Larger community gardens under threat from development

Brussels has more than 320 community vegetable gardens, according to Mathieu Simonson of the Tuiniersforum des Jardiniers. Simonson, a former researcher at the University of Namur, recently created an interactive map to pinpoint the number of gardens and where they are located.

Although the number of gardens are increasing, Simonson says they are regularly under threat, especially to development projects. More than 40 such gardens have disappeared in the last seven years, he told RTBF, and more than 20 are currently in danger.

“When the land being used is put under pressure, community gardeners realise that their voice as citizens does not weight heavily against a public administration that wants to support a real estate project,” he said. “The general assumption in the Brussels region is that vegetable gardens must be temporary.”

The organisation Le début des haricots, which helps turn unused sites into gardens, is currently keeping track of 128 neighbourhood vegetable and herb plots. It has a slightly more optimistic view of them, noting that the numbers increase every year.

Urban trend

“Urban gardens have become very trendy,” Aline Dehasse of Le début told Bruzz, “but it’s also more than that. There is more emphasis being put on sustainable food. And there is an important social aspect: A collective garden is a place where you always meet other people.”

The latter is in fact a key reason why people get involved in community gardens. According to a survey carried out by Brussels’ environment agency, 100% of respondents said that the social aspect was crucial to getting involved.

While the number of community gardens is growing, the total amount of land devoted to them is not, admits Dehasse. This is because large community gardens have given way to development.

The Boondael Ernotte garden in Ixelles, for instance, has been under threat with a development project since 2011. There is a movement underway to save the garden.

Anyone in Brussels interested in joining a community garden or turning an unused lot into one is encouraged to contact the Le début des haricots or Bruxelles Environnement.

Photo courtesy Bruxelles Environnement