When trying to define and determine the scope of integration of allotment and community gardens in Warsaw, the complexity of this phenomenon emerges, along with the difficulty in defining one type or scenario for such cooperation. Each garden has different internal structure, in mention just a few: social, governance or relationship between members as well as divergent position that undertakes in the wider urban realm, way of noting the need for cooperation and existing attitudes towards integration. In some cases, gardens have gone further and even came up with some ideas for integration in the form of concrete activities for such integration.
In the first stage of our research we distinguished three basic physical dimensions of the process. Integration can happen, starting with primary, between members (gardeners), inside-outside (garden-community) and between this two types of gardens (community gardens and allotment gardens). The conceptual dimension relates primarily to joint development, discussion space and integration activities (cooperation with social organizations, joint learning, discussion forum, joint celebration). In this aspect, Warsaw, on a national scale appears interesting.
In the following overview highlight certain events, also important from the law point of view governing the existence of gardens, as well as programs, recommendations and other documents or episodes that may seemingly not evoke integration in the strict sense but represent a step in this direction.
Photo Jodie Baltazar, baltazarworks.com
1. PIXXE – Projects for the Experimental Exploration of the Environment (2012-ongoing) by Jodie Baltazar; garden plot and open compost box in wild plot next to the Familly Allotment Gardens “Zelmot” (Rakowiec district); In April 2017, Jodie formalized the station by creating “open hours” once a week during which residents could drop off waste or just stop by and learn how to compost;
2. Community Garden “Jedność” in allotment garden colony in Czerniaków district (2012-2016); one of the first community gardens in Warsaw;
photo from Ogród Wspólnotowy Jedność
3. Law about Family Allotment Gardens (Ustawa z dnia 13 grudnia 2013 r. o rodzinnych ogrodach działkowych) which define the rules of functioning of allotment gardens, finally, protect the gardens from uncontrolled liquidation;
4. Warszawscy Działkowcy (2015-2016) – Warsaw’s allotment gardeners – documentation, interviews with gardeners, open meetings and workshops in allotment garden ROD Obrońców Pokoju; as part of the project was held a meeting with presentation of different community gardens led by their representatives (March 2016) that could present community gardening for allotment gardeners; the project continues, promoting Warsaw’s allotments to a wider audience;
photo from Warszawscy Działkowcy
5. Social Development Program for Family Allotment Gardens (2016) by Polish Association of Allotment Gardens (PZD); The program encourages gardens to undertake various types of activities, presenting proposals for events and initiatives, the implementation of which will bring the gardens closer to people and allow the gardens to fully realize their pro-social functions;
6. “Piwonia” Community Garden (2016-2018) in the Family Allotment Garden “Piwonia” in Mokotów district. It was created by a group of friends who jointly took up the challenge of revitalizing the neglected plot in allotment garden colony;
photo from Ogród Społecznościowy Piwonia
7. Zielony Weekend (2017) – meeting format for community gardeners, activists and Greenery Office; during the workshop, groups discussed the challenges and potential of school gardens, community gardens and allotments; the meeting was also a diagnosis which was the basis for developing the programme for community gardens Bujna Warszawa (Luxuriant Warsaw);
8. Bujna Warszawa (2017-ongoing) – cooperation between Warsaw Greenery Authority and non-governmental organization Pracownia Dóbr Wspólnych; which main aim is to promote and support community gardening in Warsaw; In 2019 SAM Rozkwit joined to Bujna Warszawa and, in agreement with regional department of the Polish Association of Allotment Gardeners was conducting community based “Naprzód Działki” (eng. Onward, allotments) where organize open events and social consultations in different allotment gardens in Warsaw.
TBC…
