Garden Project Research Articles

Hero's journey as a framework to study a project manager

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore which insights the hero’s journey framework provides to the micro-level perspective of the process a project manager goes through in a project.Design/methodology/approachThe study design involves a longitudinal qualitative case study in which we follow a project manager over the course of two projects. In Canada, the project manager undertook the world’s first hotel rooftop honeybee garden project. Later, he implemented a rooftop honeybee garden at the Waldorf Astoria New York. The stages and archetypes within the hero’s journey framework are used as an analytical grid for analysis.FindingsOur research reveals how the hero’s journey framework can be utilized as a lens to understand the process of a project from the viewpoint of the project manager. The research shows that projects can have comprehensive stages and transform the project managers themselves.Research limitations/implicationsThe research investigates small-scale projects that are peripheral to the core business of the case organizations. A limitation is that the findings may not be applicable for bigger, more complex and core business projects. Another limitation is that the research relies on secondary data only. Two managerial implications: For a project manager to start out on a hero’s journey, triggers that make the project manager respond to “a calling” need to be present. The project manager must be able to deal with different archetypes, whether helpful or harmful, along the process.Originality/valueThe research extends existing knowledge on a project manager’s decisions, obstacles, opportunities, thoughts, emotions and actions through the project process by showing how the hero’s journey framework can be used as a supplement to the well-known metaphor of a project as a temporary organization. Further on, the research demonstrates how an analytical framework can enhance the understanding of the process of a project manager from a micro-level perspective. In addition, the research deals with corporate social responsibility (CSR) related projects that are of high relevance in the contemporary society.

Testing the feasibility of coral nurseries in an upwelling area in the North Pacific of Costa Rica

The decline of coral reefs has increased interest in ecological restoration. Due to the scarcity of coral gardening projects in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, improving our understanding of such techniques is key. We report the results of coral gardening using the branching Pocillopora spp. and massive coral species (Pavona gigantea, Pavona clavus and Porites lobata) in an upwelling area in Costa Rica. We examined whether nursery type influenced Pocillopora spp. survival and growth, and how environmental conditions shaped restoration. We monitored the survival and growth of Pocillopora spp. fragments (n = 334) and microfragments of massive species (P. gigantea [n = 148], P. clavus [n = 37], P. lobata [n = 66]) over 11 months. Survival at the end of the gardening period was 51% for Pocillopora spp., 59% for P. clavus, 55% for P. gigantea, and 17% for P. lobata, with a decline after a cease in maintenance caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. Pocillopora spp. fragments in the floating nurseries exhibited higher growth (7.52 ± 1.98 and 6.64 ± 2.91 cm yr-1) than in the A-frame (4.16 ± 2.35 cm yr-1), which suggests the benefits of suspending fragments. For massive microfragments coral growth was 1.92-4.66 cm2 yr-1 and were affected by pigmentation loss, causing partial tissue loss and mortality. Our results point towards acclimation to local conditions, and show the need to develop site-specific cost-efficient gardening techniques for massive species, allowing for a multi-species approach to ensure long-term ecosystem recovery.

Low-Cost Automated Vegetable Garden: Integrating Educational Robotics in High School

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the integration of Educational Robotics (ER) into high school curricula through the development of the Automated Vegetable Garden project, aiming to enhance student learning and support sustainable agricultural practices among small local producers. Theoretical Framework: This study is based on the theories of STEAM education, problem-based learning (PBL) and the principles of Design Thinking. These frameworks provide a foundation for inserting Educational Robotics into real-world interdisciplinary problems and enhancing individual and collaborative learning. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a Design Thinking approach divided into phases of exploration, ideation and prototyping. Participants include high school students and small, local producers. Materials used include the ESP8266 microcontroller and low-cost sensors, and to the use of Google Sheets for data collection. Data was collected through field testing. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the integration of Educational Robotics through the Automated Garden project, with two educational interventions being proposed: project-based, with the creation of the prototype, and another based on Storytelling. Research Implications: Practical implications of this research include the development of improved educational practices in ER, promoting students' skills in digital technologies and problem-solving. The project also promotes sustainable agricultural practices by providing smallholder farmers with actionable data. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating an approach to integrating Educational Robotics into high school curricula through practical real-world applications. The relevance and value of this research is evidenced by its potential to improve educational outcomes and support sustainable agriculture in local communities.

