiscussions and are discussed below.

Leadership roles

Although garden leaders are democraticallyelected, this is by no means an easy role to fulfiland can itself be a source of conflict. Fromobservation, when someone is elected to be thehead of the Community Garden, they gain bothfriends and detractors.

Allotment sizes

In some Gardens, allotments vary significantly in size and shape. This can become a source ofconsiderable conflict among gardeners.

Everybody have a big garden. I have very, very smallgarden. I have only half of everybody. I don’t [know]why, but I know that I complain about this because,everybody have double of mine. (Gardener)

Boundary disputes

A number of gardeners complained that over time,plot boundaries had been moved withoutpermission to increase the size of plots at theexpense of their neighbours.

I came back… after three months away and I couldsee that my plot, it [had] shrunk. So I say what shallI do now? (Gardener)

The only thing that’s dividing [his] plot from my plotis a piece of wood…but the trouble is that somepeople actually move those planks. (Gardener)

Restoring boundaries to their original locations hasbeen suggested, but it is recognised that if nothandled well this may result in additional conflict.

I really do want to have my plot back as it was before.But then I want to find a way, like a gentle way,…how to discuss it. Maybe this is the time for all of usto renew [the boundaries], like, because we have someof them [that] have really huge lots maybe about likethree or four [times the others]. (Gardener)

Despite this, some gardeners were philosophicalabout such inequities, placing a higher priority onsharing, rather than defining and defendingterritory.


49


… some of the people they have bigger size and thensome are very small… but I’m glad, I’m really happywith small plot because it’s not just because of thesize of the plots it’s just the matter of shar[ing]. [It’s]not only the size to me, it’s… really more [the] care of these people who are coming together and then alsowe just getting to know [each other] more.(Gardener)

Equity disputes

These disputes are usually over differences in thesize of Garden plots. Sometimes they arise whenan individual gardener has more than oneallotment. This prevents people on the waiting listfrom having access to the Gardens.

I want two pieces but he not give it to me. So okay, I don’t want to be greedy, this is for the community,but when I see some people [with] big two [husbandand wife]… why? (Gardener)

Cultural conflict

As previously discussed, the Waterloo PublicHousing Estate is culturally diverse, andaccordingly, the Gardens involve people fromdifferent cultural backgrounds. This can be asource of conflict. Sometimes cultural conflictbecomes entangled with other issues such asallotment size and border disputes.

Neglected plots

A major cause of concern, particularly for diligentgardeners, is the neglect of plots when people donot have enough time to tend their plants.

This [community gardening] is not for busy people.If you’re [too] busy, that’s it… if you [are] too busy[and] you can’t attend, [then] give [your plot] tosomebody else [so they] can use it and benefit.(Gardener)

There is a perception among gardeners that it isdifficult to expect a gardener to have adequateauthority to resolve conflict situations.Accordingly, an independent management supportrole is seen as necessary and intervieweesfrequently mentioned the WRCDP Coordinator asthe most appropriate person.

Well you’ve got to have [an independent] person inthe garden who has some kind of power. It’s uselessselecting [a gardener]… if they can’t say, ‘Hey, that’snot good enough’. (Gardener)

There are complaints that a small number of corepeople carry the burden of tending the common

areas of the Gardens and attending to tasks such ascomposting and keeping the area clean.

Yes, the problem in our garden is [that] noteverybody [is] involved. [In] this community gardenwe [do] not just look after our plot and we have todo… certain things like compost, cleaning, wateringbecause not only [do we have] our plot we [have] got[a] communal plot like [the] flower[s]. Then it [needs]to be looked after. But if only [a] couple of people lookafter [it] is… like a burden… So if we all [work] inthe garden cooperative[ly], doing little thing[s]together, this make[s] the garden look good andmake[s] nobody [work too hard]. (Gardener)

8.3 External sources of conflictSources of conflict are not only internal (amonggardeners themselves) but can also be external(between gardeners and others on the Estate).According to the WRCDP Coordinator, at firstthere was some resentment about the fencing ofopen space for the use of a limited number of tenants.

… I think sometimes people in communities do getresentful of the notion that a space that they see ascommunity space… has now got a fence around itand you need a key to get in. I think the communitywere concerned about that originally.

It is possible that this situation has contributed tosome initial resentment between gardeners andnon-gardeners on the Estate.

Conflict with children and youth

Children are portrayed by some gardeners as asource of external conflict. Particular concern wasraised about vandalism and stealing from theGardens.

There are young boys and girls over there and theydestroy the garden. Lately [there have been] quite anumber of incidents that they were destroying thegardens and they were picking up everything thatthey wanted to pick up… They grab the flower andthey throw the stones… the law doesn’t help becausethey go over the fence. (Gardener)

One gardener offered a thoughtful insight into themotivation behind this behaviour. The intervieweeargued that anti-social behaviour arises from angerabout the circumstances people find themselves inon the Estate.

