{"id":8703,"date":"2023-04-20T13:06:35","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T11:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=8703"},"modified":"2023-04-25T11:02:32","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T09:02:32","slug":"8703","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/8703\/8703\/","title":{"rendered":"Community gardens in Berlin: places to grow together"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-made raised beds, seating areas, flowers and plants everywhere: community gardens provide green spaces in the urban jungle. But one thing is even more important: they contribute to the society and promote inclusion as three examples in Berlin show.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colorful, creative, diverse: Germany’s capital Berlin has a lot to offer. While most people only think about the artistic or the clubbing scene when talking about the city, another special feature must be mentioned: its urban gardening scene. According to Marion Ernwein, researcher at the Department of Geography and Environment at the Universit\u00e9 de Gen\u00e8ve in Switzerland, the term \u201curban gardening\u201d combines inner city allotments, practices related to the growing of food within and near cities, as well as community gardens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These community gardens are collectively managed and usually occupy a small area shared by all gardeners. They first appeared in the 70s in North America, while Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands focused more on allotment gardens, children farms or adventure playgrounds. In the 80s, the trend came to Germany and in 1999, Berlin’s first community garden called \u201cKid’s Garden\u201d was created on a field site in Neuk\u00f6lln. Today, more than 200 community gardens can be found in Berlin, according to the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

The positive effects of these gardens are huge: \u201cWe need nature and gardens in the city for biodiversity and species diversity\u201d, explains Klaus Neumann, president of the \u201cDeutsche Gartenbau Gesellschaft 1822 e. V.\u201c (Eng.: German Garden Society). Moreover, community gardens contribute to a healthy urban climate, promote togetherness, and revitalize public spaces that are used by people and animals. Thus, they can be used as inclusive tools for community building and social integration, as Ernwein writes. That usage can be seen in the community garden of the club \u201cGemeinschaftsgarten Allmende Kontor e. V.\u201d in Berlin\u2019s district Tempelhof, in the so-called \u201cNaschgarten\u201d in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, and in the \u201cSchleifengarten\u201d in Pankow. All three gardens contribute to the societies of its districts and organize events or start projects to include everyone who is interested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Allmende-Kontor<\/b><\/h2>\n

The former airport Tempelhof is one of the largest open city places in the world and a well-known spot in Berlin. Here, one of the biggest community gardens in Berlin can be found: <\/span>Allmende-Kontor<\/a>. The garden was founded in 2011 with 10 beds and about 20 people. Today, the garden occupies an area of 5000 square meters, has more than 250 beds and more than 500 members. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Allmende-Kontor: name of the garden and official club since 2014<\/p>\n

Despite its large size, the community garden is self-organized by the club \u201cGemeinschaftsgarten Allmende-Kontor e. V.\u201d, which was founded in 2014. For better organization, the garden is divided into nine different color groups with 20 to 40 beds each, summarized in a <\/span>bed plan<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWe encourage people to organize themselves. So, different people are in charge of the groups, and they can implement their ideas without talking to the organization team\u201d, explains Juan Coka, member of the organization team. \u201cThe groups are also part of our water calendar. So, each group must fill the water containers three or four times a year\u201d, adds Kristin Hensel, another member of the organization team.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"Well organized: every bed has its own color and number<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\"\"Very important: the water containers must be filled by the groups<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"New ideas: Juan and Kristin always think about improvement<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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\"\"Little gardeners: the kita \u201cTimbales\u201d has its own bed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The community garden is open for everyone. From kindergarten kids, who farm their own bed, over people of the neighborhood to gardeners from districts far away like Wedding. Also, tourists are welcomed in the garden. Further information about the community can be found in the audio clip with Juan and Kristin:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n