Jog Shruti Makarand

UR3596

Urban Food Gardens. Decoding unique case of underutilized vacant land. 
Vacant land in cities, varying in size and location, results from economic downturns, land use changes, legal disputes, or abandonment. In India, these areas often suffer neglect, becoming sites of overgrowth, litter, and illegal dumping, contributing to environmental degradation and community concerns. Efforts to repurpose or redevelop them aim to revitalize neighbourhoods, promote economic development, and create green infrastructure. In Gandhinagar, gardening has emerged as a significant response to vacant land. Residents actively engage in clearing, occupying, and gardening on vacant lands nearby, using household resources to shape their landscapes. This practice of gardening on unused land extends to growing food. Numerous fruit trees and edibles species are found in the sectors of Gandhinagar. This research aims to map these gardens and their surroundings, providing insights into the spatial dynamics within the sector. By observing nearby activities, the study seeks to analyze the social factors influencing participation in food cultivation, such as patterns of land takeover, investment in plants, and the utilization of these spaces by residents. Additionally, it will explore how residents design and organize their gardens, contributing to the overall built environment. Mapping the types of plants cultivated and their impact on local plant diversity will be crucial aspects of the study. Through interviews with gardening citizens, the research will uncover both the opportunities and threats associated with gardening in Gandhinagar. The data obtained through mapping will help position gardening practices and their role within the urban context of Gandhinagar, informing policymakers and urban planners about the city’s evolving landscape. This will facilitate the development of sustainable, community-centric urban living policies and initiatives. DRP Report