I think the gardens come into the same category aseverything else in the estate. There is an abiding


50


anger with people in any housing estate who believethat they are victims of a set of circumstances andthat anger grows over a period of time the longer theystay here. When children are growing, unfortunatelythe parents pass their anger on to the children andthey react by destroying and their sole gratification isin seeing something that other people are elated bydestroyed. (Gardener)

There is also a perception among tenants thatproblems are not always generated by youngpeople who live on the Estate, but from outside.This results in local youths being unfairly blamed.

People off the estate come on to the estate to…destroy and then to go home and pretend they’reangels and the kids that are on the estate get blamedfor it. Of course they react, because they’re blamed inmany cases unjustly… But most of the big damage isdone by people coming in from other estates…(Gardener)

Reactions from gardeners – gender differences

Reactions from gardeners can exacerbate conflictresulting in an escalation of threats and fear. Onemale gardener outlined his experiences thus:

The problem [is] about the vandalism of the children.[They] jump in the garden, went inside, they went inthe parsley, they pick up plenty [of] my chilli… They[are] looking for trouble. They want to make metrouble… [They] went into the garden of a friend andpick up one pumpkin like this… So I can’t go out inthe Sunday… I [am] scared... Yeah, so I have agarden but I don’t want to go on Sunday. I tell mywife look every time I go to the garden to pick upsome thing,… I come home upset and the childrenattack me. (Gardener)

Another male gardener, who obtained assistancefrom security personnel on the Estate, alsoexperienced abuse. As a result, he changed hisgardening hours to avoid conflict.

I had that problem when I first got my garden, I ended up having to lock it up and going and gettingthe security guard to get them, to remove thembecause they threw stones at me and abused me. I prefer to go down there when there’s nobody downthere and water my garden and come back up andprobably sit down and have my tea then. (Gardener)

Some female gardeners have responded differentlyto their male colleagues. They have been able tomanage problems with teenagers more effectivelyby trying to include them in the Garden, or byexcluding or ignoring them.

Sunday, yeah or Saturday, the children [are] aroundplaying in the playground and some children theywant to come in. But if they come in [and] theybehave I [am] very happy. They can look, they cantalk but [if] this one coming want to destroy where I hold the key, I say ‘no, [if] you come in you behave.I allow you, [as] this is for everybody, you know, but[not] if you do destroying in my plot…' (Gardener)

I’m just ignoring the behaviour because the more youignore this the [less] they doing it. That’s why theywon’t annoying [me]. I don’t want to be like a crazywoman chasing them around. (Gardener)

According to the UNSW Community DevelopmentCoordinator suggestions can sometimes beextreme, such as placing barbed wire on top of theGarden fence. But in the main, gardeners do notwant to see the area turned into a fortress. Whenasked if higher fences would help, one gardenerreplied:

No, because when you like to make it like a prison,[it] make[s] them more upset… Put the wire, youknow, the sharp wire, it’s not friendly. (Gardener)

8.4 Dispute resolution andmanagement supportThere was considerable disagreement about howdisputes in the Garden could best be resolved.Some felt each tenant garden manager should beresponsible, but most interviewees considered thatan external and independent arbitrator wasrequired. The gardeners indicated the Coordinatorof the WRCDP currently fulfilled this role with the


Discussing garden extension plans

51


assistance of the Community Gardens Officer fromSSCC. Most gardeners indicated that it wasessential for the ongoing and effective functioningof the Gardens that these external managementsupport roles continue.

We’ve always had somebody from the Universitysince we started. We need [the WRCDP Coordinator]because she’s not a gardener, she’s from the[University]. Her judgement will be like nofriction… She’s not doing gardening and she’s onneutral ground. (Gardener)

People voiced strong opinions about the need foran external coordinator and many, including activegarden committee members, expressed feelings ofpowerlessness when it came to controllinguncooperative garden members. The Coordinatorof the WRCDP was regarded as holding a positionof authority within the Gardens. The gardenerswere unable to assume this role over their peersand expressed a range of reasons as to why thiswas the case. Some indicated that fellow gardenerswould take no notice of their views. In othersituations, gardeners expressed fears for theirpersonal safety and that of their children, shouldthey challenge what they considered to be badbehaviour on the part of other garden participants.

On a more positive note, a number of gardenerstalked about the importance of the disputescommittee in enabling them to take a greater rolein garden management and conflict resolution.

Yes, we don’t have the power. Even I’m on thecommittee but I can’t be telling them [othergardeners]… ‘you not attending your plot for threeweeks’. I do not have the power. (Gardener)

A number of the gardeners emphasised theimportance of the resource support provided bythe WRCDP and SSCC. Without this they believedthat their access to training, garden materials, skillsdevelopment, and their ability to liaise with theDoH and other relevant government departments,would be seriously limited.

