Observe, Dream Then Design

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I prepared for a week. My first field trip to Penang was going to be critical. Results from this trip would help us decide whether or not we could pull together a viable plan for a community composting and food garden programme at the E&O development called Seri Tanjung Pinang. I’ll be the first to admit – Composting I was comfortable with, but I’ve never created a community garden before. I was a rookie.

But there’s some advantage being a rookie – you can be honest about it, not claim to have all the answers but still be excited and committed to making it happen. The best way to make up for inexperience – be committed to learning!

I could not find any local examples of a community food garden and composting initiative by a developer. It really was a first not only for me but for E&O who were open enough to support the idea and influence360 who were working on their community relations strategies.

To calm my nerves, a day before the trip I decided to zen out on Permaculture principles. A key Permaculture lesson rang out loud – Observe first then design. Observation before design and planning! So I used this site observation check list to help me do just that. If you want to start a community garden, use this and adapt it according to your space and scenario:

1. People: who could we get involved? their needs, hopes, interest, communities and culture, mindsets, demographics.
2. Space: facilities, options, size, how much space is suitable for edible gardens? accessibility, terrain, structures, what gardens were already established?
3. Elements: sun direction and patterns, wind patterns, water source, soil conditions.
4. Services: electricity, car park, road access, security, maintenance.
5. Land tenure: who owns the land?, what is allowed or restricted, zoning.
6. Activities: how do people use the space, who organizes activities, how is the space used, commerce, economy, industries, employment.

It is always tempting to jump straight into implementation. To get into go-go-go let’s take action mode. But a good dose of observation allows for better visualisation of space and purpose. And a better sense of space and purpose will facilitate design to suite site and situation.

The first couple of site visits were spent walking, taking notes and photographs, talking to many people and dreaming. Yup now that observations and facts were gathered I allowed some time to day dream. To paint a picture of possibilities. After these sessions the purpose for the Think Green community composting and food garden site was clear. It would be a shared space, a backdrop for fun and interesting activities with communities to learn about nature, healthy living and to be more resilient by composting and growing their own food!