Revitalizing Urban Life: The Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden

Why revitalizing urban life?

To answer this question, we must examine what happened during the rapid urbanization or urban economic development period in China. During the last 30 years, a great number of fenced and guarded modern residential compounds have mushroomed in urban cities, creating many private and abstract spaces. Large-scale space transformation has interrupted traditional community structure and the richness of everyday life, radically changed the cultural and social landscape in Shanghai. “For those residents who moved into the new houses, what they have gained is comfortable living space, a residence with amenities and privacy, but what they have lost is social interaction with the community in everyday life.” (YU Hai, 2016).

There is undoubtedly an urgent need to revitalize communities and urban lives. Fortunately in Shanghai, a remarkable initiative — the Knowledge and Innovation Community Garden, has demonstrated how urban lives can be revitalized through community engagement. The garden is a public space transformed from a piece of wasteland surrounded by multiple fenced residential compounds. Since the initiative began a few years ago, it has been “so vibrant that it becomes a gravitational space of the neighborhood” (ZOU and YU, 2018). Furthermore, “it works like a community itself accommodating people’s social needs for those living at the neighboring residential compounds.”

Entrance to the K&I Community Garden

A Refuge in the City & A Living Laboratory for Urban Residence

Visitors can stroll among native plants, fruit trees, and aromatic herbs. The calming and relaxing atmosphere of the garden offers refuge in the city.

Green Sanctuary

The Knowledge & Innovation Community Garden operates as a living laboratory where sustainable practices thrive. Visitors can learn about vertical gardening, rainwater harvesting, compost making and other eco-friendly solutions perfect for urban living. The hands-on experience in the garden empowers individuals, fostering a sense of responsibility for their environment.

Gardening Space

Community Engagement and Educational Opportunities

The Knowledge & Innovation Community Garden serves as a social space where locals come together to play, to learn and share, cultivating plants, relationships and social bonding. Through workshops and volunteer programs, residents and their families can better connect with nature, with wildlife and with neighbors.

The Garden demonstrates that urban spaces can thrive with active community participation. It also serves as a model for cities looking for ways to revitalize urban lives. A greener, more connected future is possible when residents work together.

Community Activities Center

Children's Play Ground

Seed Transfer Center

Embrace the Community Garden Movement

With continued urban development, a little sanctuary where neighbors can interact and socialize can make a big difference.

If you are in Shanghai, reflect, connect, and immerse yourself in the refreshing environment of the Knowledge & Innovation Community Garden. If you can join a workshop, engage in hands-on activities, it will deepen your understanding of social values and sustainability. Try also to interact with volunteers. They are passionate and knowledgeable. They can share personal stories and insights about the garden and its projects. With everyone’s involvement, community gardens can reshape the social and cultural landscape in urban cities.

References:

YU Hai. 2016. Community Revival as the Foundation for Urban Regeneration, People’s Daily,February 17.

ZOU Huahua and YU Hai, 2018, Urban Regeneration: Global Urban Studies, No 11.