City of Cape Town Community Garden Programme

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

INTRODUCTION

Community Gardens defined

Background

Objectives

Guiding principles

Implementation process (Training, current status, etc.)

Profile of selected community gardens

Challenges & Benefits

Future Plans

Conclusion

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.

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.

BACKGROUND-continued

Time Lines

Concept developed in 2010

Survey of existing gardens conducted in 2011

4 Pilot projects identified and implemented 2010/11 financial

year

Funding

Allocated R200 000 in operational funding first year

Allocation increased on an annual basis to accommodate new

projects

Received capital funding from municipal grants-USDG 2013/14

City of Cape Town Community Garden Programme

OBJECTIVES

Promoting

Horticulture,

landscaping and

gardening as a

recreational

activity

Enabling

Environment for

horticultural

activities by

communities

Creating Quality Public Open

Spaces

Improve

utilisation of

public open

spaces

KEY OBJECTIVES


GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Management of

expectation risks

Minimize “gate

keeping”

Accessibility

Minimisation

of waste to

address

climate

change

Equitable

support

Integration

to local POS

profile

Community

Gardening Project

Biodiversity

protection &

sustainability


IMPLEMENTATION

Selection criteria

Land availability

Neighbors are supportive Community groups showing interest and commitment

Current use of the facility


IMPLEMENTATION continued…

Conditions

Assessment by project team

Signing of a Community Garden Agreement

Adhere to conditions of agreement

Observe City bylaws

Accessibility

City of Cape Town Community Garden ProgrammeIMPLEMENTATION continued…

City of Cape Town Community Garden ProgrammeIMPLEMENTATION 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

5th year of the project

42 projects to date

In situ training provided to gardeners

Certification and field trips where possible

Operational Budget allocation - R1 800 000

since inception.

R342 000 Capital Budget investment

Individuals & Groups

Increased demand/requests

Current Status


IMPLEMENTATION continued…

City of Cape Town Community Garden ProgrammePROFILING…

Vyeboom – Bonteheuwel


PROFILING… Sunflower CG


PROFILING… Larkspur CG

City of Cape Town Community Garden

Programme PROFILING… Madeliefie CG


PROFILING… Agretjie


PROFILING… Canal Walk CG


PROFILING… Rosa Hope Park - Woodlands


PROFILING… Sampson Park - Atlantis


PROFILING… On site Training

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


CHALLENGES…

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


BENEFITS…

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


FUTURE PLANS

Thank You

Documents

City of Cape Town Community Garden Programme