design & planning of edible landscapes (as public … · left is an image of edible parterr\...

$: DESIGN & PLANNING OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPES (AS PUBLIC … · Left is an image of edible parterr\ planted at the Kew Gardens in London, center is a historic edible parterre planting plan,$
DESIGN & PLANNING OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPES (AS PUBLIC OPEN SPACE)N. Claire Napawan, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture + Environmental Design

Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis, [email protected]

Image Sources: “Carrot City” by M. Gorgolewski, SWA Group, & C. Napawan

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FRITZ HAEG, EDIBLE LAWNAT THE COUNCIL HOUSING ESTATE IN SOUTHWARD, LONDON. 1-MILE STRETCH OF RUSSEL BLVD. IN DAVIS PLANTED WITH 100-YEAR OLD OLIVES, CURRENTLY UTILIZED IN THE DAVIS OLIVE CENTER’S OLIVE-BASED BATH PRODUCTS AND OILS (FOR-PROFIT EXAMPLE OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPING), SACRED HEART SCHOOL IN ATHERTON, CA DESIGNED BY SWA GROUP (SAUSALITO) UTILIZES EDIBLES IN CAMPUS DESIGN AND PROVIDES FOOD PRODUCTS FOR THE CAFETERIA LUNCHES.

EDIBLE LANDSCAPES DEFINED • The use of food plants as design features in a landscape. These plants are used both for aesthetic value

as well as consumption.• It is the integration of the function of food-growing within a landscape with alternative forms &

functions, including aesthetic, recreational, and other landscape functions; often requires balancing these approaches.

• It does not include food items produced for sale.

Image Sources: “Carrot City” by M. Gorgolewski, SWA Group, & C. Napawan

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It includes a range of private and public examples, from the large to the small scale. Pictured here, clockwise from top left: Edible Rooftop at the Gary Comer Youth Center in Chicago; Edible Schoolyard at the Sacred Heart School in Atherton, CA; Edible Private Residence in Baltimore, MD; Edible Art Installation in New York City; Edible Public Park in Descanso, CA.

THE BENEFITS OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

• SOCIAL: reconnects communities with a greater understanding of food; fosters diverse multi-cultural and inter-generational activities; food activities are linked to supporting communities

• ECONOMIC: frees household income from purchase of produce; improves property values and decreases neighborhood blight

• ENVIRONMENTAL: encourages sustainable resource management through composting; can help to manage stormwater retention and detention in urban areas

• HEALTH: horticulture therapy has been proven to reduce stress and decrease violence & behavioral issues; access to fresher fruits & vegetables increases consumption of these healthy foods

HISTORY OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPING• Precedents for the integration of food-growing with alternative landscape uses exist in examining

victory and community gardening in the US• Three most influential landscape styles from Europe have their roots in food-production: Italian

Renaissance gardens, French Baroque gardens, and English Picturesque landscapes.• Most significantly, the Ferme Ornee, or ornamental farm, represents a period of popular landscape

design that sought to balance food-producing with ornamental planting techniques.

Image Sources: www.nationaltrust.org/uk/

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Edible Landscaping is not a new concept, as evidenced by precedents from around the world and since the beginning of landscape & garden history. Precedents for the integration of food-growing with alternative landscape uses exist in examining victory and community gardening in the US. Three most influential landscape styles from Europe have their roots in food-production: Italian Renaissance gardens, French Baroque gardens, and English Picturesque landscapes. Both the landscape forms and the horticultural techniques employed draw from food-growing activities. Parterres were early means of organizing companion plants using a low, clipped-hedge; edibles were eventually replaced by ornamentals. Topiary, espalier, and pollarding techniques were pruning techniques to help in fruit-tree cultivation, but also evolved to be ornamental techniques. Left is an image of edible parterre planted at the Kew Gardens in London, center is a historic edible parterre planting plan, right is the orange topiary at the Palace of Versailles.� The Ferme Ornee, or ornamental farm, represented the period of garden design mid-way through the evolution of food-producing and ornamental landscape design, and thus is a precedent for the balance of food-producing and ornamental plants; one of the first examples of edible landscapes.

http://www.nationaltrust.org/uk/

DESIGN & PLANNING OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPES• SITE ASSESSMENT: analyzing physical attributes such as site location & adjacencies; growing region,

climate, & microclimate; and resource availability such as water, soil, and solar energy.• CLIENT/USER ASSESSMENT: understanding the needs/desires, the existing or intended patterns of use,

and the maintenance capabilities of the client/users.• PROGRAMMATIC ASSESSMENT: recognizing the functions attributed to the landscape other than food-

growing.

