Edible LandscapesEdible LandscapesPlanting on Low-Cost Urban Housing Communities

GK Project in QCGK Project in QC2

For the requirements of a graduate thesis, one student, Ms. Julieta Santos was motivated to conduct a project through applied, participatory approach in developing a micro-urban agriculture to a socialized housing, a Gawad Kalinga Project in Brgy. Kapit-Bisig, Central Avenue, Tandang Sora. In presenting her knowledge and skill in landscape architecture to improve the community (about half a hectare of lot) by using edible plants as landscape design elements, Ms. Santos was able to encourage participation of the residents to plant and improve their place. As a form of evaluation to note the changes and improvements, the users were surveyed before the commencement, during and after the project was implemented.

For the requirements of a graduate thesis, one student, Ms. Julieta Santos was motivated to conduct a project through applied, participatory approach in developing a micro-urban agriculture to a socialized housing, a Gawad Kalinga Project in Brgy. Kapit-Bisig, Central Avenue, Tandang Sora. In presenting her knowledge and skill in landscape architecture to improve the community (about half a hectare of lot) by using edible plants as landscape design elements, Ms. Santos was able to encourage participation of the residents to plant and improve their place. As a form of evaluation to note the changes and improvements, the users were surveyed before the commencement, during and after the project was implemented.

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Urban Agriculture in QCUrban Agriculture in QC

4ExamplesExamples

MethodologyMethodology

Economic Parameters Survey of what is “affordable cost” for

the residents of low cost housing Survey of affordable materials Behavioral Analysis Survey of gardening & maintenance

procedures normally done by residents

Garden Types Survey of common plant species

grown in low cost housing

Criteria in Choosing MaterialsCriteria in Choosing Materials

allow growth of native plant species or natural vegetation

Allow growth of edible plants as food for residents

Aesthetically pleasing flexible to create

dynamic planting designs

Easy to maintain

7Criteria in Choosing MaterialsCriteria in Choosing Materials

use of recycled materials,

sustainable & environment-friendly

Locally produced or abundant

affordable to local residents

easily installedwill last for the

intended period of use

A Housing Community A Housing Community in Pasay Cityin Pasay City 8

A student organization based within the UPCA called the University of the Philippines Circle of Landscape Architecture Students (UPCLAS) embarked on an extension project to incorporate landscape design elements in a socialized housing community in the Philippines. A community in Pasay City, which also receives support from various agencies such as the Saint Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC), Technical Assistance Organization or TAO-Pilipinas and Habitat for Humanity, became the recipient of the landscape design efforts of these LA students starting the 2nd semester of 2006-2007. Not as a class requirement to fulfill, but through the efforts and motivation of the LA students in that organization, they were able to implement their design skill and knowledge to improve a community.

A student organization based within the UPCA called the University of the Philippines Circle of Landscape Architecture Students (UPCLAS) embarked on an extension project to incorporate landscape design elements in a socialized housing community in the Philippines. A community in Pasay City, which also receives support from various agencies such as the Saint Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC), Technical Assistance Organization or TAO-Pilipinas and Habitat for Humanity, became the recipient of the landscape design efforts of these LA students starting the 2nd semester of 2006-2007. Not as a class requirement to fulfill, but through the efforts and motivation of the LA students in that organization, they were able to implement their design skill and knowledge to improve a community.

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Housing Housing Community in Community in

Pasay CityPasay City

Suggested MaterialsSuggested Materials

Plastic Bottlesrecycled

container for plants and substrate

Hanged steadily on walls

small plants or edible herbs may be planted here

abundant supply

Suggested MaterialsSuggested Materials

Rubber Potsrecycled

container for plants and substrate

Hanged steadily on walls, railings

small plants or edible herbs may be planted here

abundant supply

Suggested MaterialsSuggested Materials

Chicken Wire / Alambre

criss-crossed to allow vines like ampalaya or upo to climb on them

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Suggested MaterialsSuggested Materials

Bamboo Polesbamboo poles

are converted into long vegetated modules

planted with lettuce, mustard greens, kamote or other herbs

Suggested MaterialsSuggested Materials

Coco shellscontainer for plants

and substrateHanged steadily on

wire mesh or coconets

small plants or edible herbs may be planted here

abundant supply

Edible Plant PaletteEdible Plant Palette

Origanum vulgare (oregano)

Osimum basilicum (basil)

Andropogon citratus (lemon grass)

Pandanus amaryllifolius(pandan)

Brassica rapa(petsay)

Brassica integrifolia(mustasa)

References: Books• Undan, Rodolfo C. Urban Agriculture: A Step-By-Step Guide to Successful Container Farming in the City. Foresight Book Publishing & Distributing Co., Inc., Quezon City. 2002.

• Sundiang, Cynthia Morales. The Edible garden: Urban Agriculture in Metro Manila. University of the Philippines College of Architecture Master of Tropical Landscape Architecture Thesis, 1994.

• Santos, Julieta. Raising the Scale of Micro Urban Agriculture in a Socialized Housing Community. University of the Philippines College of Architecture Master of Tropical Landscape Architecture Thesis, 2010.