The Union Street Urban Orchard

The project was orchestrated by Heather Ring of the Wayward Plant Registry and The Architecture Foundation, and opened in July 2010 as part of the London Festival of Architecture. It aims to document the process by which it was conceived, constructed and used and to present the Urban Orchard as a case study to inspire others to think creatively about how empty spaces in the city can be used.

TED: Britta Riley: A garden in my apartment

King's Cross Central Skip Garden

(http://www.kingscrosscentral.com/skip_garden)

King’s Cross is located in central London where more than thousands people travel by. At the same time, many constructions have continuing at amazing race. Is it possible to find a urban garden in this busy area? Yes!! In spring, 2009, the Skip Garden had created by by volunteers from from the Guardian and the Observer. Many youth from local community and construction apprentices got involved in this project as well. Skip Garden was designed with concept of portability in order to be harvested in other places as different areas in King’s Cross has been developed in different periods. For instance, volunteers was taught to make movable greenhouse bicycles by themselves. Therefore, they  could replace some vegetable gardens temporarily, even deliver food to restaurants directly.

In this case, I found something meaningful. First of all , young people had opportunities to participate in community affairs in close response to  global environmental issues.  Besides, children acquired knowledge of their  daily intake  from experiencing, not just from reading. In terms of design, the image of  construction in King’s Cross could be found in some raised beds. Finally,  to certain extent, this movement also made people aware of natural power from local food growing  in high-density built environment. I hope to know more news about Skip Gradens. You also can find  Skip Garden in Youtube .

(This article, written by Shanyu, was posted in Design & Environment, Goldsmiths website. )

An Art Park Sprouts Where New Buildings Were to Grow: LentSpace

Occupying an irregularly shaped city block at the northwest corner of Canal and Sullivan Streets, it will be both a park and a showcase for established and newer artists, open from 7 a.m. till dusk daily, except in January, February and part of March. More.

Green City Rooftops

Brooklyn Grange is a commercial organic farm located on New York City rooftops. They grow vegetables in the city and sell them to local people and businesses. Their goal is to improve access to very good food, to connect city people more closely to farms and food production, and to make urban farming a viable enterprise and livelihood.