Addressing the urban challenge
Breadth of the issue – How are the problem(s) that are being tackled by your initiative affecting citizens/local businesses or a significant component of the local wildlife?
The spatial concept of the therapeutic garden in Sesvete respects the principles of sustainability in several aspects. A pedestrian-bicycle connection of a relatively recent housing development 1 km to the south with the therapeutic garden is planned as a green corridor and it will become an essential component of the green infrastructure of that part of the city. For the purpose of sustainable water management, the concept envisages rain gardens in the future upgrading plans. The garden is watered using existing groundwater. Gardening activities are planned according to the principles of organic farming. Green areas of the therapeutic garden will contribute to the increase of urban biodiversity. The users plant the vegetables, take care of them, nurture them and in the end, harvest and consume them.
Depth of the issue – How seriously are the problems being tackled by your initiative impacting the life of the citizens/businesses/wildlife concerned?
The therapeutic garden in Sesvete was designed with the aim of strengthening the motor, sensory, cognitive and social functions of its users. Social contacts are encouraged in the common area with the plateau of the multifunctional pavilion, a rest area for group education and an entrance square with a pergola. Multisensory zone of the garden includes flower beds for multisensory stimuli, multisensory elements for play and multisensory sculptures, multiple elements are planned including the reflexology path, designed with bright yellow and grey and with a curved rail to help mobility of the users to help with motor and cognitive functions. Therapeutic garden has the major benefit of integrating vulnerable groups into society and providing them with activities that benefit their health and wellbeing. In the city gardens, the food is the product, but in the therapeutic gardens, the process is the product.
The power of plants and natural ecosystems to deliver benefits
How is the initiative shaped by scientific evidence of the potential for plants and natural ecosystems to deliver benefits?
This project is an example of low-tech, bottom-up transformation of brownfield area of the former meat processing industry into a green, sustainable, inclusive semi-public space that enhances spatial and social qualities of the neighbourhood, and of the city as well. The therapeutic garden is designed in such a way as to enable a pleasant and safe stay and relaxation of all groups of users. The design uses natural materials that provide a sense of security and peace, and circular forms that facilitate fluid movement through space. The space is entered through a pergola frame through which creepers will grow, and the entire garden is bounded by a metal fence and also green hedge to dim the sound. Garden work in the therapeutic garden is available to people of all ages, and activities are tailored depending on the capabilities and condition of the user. Activities are carried out all year round. In cooperation with experts in the field of gardening as well as with the expert guidance of therapists, thematic workshops and trainings are organized for people of socially vulnerable groups, their caretakers and general population. Also, through the cooperation of schools and kindergartens, outdoor classes, educational workshops for children of preschool and school age are being organized.
How has the city exploited the potential of plants and associated ecosystems to deliver more than one benefit?
The therapeutic garden has been conceived through the co-design process, which was conducted first through co-design workshops organized within proGIreg and after that through meeting the prospective users- the therapists from the Mali dom (little home) day-care centre for children with multiple disabilities, the centre for people with cerebral palsy, and centre for autism. These therapists gave a comprehensive list of needs and requirements of their proteges and proposals for the features of the garden. The garden was designed using this data, to make sure that the users have their needs met.
Innovative and Collaborative Solution
How does the initiative show evidence of feasibility, including on-going financial and logistical support?
Inclusion is in the heart of the therapeutic garden project, as its main function is to gather the people with disabilities and enable both relaxation and socialization with all social groups. This is the first garden of this kind in Croatia, occupying a surface of 5,145 m2, and located in the area of the former meat industry factory . The design of the garden was developed through co-design process, and it includes both a space for therapeutic gardening and education, and a sensory/restorative garden, making sure that the needs of all the potential users will be met successfully.
Further upgrading of the garden, and introduction of interactive tools and playground elements for children with disabilities is planned in the future.
In what ways is the initiative innovative?
