Greening and Growing with Communities: City of Cape Town Community Gardening Project showcasing a working partnership with Communities

Transcription

1 Greening and Growing with Communities: City of Cape Town Community Gardening Project showcasing a working partnership with Communities Presented by: Nondumiso Magija / Date: 29 September 2014

2 INTRODUCTION Community Gardens defined Background Objectives Guiding principles Implementation process (Training, current status, etc.) Profile of selected community gardens Challenges & Benefits Future Plans Conclusion

3 COMMUNITY GARDENS DEFINED A parcel of public open space operated by the community (with the assistance of the municipality), where the site is used for: Horticultural enjoyment by its members through allotment or shared plots; & Demonstration gardening or where other environmental activities are undertaken to bring together people from diverse backgrounds & different abilities, ages & cultures.

4 BACKGROUND-Why Community Gardens? Greening Strategy-Beautification & Landscaping Sector Plan Horticulture to enhance aesthetic value of Open Spaces Focus - landscaping, horticulture & garden development Community Gardening a means to: Develop a network of quality POS Increase use & protection of POS Encourage community participation Contribute to community well being, positive interaction, capacity building, education & sustainability.

5 BACKGROUND-continued Time Lines Concept developed in 2010 Survey of existing gardens conducted in Pilot projects identified and implemented 2010/11 financial year Funding Allocated R in operational funding first year Allocation increased on an annual basis to accommodate new projects Received capital funding from municipal grants-usdg 2013/14

6 OBJECTIVES Improve utilisation of public open spaces Creating Quality Public Open Spaces Enabling Environment for horticultural activities by communities Promoting Horticulture, landscaping and gardening as a recreational activity KEY OBJECTIVES

7 GUIDING PRINCIPLES Minimize gate keeping Management of expectation risks Integration to local POS profile Equitable support Biodiversity protection & sustainability Accessibility Community Gardening Project Minimisation of waste to address climate change

8 IMPLEMENTATION Selection criteria Land availability Neighbors are supportive Community groups showing interest and commitment Current use of the facility

9 IMPLEMENTATION continued Conditions Assessment by project team Signing of a Community Garden Agreement Adhere to conditions of agreement Observe City bylaws Accessibility

10 IMPLEMENTATION continued

11 IMPLEMENTATION continued City Parks support Awareness raising & promotion Professional information & guidance Land allocation Site preparation Facilitate in-kind support & set-up capability Ensure public consultation & participation

12 IMPLEMENTATION continued Current Status 5 th year of the project 42 projects to date In situ training provided to gardeners Certification and field trips where possible Operational Budget allocation - R since inception. R Capital Budget investment Individuals & Groups Increased demand/requests

13 PROFILING Vyeboom Bonteheuwel

14 PROFILING Sunflower CG

15 PROFILING Larkspur CG

16 City of Cape Town Community Garden Programme PROFILING Madeliefie CG

17 PROFILING Agretjie

18 PROFILING Canal Walk CG

19 PROFILING Rosa Hope Park - Woodlands

20 PROFILING Sampson Park - Atlantis

21 PROFILING On site Training

22 CHALLENGES Water Demand Management Demand for food gardens Resource & funding capacity Overlaps with other Departments Planning & design Time of impact not immediate Demand for payment/jobs Volunteers & continuity of projects Opportunists

23 BENEFITS More visibility in Community Parks Increased utilization of POS Aesthetic value of POS Actively involved community members which assist in management of POS (ownership, reduction of vandalism, etc.). Opportunities to partner with private sector & NGO s. Integration with other City Departments. Accepted as part of World Design Capital Projects 2014

24 FUTURE PLANS Capacity building through: Developing new gardens Enhancement of existing gardens Training & Development of Gardeners Formalize recognition programme & introduction of a garden competition Identify Alternative Resource & funding capacity Develop Impact Measurement Tool Establish a development planto ensure sustainability Build partnerships with other organizations doing similar work

25 Thank You