The Associació Institut d’Estudis de l’Horta Valenciana has launched ‘Sowing Participation: Collective Knowledge About Urban Gardens’, a new project that listens to residents and explores their interests, needs and proposals concerning urban sustainability and urban gardens.
Focused mainly on Valencia’s Mestalla neighbourhood, the initiative combines public-participation methods with digital tools. Residents’ contributions will generate collective knowledge and inform the production of educational materials tailored to the topics and needs identified.
How can you take part?
The first step of the project is a short, anonymous online public surveyasking what residents think about urban gardens, growing on balconies and terraces, sustainable food, urban biodiversity and initiatives that could make neighbourhoods more sustainable.
It takes only a few minutes, and no knowledge of urban gardening or home growing is required. We want to hear different views and experiences, including from people who have never considered growing their own food.
From opinions to new resources
The survey is only the beginning. We will analyse the responses to identify residents’ principal interests, needs, barriers and proposals.
The results will guide the creation of free, open-access educational materials about urban gardens and sustainability, ensuring that their content reflects the interests identified through the participatory process.
Small gestures for more sustainable neighbourhoods
Growing plants on a balcony, choosing seasonal fruit and vegetables, reducing food waste and supporting urban biodiversity are examples of small actions that can become part of daily life.
We also want to hear your ideas.
What sustainability initiatives would you like to see in the neighbourhood? What makes home growing difficult? What would you like to learn more about?
Take part, share your views and help us sow new ideas for a more sustainable neighbourhood.