The project is expected to bring a positive contribution to the quality of life of citizens of vulnerable groups and people with disabilities. The possibility of staying in the natural environment and participating in workshops and trainings is intended for all interested citizens, and in accordance with the theme, a positive impact is expected on the wider community. The project can be upgraded by involving garden therapists, specially trained experts in medical and psychosocial effects of garden work, who are part of the therapeutic-rehabilitation team.
How is the initiative supported by collaborative working across disciplines and sectors?
The main result of the therapeutic garden is in the wellbeing of its users, people of all ages that have disabilities. Their wellbeing is not numerically measurable, but their caretakers observe and note the physical and emotional state and the benefits they receive from the gardening work and spending time actively working or relaxing and socializing. The garden also provides a space for socialization of parents of children with disabilities, and also social inclusion that both the people with disabilities and the healthy population benefit from.
How does the initiative demonstrate evidence of community support?
The benefits are noted by professionals and caretakers and will be outlined in course of the Horizon 2020 project proGIreg -the garden is implemented as a part of project activities and monitoring of the benefits is also part of the project activities.
Implementation, Impact and Replicability
How does the initiative demonstrate evidence of a track record of success against pursued objectives?
The City of Zagreb has developed the managing model and the design through the codesign workshops and further discussions with users- institutions that take care of children and grown-up people with disabilities. The City is the main responsible party, while “Mali dom” (“Little Home”), day-care centre for children with multiple disabilities, organizes day to day use of the garden and its maintenance.
This model of sustainable land use and management can be transferred to urban, peri urban and rural brownfield and greenfield areas in Croatia and beyond. The local partners in implementation are happy to share their experience and lessons learned with the general public.
How has the initiative had a ripple effect beyond the scope of the initiative itself, thereby demonstrating a change in the city’s and/or its partners’ way of working with plants?
The idea to implement a therapeutic garden stemmed from the interest of the users of the urban gardens in Zagreb, who have repeatedly asked for part pf the gardens to be designed for people in wheelchairs and other vulnerable groups. The therapeutic garden has been conceived through the co-design process, which was conducted first through co-design workshops organized within proGIreg and after that through meeting the prospective users “Mali dom – Zagreb” Daily Centre for Rehabilitation of Children and Youth, the “CeDePe” – Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy Zagreb association and the “Novi Jelkovec” Centre – public social care institution. This way it was ensured that the therapy garden has all the necessary elements to cater to the needs of all its users.
The codesign workshops of the proGIreg project in Zagreb brought together local stakeholders and citizens from Sesvete, to work together collaboratively on co-creating Nature Based Solutions for post-industrial urban regeneration. Involving a broad range of citizens and local organisations in the design of the Living Lab proved to be essential to the project’s success.
Following the codesign workshops, the city has contacted multiple local institutions that work with and help various groups of people with disabilities both in the neighbourhood and city- wide. They have been included in the discussion and in the creation of the programmatic task for the garden.
How have other cities expressed interest in the initiative, or what potential does it have to interest other cities and be customised to their own circumstances?
The therapeutic garden is designed in such a way as to enable a pleasant and safe stay and relaxation of all groups of users. The design uses natural materials that provide a sense of security and peace, and circular forms that facilitate fluid movement through space. The space is entered through a pergola frame through which creepers will grow, and the entire garden is bounded by a metal fence and also green hedge to dim the sound. The upgrades of the garden design will be influenced by the input of the caretakers.
Sustainability and Resilience
What efforts have been made to reduce the carbon footprint of the initiative?
The therapeutic garden is a semi-public space providing the opportunities for the vulnerable groups of children and grown-ups to engage in healing activities or just relax or socialize in the open. The main innovation in the project is of social nature. The garden is a venue for crossing social boundaries and for a gentle deconstruction of prejudice especially present in school children.