… [The SSCC Community Gardens Officer] also hasbeen involved with the garden for a long time andplenty times [asked] me just to be [there] if shecomes… and told me what I have to do and then justto give me the programs. I think really [think] we doneed someone, an outsider… (Gardener)

The DoH supports the principle of selfmanagement, but also recognises the need forexternal support – preferably independent fromthe Department.

I think it should be a tenant run initiative and Ithink largely it is. Tenants volunteer their time, theyget on, they actually do the gardens… but they mayhave some [need for] support from anotherorganization in terms of administration andaccessing expertise… I believe community gardensbest work if they are a tenant driven initiativesupported by an independent organization. (DoH’s


Waterloo Estate)

The WRCDP Coordinator, while encouraginggardeners to take responsibility for management,also acknowledges that this is a slow process andwill require ongoing resources and externalsupport for both management and horticulturalexpertise.

If you don’t have the resources and the workers tosupport [a community garden], like many things at acommunity level, it will fall away… there are alwaysa couple of people who are prepared to do the work,and take things on… but I don’t think they’ll do itforever… I think that having a skilled communitydevelopment worker as part of the process, peripheralto it at some level, but available, can often be thething that makes that project work. (WRCDP Coordinator)

8.5 Planning and design issuesThroughout all the interviews, numerous issuesrelated to the planning and design of the Gardensarose. These comments identify a number of keyplanning and design considerations that shouldbecome central for other proposed garden projectsin housing estates. The rationale behind garden


Garden management committee meeting

52


site selection and the relationship of the WaterlooCommunity Gardens to existing streetscape trees,shade or microclimate considerations is unclear.The locations of the Gardens work well in theprovision of casual surveillance of open spaceareas from the adjoining residential towers andpedestrians passing-by. In other regards, theGarden locations are problematic. This isparticularly so in relation to excessive shadingfrom adjoining tree canopies and the lack of easyaccess to the street for deliveries of soil andcomposting materials.

Access to sunlight

Site selection for a garden is critical to plantgrowth and production. The gardeners noted aparticular problem with Marton Garden.

… in Marton Garden we’ve got a garden that two-thirds of the time is out of sun, so you’ve got togrow plants that can grow in the shade… The sunleaves around about two o’clock in the afternoon…but there’s some plants that don’t get the sun at all.(Gardener)

This is an important issue which must be carefullyconsidered in the planning stage for anycommunity garden.

Expanding the Garden areas

One of the first issues highlighted by the gardenerswhen the focus group discussion turned to gardenplanning and design was the need to expand theexisting Gardens or develop new ones to meet thedemand.

They do need more [gardens]. I mean Marton andSolander [gardens] are overrun and they have awaiting list of very enthusiastic people. I know thatfrom the leaders. [they have] not so much as we [inthe Cook garden] seem to have… We have gardensthat are spare. (Gardener)

While Cook Garden currently has some sparecapacity, its circular layout makes it difficult toequitably divide plots. At the moment, they aremostly rough ‘wedge-shaped’ plots, but someappear to be larger than others. This had led to the disagreements between gardeners described in Section 8.2.

Separation of plots

There are a number of ways in which allotmentsmight be physically separated, but an importantissue in the Cook Garden is the lack of clear andpermanent definition between individual plots.This has resulted in some territorial disputes about

relative plot size, as well as the loss of direct accessfrom common pathways.

What I find [is] this problem: I can’t get to mygarden. The lady next door to me has beautiful rowsof vegetables, but I cannot get to my garden… Weneed a path, at least a brick wide, to walk up toattend to your garden. (Gardener)

One gardener, however, was attracted to the ideaof a garden without individual allotments – a truecommunal garden – as has been developed onother public housing estates. Nevertheless, for thetime being, it is unlikely that the successfulGardens on the Waterloo Estate will change frombeing separate allotments to a shared communitygarden.

I liked when we went to Minto. I liked the idea ofthat community garden. It was beautiful. It wasn’tfenced, it wasn’t anything. It was just people thathad got together. It was a wonderful garden, wasn’tit? But they have plenty of room for everything too…whereas ours are only small, but starting small.(Gardener)

Fencing design and secure gates

Some of the problems mentioned by the gardenersduring management meetings, such as peoplereaching through the spaces between palings orclimbing over the fences, are design-related issues.The type and height of fencing and the proximityof planting beds to the fence could be altered toreduce these problems. At Marton and SolanderGardens, the planting beds are immediately next tothe fence. By providing a one metre path betweenthe fence and the garden beds, it would be moredifficult for passers-by to reach in and takeproduce.

