Could our public spaces be used more imaginatively and productively? We think so! Many overlooked urban areas have the potential to be transformed into growing space that could provide food for humans and wildlife, create habitats, and support biodiversity. There’s a substantial body of evidence that exposure to nature, often limited in urban environments, is intrinsically linked to human wellbeing. And in the face of climate change, urban greening is a proven strategy for keeping cities cool.
With so many potential benefits, we want to make it easier for communities to get growing in their neighbourhoods. We collaborated on the Edible Streets Project with Oxford Brookes and Oxfordshire County Council Public Health to produce a Guide to Community Growing in Urban Streetscapes. With case studies of successful projects, advice on how to negotiate issues of land ownership and permission, information on local funding and much more, we hope this document will help more Oxfordshire gardening projects come to fruition!
Working towards a greener, more biodiverse urban environment is important to us here at Sow Space. Get in touch to collaborate, or if you’d like us to help you achieve positive change on your project.