Therapeutic gardening is present in Croatia but in a very limited scope, usually adjacent to care institutions and catering to only one group of users. The Sesvete therapeutic garden aims to provide for the needs of children and grown-ups, both with disabilities and healthy, with various and multiple difficulties.
This new type of garden is an example of sustainable land use in action, transforming an underused and inaccessible brownfield area using subtle and inexpensive interventions into a green and inclusive space.
How have the anticipated impacts of climate change been considered?
Therapeutic garden is a thoroughly flexible concept. It can be planned in an area of any size- from a small backyard or part of a public green area to a large, comprehensive public garden. It can provide a gardening, sensory stimulating, relaxing or socializing area, depending on the investor’s wishes and needs. It can also be planned as part of a schoolyard.
There is also a possibility of introducing a part dedicated to people in wheelchairs in every city garden, enabling therapeutic gardening in all the neighbourhoods.
What processes does the initiative include for it to be considerate in its use of soils and other natural resources?
This project is an example of low-tech, bottom-up transformation of brownfield area of the former meat processing industry into a green, sustainable, inclusive semi-public space that enhances spatial and social qualities of the neighbourhood, and of the city as well. The design of the garden is uncomplicated, readable and down-to-earth, using natural materials and simple forms. The garden was designed as a sequence of experiences-zones placed along the curved path that connects them in circular trail. The design had the wellbeing of the users in mind as the main objective, with the emphasis on the relaxation and positive mindset. Common areas are designed to encourage socializing and relaxation of children and grown up people with disabilities as well as their therapists, parents and caretakers with each other and with the people without disabilities. The stage is placed in the centre and used for manifestations, theatrical plays and other events.
Monitoring, Maintenance, and Management
How has the initiative been designed and implemented so that long-term needs for management and maintenance are reduced and can be met?
The therapeutic garden is a semi-public space providing the opportunities for the vulnerable groups of children and grown-ups to engage in healing activities or just relax or socialize in the open. The main innovation in the project is of social nature. The garden is a venue for crossing social boundaries and for a gentle deconstruction of prejudice especially present in school children.
Therapeutic gardening is present in Croatia but in a very limited scope, usually adjacent to care institutions and catering to only one group of users. The therapeutic garden aims to provide for the needs of children and grown-ups, both with disabilities and healthy, with various and multiple difficulties.
This new type of garden is an example of sustainable land use in action, transforming an underused and inaccessible brownfield area using subtle and inexpensive interventions into a green and inclusive space.
What protocols are in place to facilitate monitoring of results?
Inclusion of vulnerable groups is a major topic in the world today. Sensibilisation to this matter is of utmost importance and the therapeutic garden, its activities and the publicity it creates is contributing strongly to this matter.
The project and its management model can be replicated in different scales and types of places- it can be a small corner of a school garden, a part of a new urban park or another public open space, adjacent to an institution, or a therapeutic garden as a self-standing project. The model is applicable to any climate, culture, type of urban space and within every urban or rural surroundings.
By bringing together people with disabilities with other, more advantaged groups of people, the inclusion of these vulnerable groups is highly advanced, and socializing of healthy children with those with disabilities can substantially benefit both groups- the children with disabilities face acceptance and necessary social contact, while the non-disabled get the opportunity to learn about different people, to experience empathy and to destroy prejudice, which is the greatest learning achievement.
How has the initiative been enhanced in response to monitoring of results?
The spatial concept of the therapeutic garden in Sesvete respects the principles of sustainability in several aspects. A pedestrian-bicycle connection of a relatively recent housing development 1 km to the south with the therapeutic garden is planned as a green corridor and it will become an essential component of the green infrastructure of that part of the city. For the purpose of sustainable water management, the concept envisages rain gardens in the future upgrading plans. The garden is watered using existing groundwater. Gardening activities are planned according to the principles of organic farming. Green areas of the therapeutic garden will contribute to the increase of urban biodiversity. The users plant the vegetables, take care of them, nurture them and in the end, harvest and consume them.