I think that fencing is essential but I’m not talkingabout ten foot (high) fencing with barbed wire. It’ssymbolic fencing; high enough to make it difficult forpeople to climb over but not impossible. (Gardener)

All three Gardens have locked gates and eachgardener has a key. While this is seen to beessential for security, some of the gardeners feelsafer having the gate locked when they areworking and ensuring that any materials left in thegarden from one session to another are secure. TheGardens also have a lockable tool box.


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Seating in the Gardens

In the focus groups it was suggested that moreseating is required near the Gardens. This wouldenable gardeners and others to rest, relax and takethe time to simply enjoy the Gardens.

… in the [other] Garden they have area for rest, theyhave benches there, they have tables there. We don’thave it in [our] Garden and we want to ask if youcould help us with that. (Gardener)

Composting facilities

The location of composting bins for the Gardens isan issue that came up in discussions about gardenexpansion. All three gardens have integratedcompost areas, but these are not convenientlylocated for street-side deliveries. When straw orsoil is donated, it is difficult and tedious for it to betransported to the Gardens using a wheelbarrowover the adjoining grassed areas. The gardenersrequested that gates to the Gardens be located sothat a small bobcat could directly deliver thesesorts of materials.

Access… makes it incredibly difficult to maintain aneffective composting system because if they want toget straw from the Police Station, it’s got to bedumped miles away and wheelbarrowed in and withtenants who are elderly (or) with a disability it’s areal problem. (SSCC Waste Services Officer)

Other kinds of gardens

In addition to community allotment gardens, thereis the possibility for other garden types to evolveand have a meaningful place, perhaps in areasaround the Estate where one or two tenants maywish to garden on their own. The success of thethree Community Gardens in the Waterloo Estatemay encourage continued support for alternativegardening initiatives.

There are some parts of some blocks of units, forinstance, where one or two tenants who likegardening will grow things in common areas, and…the Department [DoH] through the communitygardens has more awareness and appreciation oftenants who do take that on… so it will be a wholerange of things… more encouragement, moregardens. (DoH’s Community Renewal Coordinator

based on the Waterloo Estate)

Another gardener expressed interest in starting aspecial children’s garden near her building, at leastin part as a means of addressing the previouslydiscussed problems associated with young people.

I believe children should have a plot. I would like tohave a children’s convention and have childrenduring the school holidays, especially at Christmaswhen there’s nothing for them to do, to make ouryard look as nice as Cook. They could do it, I knowthey could, and I know we’d get the plants fromprobably Council, etc. and I thought I’d start thatand I’d do it at Christmas… You see, I’ve had a fewharassments with children and so then I talked tothem and now I’ve got them [saying] 'We’d like agarden’. (Gardener)

Funding and support

It was importantly recognized by some gardenersthat an expansion of the Gardens would requireadditional resources.

Oh yes, if the garden was big enough and you had alittle bit of funds to perpetrate the idea, you couldincorporate things like children gardens and youcould get a lot of this anger out of them… it could bea levelling influence to the whole of the estate becauseif you have a look even at this building, here mostpeople have got stuff on their plot that they’regrowing, growing herbs or flowers or whatever ithappens to be. A lot of people would bring the level of anger down to a stage where I tolerate you becauseyou’re in the garden group even if you’re obnoxious.(Gardener)

And that does happen and will happen to our gardenwhen we get a little bit of money to be able to do thatbut unfortunately to a great degree depends on theCSO [DoH Client Services Officer]. (Gardener)

Others expressed interest in tenants having morecontrol over funding and decision-making.

If DoH said, 'Look, we have certain amounts offunds, let’s sit down and find out what thepossibilities are', and we put a proposition up tothem and said’, ‘Look, this is what we’d like to do'.And in terms of all government organisations, they’dcut you back to half, but you’d get some basis ofagreement that you could sit down and plan. We’renot stupid – the gardeners. There’s some veryintelligent people there and you could plan toaccomplish certain aims and objects which would bebeneficial to both sides… (Gardener)


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Garden expansion update

Since our research was conducted, the UNSWLandscape Architecture Program staff and studentshave been involved in proposing extensions to thetwo smaller gardens – Marton and Solander – inconsultation with the community. The designsincluded a number of the suggestions made by thegardeners in the focus group interviews. Theextensions, incorporating these suggestions, havebeen constructed.

8.6 ConclusionManagement of community gardens is not easyand must be approached carefully and inconsultation with participating gardeners. Whileour research has been specific to the WaterlooEstate Gardens, many of the issues identified arelikely to emerge in other community gardens. Thecritical issue here is that the inevitability of conflictis acknowledged by policy makers and communityworkers and as far as possible, likely sources ofdispute addressed early in the planning stages. Ascan be seen from the research on Waterloo, manyproblems could have been avoided with betterdesign solutions.