A Participatory Evaluation of an Urban Garden Project in Ecuador: Exploring Factors That Impact the Recovery of People With Severe Mental Health Problems.

For the past years, Ecuador has been transitioning away from a hospital-based model of mental healthcare to one that is community-centred. However, challenges associated with hospital-based models endure, notably financial burden faced by those with severe mental health problems (SMHPs) due to labour market discrimination. Employment access for this group is often disregarded in policy planning, despite evidence of its benefits on mental health. Huertomanías, an urban garden initiative in Ecuador founded in 2015, works with individuals with SMHPs, providing work, income, and social inclusion. A case study using a participatory approach was carried out to explore factors that impact the recovery of people with SMHPs. Twelve participants engaged in diverse stages of the research, where several participatory activities were conducted including cognitive mapping, a photovoice project, and interviews. The analysis employed a thematic approach leading to four categories of impact within the urban garden: autonomy (financial and personal), interpersonal relations and relation with the environment, mental health, and family dynamics. A final category of impact was established encompassing external factors (family support and public policy and healthcare services) that influence recovery. Findings suggest that the urban garden promotes autonomy and active participation within society, improves mental health, and transforms family dynamics. Further, this study highlights the importance of community-based mental healthcare (CBMHC), emphasising the need of public policies and healthcare in promoting autonomy through employment and community-centred services. Lastly, the study contributes insights into recovery experiences and CBMHC benefits, informing programme development and similar initiatives in Latin America.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1–3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2–4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

School gardens as sites for community, empowerment, and justice: a participatory action research study

ABSTRACT School garden advocates often describe and justify school gardens for the ways that these spaces can improve content knowledge, physical health, and ecological stewardship of K-12 students. Rather than begin with these outcomes in mind, this study explores the meaning of a school garden through Participatory Action Research (PAR) within a low-income neighborhood in a small mid-western U.S. city. Participants included community partners and school staff who led the garden project. Using photovoice, mapping, and interviews, participants shared their perspectives and reflections on the garden. The findings revealed three overarching themes of community, empowerment, and justice, voiced by participants when describing the meaning and hopes they had for the garden. Such themes demonstrated the ways school garden practitioners experienced the depth of possibility in a garden project, far beyond the typical measures and outcomes used to assess school gardens. This research suggests that school garden projects hold meaning and transformative possibilities for schools that are critically important though may often be overlooked. When it comes to sustaining and justifying school garden programs, it is important that districts consider the latent experiences and values that these spaces may bring to students, staff, and communities.

Infrastructural citizenship and geosolidarity

AbstractIn northeast Houston, a community organization is experimenting with building green infrastructure, beginning with rain gardens. In doing so, the project's participants are engaging in what might be called “infrastructural citizenship.” This form of citizenship uses “civil power” to defy white‐supremacist legacies of technopolitical flood control, which have made northeast Houston one of the most heavily flooded parts of the city. Yet infrastructural citizenship also expresses commitments beyond stormwater management, taking aim at inherited infrastructural logics and traditions associated with other norms of US petroculture (e.g., spatialized and racialized environmental toxicity, translocal supply chains). In contrast to the default petrosolidarity that ensnares the Global North (and much of the Global South), initiatives like the rain garden project evince a growing geosolidarity with the land and its capacities. Such a politics can challenge both a racist petrostate and the conditions of ecological emergency that it perpetrates.

Étudier les relations sociales associées aux jardins communautaires dans le contexte de l’éducation des adultes

This paper describes and analyzes the social relations that emerged from an ongoing adult education internship/community-based garden project in Montreal. I employ institutional ethnography to explore and uncover how adult education internships in community gardens and gardening programming can work to produce disproportionate outcomes for adult learners, community workers, and community members. I trace my own and others’ experiential knowledge of attempting to use gardens for social, environmental, and educational reasons into texts and policies that shape garden and adult education possibilities in community-based contexts. In the process of creating, funding, enacting, and evaluating adult education internships in community organizations, I elucidate specific institutional contrivances (e.g., funding, policy, work processes, discourse) that are presently structuring and defining who experiences access to gardens, gardening and its ostensible health and well-being benefits, and adult education.

