ECBI - Edinburgh Community Backgreens Initiative - Providing Greenspace for the Community

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ECBI HomeCommunity Growing

Community Growing Initiative
We wish to propose a community growing initiative which would be suitable for the greenspace within sub-urban tenemental estates which were previously owned by the Council.  The initiative would provide training and support in the growing of fruit and vegetables by local residents in underused greenspace and encourage the use of seasonal produce to access/cook nutritious and tasty meals.  For more information of the key features of a Community Growing initiative (see here).


Background
Since 2006, ECBA have established thirteen community growing projects in the backgreens of Victorian era tenement communities in Leith, Gorgie Dalry and Marchmont.  In 2009, we started a Grow Your Own course and put a greater emphasis upon installing raised beds at our sites to facilitate growing.  In doing so we have built up resources and experience which we think would useful to others interested in developing or sponsoring community growing projects.

As many of the flats in these estates have been bought through right to buy, and the Council are now under increasing pressure to find savings, this may be the right time to look at opportunities to reshape the relationship that residents have to their local greenspace.


Suburban Tenemental Greenspace
The greenspace around the tenements of Edinburgh's suburban estates represent a huge opportunity for the development of community growing projects.  The images in the gallery below show just how much greenspace is laid down to grass around these estates. 

Whilst some lawn is needed for recreation and drying clothes, there is a great deal of land which could be put to better use as growing space.  These extensive areas of lawn also represent a large maintenance burden for the council, tenants and owner occupiers.  Whilst cutting the grass may be good physical activity, this same effort could provide fresh, cheap and nutritious vegetables and encourage greater interaction and co-operation between neighbours.

Tenemental ownership tends to get in the way of the development of growing spaces, as changes require the permission of multiple owners/tenants.  ECBA's experience has been that an outside third party can broker agreement to bring such projects forward.


Project Benefits
Over the past couple of years there has been increased interest and recognition of the capacity for community growing projects to increase the health & wellbeing of individuals and communities, (see here).  The project would have an impact on social capital within the community and increase their sense of wellbeing through the development of:

• new relationships,
• a sense of belonging to a group,
• getting to know other local people across generations decreasing sense of isolation,
• physical activity/ exercise in green space,
• healthier diet,
• increased self confidence,
• increased skills and knowledge,
• for those who are unemployed increased skills and confidence could lead to a greater chance of finding work.

Environmental benefits would include:

• reducing carbon emissions through local food,
• diversion of food and garden waste from landfill by home composting,
• raised awareness of environmental issues,
• areas of natural habitat developed to encourage wildlife,
• physical environment improved.

Partnerships
ECBA are interested in exploring potential partnerships with the public, private, and third sector to develop new projects in the ex-council housing estates around Edinburgh, (see here).