The beauty of nature in the Gardens

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Section Three

Conclusions

In this final Section of theReport we bring the research toa close. We summarise themajor points and present a setof recommendations which flowfrom the findings. Our purposeis to ensure that both specificrecommendations for Waterlooand more general suggestionsfor community gardens are ofpractical assistance.Accordingly, therecommendations are groupedunder policy and actionheadings for housing officials,community workers, gardenersand designers.


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9.1 IntroductionThis Report presents important research on theWaterloo Housing Estate Community Gardens.The history and development of the Gardens isdocumented, as are the ways in which the Gardenspositively contribute to the life of tenants on thispublic housing estate. The Report is set in thebroader context of the role of community gardens,health and well-being, multiculturalism,community renewal and safety. In this finalChapter, we summarise the research findings andmake specific policy, strategic and actionrecommendations for all those involved in theestablishment and ongoing management ofcommunity gardens, as well as the most importantstakeholders – the community gardeners.

9.2 Summary of findingsOur findings reveal that the Waterloo CommunityGardens play an important role in enhancingcommunity and social life on the Estate.Individuals reported that participation in theGardens has developed their feelings of connectionand belonging to, as well as ownership of theEstate. The Gardens have provided a place forfriendship and generosity, cultural connection andunderstanding. They are a multicultural settingwhere people from different ethnic and culturalbackgrounds work side-by-side, sharing gardenpractices, produce and recipes. This has helped tobreak down cultural barriers between tenants ofthe Estate, forge new friendships, as well asproviding cultural continuation of gardeningtraditions from previous countries of residence.This is one of the key findings of our researchwhich has not been previously reported.

The Gardens have many physical and emotionalhealth and well-being benefits. Gardening is agood form of physical exercise – a reason to getout of doors, be with others and connect withnature and the life-giving force of plants. TheGardens are a place of peace and relaxation, andfor some of the gardeners, their regular andongoing participation in the project brings a

comfort and purpose to their lives that waspreviously absent. Gardening can be a spiritualactivity, providing a vehicle for joy and happinessand personal renewal, especially for those who feelisolated, lonely and depressed. The Gardensenable tenants to grow a variety of food, medicinalherbs and flowers. This reduces food costs andprovides a source of produce that is sometimesdifficult to obtain otherwise. There is muchpleasure gained from participating in the Garden,being in a natural setting and seeing a seedlinggrow into a mature and healthy plant.Respondents reported enjoying contact with natureand learning new skills, which enabled them toplant, cultivate and harvest a wide variety ofproduce.

Non-gardeners also delight in the Gardens,commenting on the beauty of the growing plantsand flowers, and the way in which the presence of the Gardens has enhanced the public spacesaround the high-rise residential blocks.

Our research also examined management anddesign issues. These encompass a range ofchallenges for gardeners, housing workers andpolicy makers. Management of communitygardens needs to address sources of internal andexternal conflict and ensure that they areeffectively and efficiently resolved. Within theWaterloo Gardens there are disputes over the sizeof allotment, the location of boundaries and whatshould happen to neglected lots. On a broaderlevel, cultural conflicts and misunderstandings canarise when people garden differently, plantunusual produce or enjoy the gardens in wayswhich reflect their different cultural and/or familybackgrounds. Often these disagreements can besolved relatively easily if there is an awareness ofthe conflict, its origins and a willingness to find amutually acceptable solution. The solution maydiffer from garden to garden. Leadership withinand beyond the garden can be an important paththrough difficulties, as can garden managementprotocols and the development of culturalunderstandings.

9 Conclusions and recommendations

conclusions: conclusions and recommendations


57


We also found that external sources of conflicthave impacted on the Gardens in the WaterlooHousing Estate. These mainly involve conflict withchildren and youth who are perceived to bedisrespectful of the gardeners and their activities.Stories of unacceptable behaviour were related ininterviews. Understandings of why these conflictsemerge, as well as working across the Estate morebroadly to engage young people in meaningfulactivities, are part of the solution here. Exploringthe possibilities for special gardens for youth, aswell as garden outreach and education programs,are approaches which can also be tried andadopted.

Dispute resolution and management support arecritical to the ongoing development and success of community gardens and we makerecommendations regarding these. We also makespecific recommendations about planning anddesign issues for community gardens that emergedas problematic in this research. Careful design canavoid minor, yet annoying issues, which may beexpensive or even impossible to reverse once in place.

There are mixed feelings about the contributionthat the Gardens make to safety on the Estate. Theliterature certainly points to improvements inpeople’s perceptions of safety in public areas whenthere is more activity and human presence in anarea. Some of the gardeners reported feeling saferin the Estate now that there are more people outand about in the previously undeveloped andoften isolated open space around the residentialtower blocks, but others felt threatened or upset byanti-social behaviour in and near the Garden area.More research is required into this aspect of theWaterloo Housing Estate and the impact that thecommunity gardens have had on all tenants'perception of safety, and whether in real terms,there has been a decline in criminal activity sincethe Gardens have been developed.