Applications of Spatial Timber Structures in China and Research on the Performance of Their Typical Connections

Timber, being a versatile and sustainable material, has been used for residential and public buildings throughout history. In recent years, advancements in engineering and construction technology have resulted in the development of innovative timber spatial structures that push the boundaries of traditional timber construction. Especially, numerous spatial timber structures have been constructed in China in recent years. This study aims to provide an overview of notable examples of spatial timber structures in China, including their architectural features, structure arrangement and construction method. Additionally, the configuration of some timber connections utilized in the Taiyuan Botanical Garden project are analyzed and the mechanical behavior of connections are investigated by a brief introduction of experimental tests. The research will provide a reference for engineering design of spatial timber structures in the future.

The Assessment of Residents’ Perception of Possible Benefits and Challenges of Home Vertical Gardens in Kigali, Rwanda

This paper aimed to provide a new insight into the application of home vertical gardens in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, through a pre-assessment of the inhabitants’ perceptions. There are several studies that indicated the awareness of the way residents think about the potential benefits and challenges of home gardens could make a considerable difference in designing and implementing these gardens. The Likert-scaled questionnaire (n = 558) was employed to evaluate how residents perceive vertical gardens, and what issues concern them most. The findings revealed that dwellers are almost familiar with the vertical garden concept and its possible effects on urban environments. The respondents mostly regarded vertical gardens as nice spots to socialize, relax, and interact with nature, and an opportunity for beautification, and recreation by growing ornamental and edible plants. However, they were rather apprehensive about some issues, more importantly, the extra expenses, the complicated operation and maintenance, and the type of structure installed on walls. In conclusion, small-scale and low-cost vertical gardens with lightweight structures and easy-to-use technologies are more likely to encourage householders to embrace home gardens. It is recommended that the vertical garden projects should be integrated into the urban green network strategy, leading to facilitating the processes of decision-making and financing.

Research on Greening in the Construction of Municipal Garden Project

This paper aims to discuss the greening research in the construction of municipal landscape engineering, in-depth analysis of the importance and role of greening in municipal landscape engineering. This article first introduces the basic concept of municipal garden engineering and its significance in modern city construction, and then focuses on the specific application and effect of greening in the construction of municipal garden engineering. Through case analysis, data comparison and other methods, this paper elaborated the greening to improve the urban environment, improve the quality of life of residents, promote ecological balance and other aspects of the positive role. Finally, the paper summarizes the existing problems and challenges of greening in the construction of municipal garden engineering, and puts forward the corresponding improvement suggestions, which provides useful reference for the future municipal garden greening work.

Tasting the Soil and Mobilizing the Future: Pedagogies of Hope in Timor-Leste’s Permaculture Youth Camps

This article localizes the traveling concept of permaculture in Timor-Leste as a pathway into studying the juventude permakultura (permaculture youth) movement, its pedagogies of hope, sensory learning, and emotional mobilization. Focusing on permaculture-based community gardening and water conservation projects in Timor-Leste in relation to projects implemented by the nation’s significant government-NGO nexus opens up anthropological inquiries into various social, political, and ecological phenomena. It contrasts divergent imaginaries of shaping young persons’ selves and futures and taps into issues of food security, environmental awareness, and alternative knowledge construction. Although ongoing research localizes the traveling concept of “permaculture” in Timor-Leste through tracing, exploring, and juxtaposing methodologies, this article focuses on the practice-oriented sensorial pedagogy of permaculture youth camps. It inquires how the eco-social youth movement contests the marginalization of vulnerable communities by acknowledging local knowledge and connecting it with translocal permaculture techniques. More precisely, the article focuses on the sensory and affective dimensions of learning in vulnerable communities and disaster-prone landscapes. It zeroes in on tasting the soil and mobilizing the future as pedagogies of hope and considers these powerful ways of securing (future) livelihood.

