Views: 0 Author: aumabio Publish Time: 2024-12-27 Origin: aumabio/internet
In recent years, China's rapid urbanization has led to the deterioration of urban ecological environments, and urban residents find themselves increasingly distanced from nature. As people’s yearning for agricultural experiences and a return to nature intensifies, especially after the pandemic, the concept of green health has emerged as a significant societal focus. In this context, the design of a “shared garden” landscape for residential areas offers a creative solution to both ecological and social challenges. The design integrates therapeutic and wellness concepts into urban life by transforming unused or abandoned land in residential communities into a multifunctional green space for health, relaxation, and community gardening.
This new urban farming model allows city dwellers to reconnect with nature, grow food, and engage in therapeutic activities, which can help alleviate physical and mental stress caused by urban living. At the same time, it serves to increase urban green coverage, improve the ecological environment, and beautify the urban space.
This design concept revolves around the idea of creating a therapeutic and restorative space within the urban environment. By turning neglected urban land into shared gardens, the design aims to reconnect city dwellers with nature in ways that are both practical and beneficial to their well-being. In doing so, the design fosters a healthier urban lifestyle and increases urban green spaces, addressing the growing demand for sustainable urban development.
In this new urban context, gardens are no longer limited to rural areas. They become shared spaces where everyone—whether students, housewives, teachers, office workers, or others—can participate in gardening, regardless of their background in agriculture. The term “new” refers not only to the diversity of people engaging in gardening but also to the location of these gardens within urban settings instead of traditional rural farms.
The core objectives of this design are:
To Revitalize Abandoned Urban Land: The design focuses on repurposing abandoned or underutilized urban spaces, turning them into green sanctuaries for the public. These areas will feature modular planting systems that allow for diverse crops to be grown in a compact, community-friendly format.
To Improve Physical and Mental Health: By providing urban residents with easy access to natural spaces and activities like gardening, the design aims to reduce stress, anxiety, and other issues related to urban life. Engaging with nature has proven to offer significant therapeutic benefits, and this shared garden can be a space where residents can unwind and reconnect with the natural world.
To Promote Community Engagement and Social Wellness: The design encourages social interaction and cooperation. It serves as a platform for residents to not only grow food together but also engage in community-building activities, fostering stronger bonds among neighbors. By creating a sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership, the garden helps to strengthen community ties and enhance social cohesion.
To Enhance Urban Ecology: By increasing green spaces in cities, the design contributes to improving the local ecosystem, mitigating urban heat island effects, and enhancing air and water quality. Additionally, the garden promotes biodiversity by creating habitats for various plants, insects, and other wildlife.
To Foster a Sustainable and Circular Urban System: The garden's design integrates sustainable practices, including water conservation, waste recycling, and organic farming techniques. The system can serve as a model for circular urban agriculture, where waste products such as food scraps and organic waste are repurposed for composting and soil health.
Modular Planting Systems: The shared garden will include various planting modules, such as raised beds, vertical gardens, and hydroponic systems, which can be tailored to the needs of different users. These systems are designed for easy access and maintenance, ensuring that everyone, from children to elderly residents, can participate in gardening activities.
Therapeutic and Relaxation Zones: In addition to gardening spaces, the design will incorporate rest areas such as benches, shaded areas, and small open-air pavilions where people can relax and enjoy nature. These spaces will be designed to promote mental relaxation and offer a peaceful retreat from the stresses of urban life.
Sustainable Water Management: Water will be a key element of the design, with the use of rainwater harvesting systems and efficient irrigation methods to minimize water waste. The garden will also integrate composting systems to recycle organic waste and enhance soil fertility, further reducing the ecological footprint.
Diverse Plant Selection: The shared garden will feature a mix of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and ornamental plants, allowing residents to grow a variety of crops based on seasonal availability and personal preferences. The design will incorporate plants that are both edible and aesthetically pleasing, ensuring that the space is not only functional but also visually appealing.
Community Education and Workshops: The shared garden will host educational events and workshops focused on urban agriculture, sustainable gardening practices, and mental wellness. These events will aim to raise awareness of the benefits of gardening and sustainable living, fostering a deeper connection between residents and their environment.
The design philosophy centers on wellness, sustainability, and community connection. By integrating elements of nature therapy, the garden is intended to be a healing space that promotes mental health and physical well-being. The use of modular planting systems makes the garden adaptable to various spaces and enables residents to cultivate plants that are meaningful to them, whether for aesthetic, culinary, or therapeutic purposes.
The word “new” in the design refers to both the concept of urban farming and the diversity of people engaging in the activity. Rather than being limited to rural communities, the shared garden brings farming into urban life, allowing residents to experience the joy of cultivation and the therapeutic benefits of nature within their own neighborhoods.
Community engagement: The shared garden encourages collaboration among residents and fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Social inclusion: It provides opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in farming, regardless of prior experience or resources.
Environmental Impact:
Sustainability: The garden promotes sustainable agricultural practices and supports biodiversity, enhancing the urban ecosystem.
Ecological restoration: By transforming abandoned spaces into green areas, the garden helps restore the ecological balance in urban environments.
Economic Impact:
Local food production: The garden can increase local food production, reducing dependence on external food sources and enhancing food security within urban areas.
Economic empowerment: By involving residents in agricultural activities, the garden can offer opportunities for income generation, such as through the sale of produce or the establishment of small-scale agricultural businesses.
This urban "new" farm landscape design addresses the growing needs of modern cities by transforming unused urban spaces into shared gardens that foster health, wellness, and community connections. Through the integration of green spaces, sustainable farming practices, and therapeutic gardening, the design offers an innovative solution to urban stress and the loss of natural spaces. It not only enhances the quality of life for urban residents but also contributes to the broader goals of urban sustainability, ecological restoration, and social cohesion.