9.3 RecommendationsRecommendations for the establishment,management and day-to-day operation ofcommunity gardens in public housing estatesgenerally flow from this research on the WaterlooHousing Estate’s Community Gardens. Therecommendations fall into the categories of policy,strategic planning and practical suggestions. Inturn, these different categories have relevance forall stakeholders involved in every stage ofcommunity garden establishment, managementand participation:

• Public housing authorities;• Housing workers;• Community workers;• Gardeners; and• Garden designers and landscape contractors.

The recommendations are listed below to facilitatetheir usefulness across the identified groups.

Policy recommendations for public housing authorities

• Actively pursue development of communitygardens in public housing estates as animportant contribution to community andpersonal renewal and empowerment.

• Ensure adequate and ongoing resourcing forcommunity garden projects (in terms of moneyand staff time, including training and access tospecialised support organisations).

• In establishing community gardens, pursuepartnerships with other agencies (for example,different community-based organisations; localcouncils; neighbourhood schools; TAFE colleges;botanical gardens; gardening groups; recyclingand sustainability groups).

• Undertake participatory processes across allareas of planning, development,implementation, and ongoing management of community gardens.

• Ensure that expected outcomes are realistic andaddress the self-identified needs and goals ofthe communities in which they are located.


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Policy principles for community and housing workers

• Recognise the unique dynamics of each gardenand that there are multiple ways of managingand supporting different gardens and gardeners.

• Recognise that there are different models forgarden layout/organisation (separate allotmentsare not necessarily the best or only option).

• Involve the community at the outset - thegardens must be led and fuelled by communitydesire for a community garden. A garden foistedon the community by those in management isdoomed to fail.

• Ensure community ownership of the project –this will naturally follow from a community –led project.

• Maintain communication between stakeholders(from the public housing authority to theindividual gardeners) at all stages of planning,implementation and development of the garden.

• Provide opportunities for community reviewduring the planning and implementationprocess.

• Look for opportunities to include marginalizedand special needs groups (for example, peoplewith disabilities; NESB; youth; children) in thegardens. This may require strategically targetingspecific groups and the provision of asupportive infrastructure (for example,translators; culturally appropriate meetingplaces; education and motivational programs).

• Develop cultural and social understandings ofdiverse gardening needs, dreams and hopes ofthe different groups in the garden (for example,the cultural relevance of gardens to differentethnic groups and how this is manifested ingardening activities).

Implementation strategies for housing andcommunity workers

• Work with the community to identify goals fortheir gardens (there may be different goals fordifferent gardens).

• Assist each garden to elect a management groupand provide access to training in managementskills.

• Assist each garden management group todevelop a garden protocol which sets out rulesand regulations for acceptable, tolerant andconsiderate garden practices.

• Assist the management group to develop agrievance process and to develop skills inconflict resolution.

• Encourage on-going self-management of thegardens, but recognise that there may be limitsof capacity for some communities, particularlyin the area of applying regulations and resolvingdisputes. Housing and community workersneed to be willing to step in when conflicts getout of hand and/or require an outsider to makea decision. Skills in mediation and conflictresolution are accordingly required bycommunity and housing workers.

• Where the community expresses a need, orwhere one is clearly recognised, put in placesome form of external support for the garden –for example, the need for ‘independent’management support via a local communityagency.

• Establish a broad base of support which is notsolely dependent on the public housingauthority and/or the gardeners. Support, bothdirect funding and in-kind for materials,information and training, can be found from a wide variety of sources including, but notexclusively, horticultural groups; botanicalgardens; local councils; environmental andrecycling groups; regional waste boards;educational institutions; nurseries and othercommercial/industrial operations; city farmnetworks.

• Ensure that there is adequate resourcing forgardens – this includes garden supplies, as wellas resourcing of translations for NESBgardeners.


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Recommendations for gardeners and community workers

• Accept other individual gardening goals andstyles. This is best addressed in the gardenprotocol, which outlines rules and regulationsfor acceptable and considerate gardeningpractices. The garden protocol is also linked tothe development of cultural understandings andacceptance of different approaches to the role ofthe garden, and ways of undertaking plantingand cultivation.

• Recognise the benefits of sharing gardeningknowledge, produce and recipes – there is greatpotential for the garden to be a heterogeneous,multicultural place.

• Organise regular gardening social activities so that gardeners get to know and betterunderstand each other. This will lay thefoundation for a harmonious community ofmulticultural gardeners, enhancing toleranceand acceptance.

• Be proactive in seeking outside support forgarden activities. Work with the housing andcommunity officers in targeting appropriategroups for support.