Image Source: “Site Analysis” by E. T. White

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Design & Planning of any landscape is a process of synthesis. Successful design & planning of Edible Landscapes requires a thorough analysis of the intended site, client/user(s) of the site, and program (or functional use) of the site, and synthesizing these considerations into a design solution.

Containers CarpetsHedges/Walls Canopies/Columns

PLANTS AS SPACE-MAKING FORMSImage sources: “Form & Fabric in Landscape Architecture,” by C. Dee; & C. Napawan

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Plants take forms that help to define space through creating ground planes (carpet), vertical planes (walls, columns, objects, and containers), and overhead/sky planes (canopies). These spatial elements help define a sense of place. Choreographing these forms can help to define many kinds and sizes of spaces, from small intimate gathering places to large, grand multi-use amphitheatres. Edibles are capable of taking these plant forms as well, and together with ornamental plants, hardscape and other architectural forms (trellis, site furnishings, etc.), a well-loved edible landscape can be designed to endure.

vs.

DESIGN FOR FORM AS WELL AS FUNCTIONBecause a Landscape Loved, is a Landscape that Endures…

Image source: C. Napawan

PRODUCTIVE PLACETHE DESIGN OF EDIBLE LANDSCAPES AS PUBLIC SPACE

Image source: C. Napawan:

EXISTING LITERATURE ON DESIGNING PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

EXISTING LITERATURE ON DESIGNING URBAN AGRICULTURE

Sources: Spatial Considerations for successful urban public space:

Marcus, C. (1976). “Mini Parks” in People Places

site selection with ease of pedestrian access and visibility;appropriate programming which includes community involvement; clear entrances and boundaries; and appropriate site materials use

Whyte, W. (1980). TheSocial Life of Small Urban Spaces

varied and abundant seating opportunities, the presence of water feature and/or food vending, a sense of enclosure, and proximity to active pedestrian corridors

Francis, M., Cashdon, L.,Paxson, L. (1984).Community Open Spaces

site selection and programming relevant to neighborhood context; clear signage and integration with community on site development; site design may employ design professionals, but community input and volunteer efforts play a role in design and construction, and design has adaptability; community responsible for site maintenance and management

Project for Public Space(2000). “What Makes aSuccessful Place?”

sites are accessible; many and diverse users on site engaged in arange of activities; site is comfortable and has good image; site is asociable place

Francis, M. (2003). UrbanOpen Spaces

site supports user needs & user diversity, program diversity,safety/security, and accessibility

LITERATURE REVIEW OF SPATIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL URBAN PUBLIC SPACE

Sources: Spatial considerations for successful urban agriculture projects:

Lawson, L. (2005). CityBountiful

design to engage a broader range of public participation, includingyouth and non-gardening/farming programs

Hou, J., Johnson, J.,Lawson, L. (2009).Greening Cities, GrowingCommunities

ability for incremental change, adjustments, and improvementsover time; sensitivity to existing context and user needs; multi-use,including non-gardening programs; diversity and artistic expression

Milburn, L. and Vail, B.(2010) “Sowing theSeeds of Success” fromLandscape Journal

site selection/proximity to users, physical characteristics thatsupport growing (solar gain, access to water & soil), compact site(as opposed to long, linear sites), high visibility from street andwithin garden, accessibility, inclusion of appropriate site elementsfor growing (including composting, storage, perimeter fencing, andbulletin/message board)

LITERATURE REVIEW ON SPATIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL URBAN AG PROJECTS

FIVE SAN FRANCISCO URBAN AGRICULTURE CASE STUDIES SITES

SPATIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL A PRODUCTIVE PLACE:

1. Context:

C1. Appropriate location: neighborhood context

C2. Accessibility to site: pedestrian or transit

2. Perimeter

P1. Physical connectivity: ease of site entry

P2. Visual connectivity: ease of site entry

2. Site Layout/Design

S1. Flexible layout: accommodates multiple programs

S2. Accessibility within the site

S3. Site maintenance


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18th and Rhode Island Permaculture Garden

Image source: C. NapawanFIVE SAN FRANCISCO URBAN AGRICULTURE CASE STUDIES SITES

18th & Rhode Island Permaculture Garden Alemany Farm

The Free Farm Garden for the Environment Hayes Valley Farm

PERIMETER TREATMENT AS GREATEST INDICATOR OF DESIGN SUCCESS!


If we redefine a successful edible landscape to include its integration with community (and not merely productive output) the visual and physical accessibility of a site becomes the most significant design consideration.

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