Plant selection for rain gardens in temperate climates: The case of Izmir, Turkey

Rain gardens have gained importance in recent years as a green infrastructure strategy. These gardens, created to capture, filter, and absorb runoff from impervious surfaces, offer a sustainable method for addressing water-related challenges in urban areas. Incorporating rain gardens into urban areas not only addresses the challenges of heavy rainfall and flooding but also brings about ecological advantages by encouraging biodiversity, improving water quality, increasing resilience, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of urban settings. Plant selection in rain gardens plays a crucial role in their effectiveness and sustainability. The research focused on exploring the importance of carefully choosing plants for rain gardens, aiming to help in selecting the most suitable flora and creating visually appealing, resilient, and ecologically important landscapes. For this purpose, Izmir Katip Celebi University was selected as a study area. The first step was to locate an appropriate space for a rain garden and evaluate its potential for a rain garden implementation. Next, plants suitable for a rain garden in a temperate climate were listed. Among these plants, those that can be found in Izmir were selected after contacting nurseries. Only fourteen of them were available. Utilizing the plants listed that align with the project requirements and the plant design criteria such as diverse color, high density, and proportion outlined in the literature review, a proposal for a rain garden design was recommended. Since the rain garden consists of three different zones (dry, wet, and moderate), the plants were arranged accordingly. This design was tailored to suit existing conditions, such as a temperate climate and proximity to the building. Factors like varying climate conditions or alternative rain garden placements were not accounted for in this design. Given the necessity for diverse plant selections in varying climates, research carried out across different regions holds significant value. This study, conducted in Izmir province, will enrich existing literature and provide municipalities with crucial guidance in plant selection in a rain garden project, offering valuable insights.

“We Can Come in Together and Garden”: A Mixed Methods Study of School Connectedness in a Middle School Garden Project

ABSTRACT School connectedness is important for students’ current and future outcomes but may decline in the middle school years. This mixed methods study investigated the impact of a school garden project on 6th-graders’ school connectedness. Surveys were completed by 46 middle school students at the beginning and end of a garden unit. In addition, individual interviews were conducted with 25 participants. Quantitative findings indicated that most participants had some gardening experience at home and enjoyed being part of the garden at school. However, pre-post results did not show increased connectedness following the garden unit, as connectedness ratings were moderately high both before and after the garden unit. Analysis of student interviews found that the garden project facilitated home-school, student-student, and student-teacher connections. Qualitative results also highlighted the garden as a context for engagement as students shared what they were learning and doing in the garden, the choices and autonomy they experienced there, and their anticipation of upcoming activities. Finally, interviews documented students’ enjoyment of the school garden through their expression of positive emotion and appreciation for the outdoor setting and activities, which students described as stress-relieving and a valued break from traditional schooling. Implications for educators are discussed.

Collective urban green revitalisation: Crime control an sustainable behaviours in lower-income neighbourhoods

The growing need to increase green spaces in highly urbanised cities has become more prominent recently. Special attention is paid to involving communities in the design process to enhance societal changes for a meaningful appreciation of the natural environment. Urban green collective initiatives in lower-income neighbourhoods have the potential to promote meaningful relatedness to the natural environment, agency, and stewardship. These initiatives contribute to new spatial collective norms that help decrease crime and violence. This study analyses a unique communal green space in Medellin, built and maintained by residents of the Villatina neighbourhood after a catastrophic landslide. After the disaster, residents exhibited self-organisation and collective efficacy to protect the space from being used by criminal actors. In 2010, the garden underwent renovations to be part of the ecosystem services network of the Circumvent Garden project. Although participatory strategies were implemented, the new social dynamics hindered collective actions in the space. This study contends that urban green collective initiatives in lower-income neighbourhoods introduce a unique form of communal action in urban green spaces, resulting in long-term societal changes. By integrating the collective placemaking strategies and key spatial elements in participatory design protocols, balanced social-environmental dynamics may be introduced to foster sustainable consciousness and minimise criminal behaviour.