• Commit to the smooth running of the garden(this will be enhanced by the development of agarden protocol, adequate management supportand having appropriate grievance procedures in place).

• Be active in managing participation in thegarden. Seek outside assistance if necessary (forexample, if a difficult dispute cannot beresolved).

• Look for opportunities to promote gardens/recruit other tenants; network with othercommunity gardens.

Recommendations for garden designers andlandscape contractors

• The provision of adequate, secure, shared andconveniently located storage for garden tools,materials and compost is essential in communitygarden designs.

• Gardens should be located to receive good solaraccess to all plots.

• Conflict with the root zones of trees outside thegarden should be minimized to prevent loss ofwater and nutrients to both the tree and theplants in the garden as well as to preventdamage to tree roots by gardening activity.Where there is unavoidable overlap,consideration should be given to raising thegarden beds above ground level to minimisepotential damage.

• Design accessibility for the elderly and peoplewith disabilities must be considered. Raisedgarden plots, to about 450 mm, are easier toaccess and provide a sitting edge for workingthe plot. Waist-high gardening ‘tables’ for thosewith mobility problems can also beincorporated. These should be considered wherethere will be a need for them.

• Access for unloading soil and compost materialsneeds to be incorporated in the design. Ensureplacement of garden plots will allow easy accessfor truck deliveries of soil, planting mix, strawfor compost and other material. Not only mustthere be adequate delivery access from thestreet, but the design of internal garden bedsalso needs to accommodate large deliveries.

• Garden design needs to take into accountaccessibility throughout the garden and betweenthe plots.

• Design and provide seating areas within andnear the gardens for enjoyment of gardenersand passers-by.

• Adequate water sources need to be providedthroughout the garden.

• Adequate drainage needs to be provided.

• Good quality soil provision is essential – thissoil can then be enriched with composting andappropriate fertilization.

• Ensure provision of composting facilities for useby gardeners, and education about compostingand recycling, so that this can be doneeffectively.


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9.4 A bountiful harvest

… I think the gardens are a great strategy and theyshould continue to be supported and expanded. (DoH


Waterloo Estate)

This research has documented the history anddevelopment of the Community Gardens on theWaterloo Housing Estate. The research hasaffirmed that these Gardens foster communitydevelopment and neighbourhood improvement ina public housing context. They also demonstratethe importance of community gardens as amulticultural place where cultural stereotypes andmisunderstandings can be broken down and newfriendships formed across ethnicity, gender and age.

The research shows that the Community Gardenshave, and continue to play, a key role in improvinglife on the Waterloo Housing Estate. Not only havethe Gardens made a significant contribution to thebeautification of the open spaces around theresidential tower blocks, they have become animportant part of the daily lives of those involvedin gardening activities. The personal benefits thatthe gardens provide are considerable,encompassing improvements in participants’physical and mental health, the provision of freshfood and a feeling of community belonging andresponsibility.

This research has also provided the broadercontext of community gardens showing that theyplay a multitude of roles across differentcommunities and situations.

In the public housing context, community gardensare not, however, a panacea to solve the complexarray of social and cultural problems evident onpublic housing estates. Community gardens mustbe part of an integrated social, economic andenvironmental strategic approach. Our researchhas confirmed that community gardens have greatpotential for personal development, socialinteraction and community renewal on publichousing estates. They must, however, be initiated,developed and managed in concert with thecommunity. Done in this way, their success isensured and a bountiful harvest reaped!


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references

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working together for more equitable and sustainable housing,Proceedings of RAIA 1998 National Housing Conference,Sydney.

Judd, B., Baldry, E., Samuels, R. and Zehner, R. (1999)Neighbourhood Improvement and Community Cohesion in the

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appendices

Appendix One

Questions for Focus Groups

Introduction

Background details of the gardeners – age group,gender, ethnicity, physical ability, residentialhousehold type (single, family, couple, etc.).

What sort of residential accommodation do youlive in (high rise flat; walk up flat; terrace house orsimilar)?

Length of involvement in the garden?

Why did you become involved in the gardens?

Do you plan to continue your involvement?

Theme: Activity/therapeutic benefit

How much time do you spend in the garden –how does gardening fit in with your otheractivities (to get an idea of the primacy ofgardening activity in the gardener’s lives)?

How does working in the garden make you feel(sense of purpose)?

What sorts of plants do you have in your plot?How do you use these plants in your daily life (useof gardens for cooking; flowers for aesthetics; otherpurposes)?

Has the garden affected you in terms of thepractical aspects of the sort of accommodation inwhich you live (i.e. high rise building; three storeywalk-up flat; terrace house or similar)?

Has the garden impacted on your attitudes andfeelings about living in a high rise building? Doyou feel differently about living in high rise nowthat you are involved in the garden?

