The redevelopment of the Quinta do Passal achieved multiple goals. Not only did the appearance of the area significantly improve but it also contributed to the wellbeing of the surrounding inhabitants. Social interaction between citizens increased, as well as the safety of the area.
Organic vegetable gardens turned out to be a valuable tool to decrease economic and social problems and to promote more environmentally-friendly habits, consumption and physical activity.
Starting situation
The Quinta do Passal, composed of a forested area and agricultural land, is a private property of approximately 6 ha, belonging to the São Martinho do Campo parish church in the Valongo municipality. The site is located near the neighbourhood of Padre António Vieira – a social housing development.
The property has been abandoned, with signs of degradation visible due to the proliferation of invasive species and the accumulation of waste, which causes security problems. The need to redevelop the area was obvious to the city council.
The project represented the municipality's desire to create green spaces in an urban environment, to promote a healthier way of living and to ensure universal access to quality, sustainable food.
Promoting sustainable waste management practices such as composting was also a priority for the city council.
The Quinta do Passal was considered ideal for both goals because the property is located near a disadvantaged area of the municipality and has been left abandoned.
The local community had already complained about the state of abandonment of the Quinta do Passal property. The prospect of being close to a useful green space contrasted with the lack of use and conditions for that space, which was a source of concern for citizens.
The rejuvenation of the area and its surroundings was a long-awaited wish of the local community.
Implementation
After the establishment of a lending contract with the owner of the property, the city council applied for community funds to implement the reconversion project – to create an inclusive and accessible space, capable of disseminating good environmental practices and the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Quinta do Passal is currently managed as a public space by the Valongo City Council and the parish council of União das Freguesias de Campo Sobrado, under a partnership agreement. This was possible with the signing of a gratuitous lending contract with the owner of the property, the church parish of São Martinho do Campo.
The Quinta do Passal Park opened to the public on 30 June 2019. With more than 6 ha of green area, the leisure space for public enjoyment includes a pedagogical vegetable garden (horta pedagógica), a community orchard with several species of fruit trees, a playground for children aged between 3-12 years (also possible to be used by reduced mobility children) and restrooms.
The pedagogical vegetable garden (horta pedagógica) includes:
- A set of cultivable plots, in sections between 25 and 80 sqm, with the objective of serving as a space for social integration, especially for the residents of the Padre António Vieira social community. The plots have been designed to enable use by reduced mobility persons in wheelchairs.
- Several composters are placed across the vegetable garden to promote composting activities.
- A main building and an area for storage of tools and materials. This space includes restrooms and a porch used for social and educational use.
- A fenced perimeter of the vegetable garden to prevent vandalism.
The idea behind the project was to give answers to several problems identified in the municipality territory, such as the huge lack of green space in urban areas, the need to eat healthier food and the need to reduce waste production and fight wastage in general. The population was asking for greener areas and, above all, spaces where they could socialise and carry out agricultural activities.
Low-maintenance materials resistant to vandalism were used.
Involving citizens was essential. The city council invited the population living in the Padre António Vieira social housing development to take advantage of the space in a more participatory way, taking over the cultivation of the vegetable garden plots and the community orchard, using composting and organic farming practices.
Informational meetings regarding the practice of organic farming and composting were held on-site. Awareness sessions were also held, inviting the local community to participate in defining the collaboration model and rules for using the space.
The general population was also invited to enjoy the remaining green area that constitutes the Quinta do Passal Park which is now a leisure and social space in contact with nature.
Currently, Valongo has created approximately 300 vegetable garden plots with the objective to have 1000 plots spread across the territory.
Challenges
Changing people's mindset was perhaps the biggest challenge that the City Council faced in this process. Convincing the disadvantaged community that the city was giving them back a free and safe space that would only bring them benefits, and at no cost, was hard work.
After realising the objectives of the project and its benefits, the local community started to accept the basic premises required for the project to have good results.
Another challenge was related to logistics. It was not easy to find an adequate space without incurring excessive costs. The arrangement with the partners and owner of the land was the starting point.
The city allowed several families to test the model. The choice of a resident that everyone trusts to test the model, speak directly with the municipal services and periodically monitor the space gave credibility to the city hall’s intentions.
This demonstrated that the project needed the involvement of the community to succeed.
Additional clarification sessions were held with the help of specialists as well.
Results
The municipality has verified that the citizens are actively using the organic vegetable gardens and the orchard to acquire vegetables and fruits – free of cost and chemical substances.
The project has helped limit environmental issues, as occurrences are detected more quickly which allows a more efficient and controlled action by the municipality.
The daily activity of the farm makes the Padre António Vieira local community more active. This leads to better social, physical and psychological well-being of the community.
Citizens report an improvement in their self-esteem and interpersonal relationships due to participating in the project, as well as contributing positively to their mental health during Covid-19.
The use of the organic vegetable garden allows the inclusion of good environmental practices in the production model. This type of activity allows the exercise of concepts based on the circular economy and valuing bio-waste to use in composting.
Another advantage of this project was the restructuring of the vegetation of the Quinta do Passal, allowing the expansion of the number of ecological niches and, consequently, enhancing the biodiversity.
The feedback from the local community and the public in general is positive. Citizens are satisfied with the changes introduced in the space and surroundings.
Future plans include the construction of an outdoor swimming pool, as well as continuing to promote biodiversity in the Quinta do Passal. This includes planting of more indigenous trees, awareness actions with the construction of nest houses, insect houses and the installation of bio libraries (“biotecas”).
Learnings and recommendations
The project made it possible to change the citizen's perception of agricultural practice in urban areas. It shows that agriculture can be a tool capable of gathering and entertaining communities. It also shows that it is possible to implement projects that contribute to raising people's awareness and promoting effective behaviour change for a more sustainable collective future.
The positive impact that the conversion of Quinta do Passal has on the daily lives of the population motivated the implementation of similar projects throughout the municipality. Soon, the city council will inaugurate a new biological vegetable garden, “Horta Biológica da Palmilheira”, located in a previously undeveloped land in Ermesinde.
Although Valongo saw some setbacks, the benefits of the project are enormous.
The main pieces of advice would be:
- Understand the importance of planning and having a strategic vision.
- Believe in your ideas and have the courage to make them happen.
- Deeply involve the community, partners, local actors and policy decision makers.
- Promote partnerships with local actors/organisations.
- Promote the active participation of all citizens and local communities and involve them in all decisions.
- Challenge the local community and promote behavioural change.
- Bring other dimensions into the environment: art, culture, social, health, etc.