Designing in Systems: Using Engaged Design to Incorporate Permaculture Solutions

Community gardens offer positive impacts for individuals and neighborhoods, but are often difficult to maintain. Permaculture is a design framework based in ecological systems that can increase sustainability and reduce the need for maintenance of garden spaces. Community engaged design strives to involve people in shaping and managing their environment by incorporating participant ideas into design decisions.  This method can be especially useful in public spaces. Permaculture based, community engaged-design could increase community garden longevity both by designing a more efficient, easier to maintain garden space and by increasing gardeners’ personal commitment to care for a site. A permaculture based, community engaged design process was developed and piloted as a part of a re-design of an inner-city community garden.  Four different workshops were presented over a six month period. Workshops included 1) permaculture principles, elements, and systems; 2) an inventory of existing permaculture elements in the pilot garden; 3) design decision activities based in permaculture principles; 4) images and discussions of possible permaculture solutions.  The outcome was a final vision statement, priorities list and concept design for the re-design project. Hosting four different workshops led to clear communication and trust that resulted in participants’ sharing honest opinions about garden design decisions. Workshops successfully taught permaculture principles, elements, and systems. All participants expressed confidence that the re-designed space will better represent permaculture and model earth stewardship. Most participants also believed the re-designed space will do a better job of welcoming community members. Permaculture based community engaged-design activities were developed and documented.