Theme: Social function

Did you know many of your fellow tenants in theestate before joining the garden?

Since joining the garden have you made newfriends? Do you see people from the garden inother situations?

How does being a gardener make you feelcompared to before you had the gardens to work in?

How do you think others in the estate regard thegardens and those who have a plot?

Theme: Ownership and belonging

How long have you lived on the estate? Do youfeel like you belong to the estate? Are you happyliving here? Why/why not?

Did you feel differently about living on the estatebefore the garden was established?

Does participation in the garden give you a senseof belonging to the estate?


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appendices

Theme: Safety

Do you feel safe in the area/estate?

Do you think the gardens have contributed tomaking the estate a safer place?

If so, how do you think the gardens havecontributed to making the estate safer?

What do you think other tenants who are notgardeners, think about safety on the estate sincethe gardens have started?

Theme: Cultural diversity

Since joining the garden have you learnt anythingabout other cultures?

What sort of things have you learnt?

Have you shared anything with someone fromanother culture (e.g. learning new words;swapping gardening hints; exchanging recipes;other)?

Has your involvement in the garden helped you tobetter understand different cultures?

Theme: Managing the gardens

How well designed is the garden? Are changesneeded?

What are your thoughts on how the gardens aremanaged? Should the management be different?Should the gardeners have more autonomy inmanaging the gardens? Do you think the gardenswould continue if solely managed by thegardeners?

Should the DoH be more or less involved in themanagement of the gardens? How should theWRCDP Coordinator and the students be used inmanaging the gardens? What about theinvolvement of South Sydney Council? Any othercomments about garden management?

What sorts of conflicts have emerged in yourgarden?

How have you tried to resolve these things? Hasyour approach been successful?


64

appendices

Appendix Two

Selected Community Garden Resources

Organisation Information/resources Contacts

Local

UNSW UNSW Community Development Project Dr Eileen BaldrySchool of Social Work (UNSW CDP) [email protected]

UNSW UNSW Community Development Project Dr Bruce JuddFaculty of the Built Environment (UNSW CDP) [email protected]

Landscape Architecture Program – Linda Corkery, Head of Programgarden planning, design and development [email protected]

UNSW Eco-Living Program Permaculture, garden construction Cameron Little, Program Directorand management [email protected]

Royal Botanic Gardens Plant selection, plants, propagation Janelle Hatherly, techniques, feeding and caring for Community Education Managergardens [email protected]

Stephen Paul, [email protected]

NSW Department of Housing Community gardens in other Michelle Robersonhousing estates Director, Community Regeneration

Housing [email protected]

South Sydney City Council Community garden funding, Community Gardens Officerwaste reduction, composting www.sscc.nsw.gov.au

Your Local Council Information on community gardens Parks and Gardens Department in your local government area or Community Services

Department

Australian Community Gardens News about community gardens around Russ GraysonNetwork the country; examples of garden www.magna.com.au/~pacedge/garden

constitutions; tips for getting gardensstarted and managing them

Cultivating Community Not-for-profit organisation promoting cultivating-community-community gardening in Victoria [email protected]


65

appendices

Organisation Information/resources Contacts

International

City Farmer’s Most extensive web-based resource on www.cityfarmer.orgUrban Agriculture Organisation urban agriculture and urban forestry

programs; based in Vancouver, Canada Michael Levenston, Directorbut reporting on events and activities [email protected]; excellent web links on many topics and news items related to community gardens

National Society of Allotment UK-based organization; newsletter of www.nsalg.demon.co.ukand Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) events, information on garden management,

composting, etc; associated with Royal Horticultural Society

American Community Clearinghouse website with many useful www.communitygarden.orgGardening Association links for community gardens all over the

United States; annual conference; excellent publications to order and some information to download

Community Gardens Forum Discussion website for all aspects of www.gardenweb.com/forumsorganizing and participating in community gardens

Common Ground Garden Master Gardeners Program: gardening, University of California Extension ServiceProgram composting, preparing and preserving the Website:

harvest; water conservation, waste www.celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/gardenreduction and recycling, community-owned horticulture businesses; volunteer training; excellent publications

Boston Natural Areas Network Coordinates activities and events related to www.bostonnatural.orgall of Boston’s 250 community and school gardens; training programs, garden education

West Philadelphia Landscape Documentation of this project at University www.upenn.edu/wplpProject of Pennsylvania Landscape Architecture

Program that has included the design and development of over 60 gardens with inner-city communities


66 A Bounti ful Harvest: Community Gardens and Neighbourhood Renewal in Water loo


A Bountiful Harvest


A B

ountiful Harvest C

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unity Gardens and N

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a bountiful harvest - built environment · 2013. 4. 11. · sharing produce 5.4 a community of...

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