Visual Preferences of College Students for an Ecological Design Project in a Campus Environment

In the last few decades, the integration of ecological design in urban landscapes has gained significant attention from researchers, practitioners, and administrators because of its potential to address environmental challenges and enhance the quality of life. While there are many benefits of integrating ecological design in urban landscapes such as environmental conservation and awareness, its aesthetics have remained a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect. This paper examines the visual preferences of college students for ecological design through a rain garden project at Izmir Katip Celebi University. Ecological design includes green infrastructure strategies like rain gardens that play a major role in creating sustainable urban areas. In this study, we conducted surveys among students at Izmir Katip Celebi University regarding a rain garden project that would be implemented on campus. We provided six rain garden design images, each representing various visual attributes in the survey. The survey also included questions about aesthetic appeal, ecological significance, preferred design choice, and demographic information. We collected the data from 120 respondents and analyzed responses using descriptive statistics. The study findings presented that Image 6, featuring colorful plant selections, received the highest aesthetic rating, while Image 4, with canopy trees, stood out as the most ecologically significant design.

The Role of Digital Technologies in Enhancing Environmental Geography Education: Case Studies From Community Garden Projects

The Role of Digital Technologies in Enhancing Environmental Geography Education: Case Studies From Community Garden Projects

PEOPLE’S REASONS NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY GARDENS IN DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

Although community gardening provides numerous environmental, economic, health, and social benefits, public involvement and support are still not at the desired level for their permanency in cities. While there are numerous studies regarding people’s motivations to participate in community gardening, empirical research is very limited for people’s reasons not to participate in community gardening. For increased involvement and public support, knowledge about people’s reasons not to participate in community gardening is important. Using a survey instrument, this research identified people’s primary reasons that negatively influence their participation in community gardening in five disadvantaged neighborhoods of Roanoke, Virginia. Descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis procedures were used at a 95% significance level. Results showed that the statements associated with “theft and damage”, “difficult access”, “too much effort”, and “no personal interest” were the main reasons not to participate in community gardening. Based on these, this research brings design and maintenance recommendations for the increase of more successful community garden projects. In the long term, this can contribute to the long-term survival of these landscapes in cities by providing higher public involvement and support for community garden projects.

P52: Gardening for others as meaningful activity for people living with dementia

Objective:Time in nature is increasingly recognised as beneficial for people living with dementia, with research often focusing on the benefits of physical activity, proximity to natural environments and social interactions. However, limited research has investigated the role of purpose while gardening for people living with dementia. Purposeful activities are often lacking in programs for people living with dementia, who are sometimes excluded and have their capabilities underestimated, especially those with younger-onset dementia. Yet, these purposeful activities may be key to supporting people living with dementia to retain a sense of self-worth and connection to their communities.This project documented participants’ experiences of purposeful activity in the form of volunteering at a farm producing food for community members in need.Methods:Individuals living with dementia participated in farming activities over several weeks to help grow food for people in need. During this time, participants completed ‘walking interviews’, discussing the tasks undertaken, their perspectives on these tasks, how these activities fitted in with their own ways of being, and how they felt spending time in nature. Walking interviews provide contextual and environmental cues that may facilitate emotional and sensory connection in a way that traditional interviews do not. Their shorter and more flexible time frame provides additional adaptability for people living with dementia.Results:Walking interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. These analyses describe participants’ experiences at the farm, related to purpose in life. These included participants’ connection to times in their lives when they provided support, assistance or service to others, and their experience of engaging with the natural environment.Conclusion:This research contributes to understanding of benefits of purpose-focused time in nature, including that it provides an opportunity for people living with dementia to connect with different points in their lives when they have held other forms of purpose. Tips on setting up such a safe, enjoyable, inclusive gardening project are provided. Additional research into meaningful engagement in natural settings is warranted for people living with dementia, especially when it involves activities with benefit to communities.This project was supported by the Australian Association of Gerontology’s Hal Kendig Research Development Program.

Education for sustainable development: Societal benefits of a community garden project in Tucson, Arizona

Education for sustainable development is gaining traction in sustainability discourses and policies to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of climate change mitigation and adaptation. In the United States, university-led initiatives are being promoted to provide experiential learning platforms to empower students for climate action. One such example is community gardens. This paper examined the societal benefits derived by a group of university students from engaging in community-based learning through the University of Arizona Community Garden (UACG). Based on interviews, participant observation, and students-based activities, the findings revealed that the community garden provided psychosocial benefits such as social interaction, and connection with nature. The findings highlight the co-benefits of integrating community garden projects into community-based learning pedagogies to realize psychosocial and environmental benefits. Scaling up such interventions through collaboration with community organizations can advance the role of higher education in the achievement of the SDGs.