Webinar agenda Parks to Farms: Urban Migration and Community Development in Tower Hamlets and Thorncliffe Park 1) Presentation by Sabina Ali , Chair, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee (Toronto, Canada ) 2) Presentation by Mhairi Weir , Manager, Spitalfields City Farm (London, United Kingdom) 3) Q&A moderated by Kim Turner, Cities of Migration, Global Diversity Exchange (Toronto, Canada) This webinar is a live event in the Arrival City edition of the City Builder Book Club, and co-hosted by Cities of Migration and the Centre for City Ecology. Webinar recording will be available on the website: www.citiesofmigration.ca
Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee Revitalizing Public Green Spaces Sabina Ali January 29, 2015
Thorncliffe Park,Toronto, Canada Thorncliffe Park is a remarkable neighbourhood, geographically distinct and culturally diverse in central east Toronto. It is the landing mat for immigrants from all over with a high concentration from South Asian countries It also includes a little percentage of Phillipinos, Latin Americans, Arabs, Africans, Chinese and Hungarians. In this 2.2square km community live over 30,000 people, 68% of whom are immigrants, 20% of whom are recent arrivals, and 37% are low- income families. Striking is that 91% of this community are renters, all apartment dwellers in high and low rise buildings, and 26% of the community are under the age of 14, significantly more than the Toronto average and has increased by 40% in the last decade, resulting in the first kindergarten only elementary school opening this September with over 600 children
Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee Vision To transform the public space into a place that builds and enriches the community and the neighbourhood To engage the newcomers in Canada with their new community, encourage them to take responsibility for their public spaces and strengthen their commitment to the neighbourhood.
Revitalizing Public Green Space: Community Programming Arts in the Park Community Garden Friday night bazaars Ravine walks in the valley
Local Markets, Local Business Incubation Tandoor Oven in the Park Tandoori Bites Night Eid Bazaars Seasonal Community Market in Thorncliffe & Flemingdon Flavours of Thorncliffe-Catering services
Success: Vendor Incubator Program Opportunities for the vendors outside Thorncliffe Park in different Farmers Market
Success: RV Burgess Park Developments New sod Installation of the playground equipment from Leaside park Swings Splash pad renovation Benches and picnic tables Garbage and Recycle bins Bike rack Lights and the power outlet Permanent Tandoor oven
Challenges and Successes Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee’s success is facilitated by strong partnerships: City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation Dept, Toronto Food Strategy, Jenner Jean-Marie Recreation Centre , Food Share, Evergreen Brickworks, Summerhill Group, Red Tree Artist Collective, Park People, Earth Box , CELOS, Toronto Green Community, TRCA ,Lost Rivers We exemplify the power of partnerships to create and maintain urban parks that build community and make our cities sustainable and vibrant
Learning Takeaways and Lessons Feel the sense of belonging to a place where you live Have a passion to give back to the community Create a sense of pride to the community Work with like minded people who has the common vision Start small and lay a strong foundation Build on the foundation Documentation of our park market model will be a resource to the other park users Our Park consultants will be available to provide advocacy around this park model
Thank you! Contact: Sabina Ali Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee sali@tpwomenscomm.org http://www.tpwomenscomm.org
Coriander Club Spitalfields City Farm Mhairi Weir, Manager, Spitalfields City Farm (Tower Hamlets, London, United Kingdom) Janaury 29, 2015
Tower Hamlets, London, UK • Spitalfields City Farm situated in Towe wer r Hamlets, lets, bor oroug ough h in Lond ndon, on, United ed Kingd gdom om • London is a city that has been built on migration and diversity • Tower Hamlets – Large ethnic community – history of different settlements – French, Jewish and now Bangladeshi but moving towards “Trendy -Young- Vintage” – highest levels of childhood obesity and child poverty – second highest unemployment rate in London along with long term illness and premature death, – Disparity of wealth in the borough, with one in two children growing up in living in poverty.
Spitalfields City Farm • The London Health commission have recently published their aspirations for “Better Health for London”. One of their aims is to “Get London fitter with better food, more exercise and healthier living” • Spitalfields City Farm is a community space that inspires and that everyone can enjoy. • The Farm shares a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience about growing food locally gained over 38 years of operation in East London. The Farm is a diverse space, providing a range of different micro- environments and opportunities to try out a variety of growing techniques.
Coriander Club Lutfun Hussain, Coriander Club leader and founder: “ Spitalfields City Farm provides an ideal space for creativity and a holistic approach to sustainability. As a London Leader I will work with the Coriander Club in creating a 'Spitalfields Green Quarter', taking the holistic aspirations of the City Farm out to the community. Working with more partners and sharing knowledge I will work to demonstrate and encourage inner city sustainable living."
Coriander Club: Gardening with a Community Focus • Range of activities and our strength is also in our strong community focus and encouraging service users initiatives – from Volunteer Feasts to running a Sunday Market • Coriander Club – by far biggest single success – safe place for Bengali ladies to come to – enjoy the space and being able to grow and share the produce • Not without its challenges as within the Bengali community there are racial issues regarding the caste system – Sylheti and Bengali people • Lutfun Hussain a great ambassador for encouraging interest and showcasing Bengali vegetables – hand pollinates the plants
Challenges and Opportunities • Lack of Green Spaces and density of population • Poor health- high youth unemployment- highest rate of premature deaths amongst the Bengali community • However, with all of this it is also a very vibrant exciting area to live and work in • There is a strong sense of community amongst the different groups and people will come together within the confines of the the Farm • The use of Space – we are all just custodians of spaces and the Farm space is one that is shared and enjoyed by many • Sharing – does this really happen?
Building Sense of Belonging • Everyone is welcomed, safe and has the ability to enjoy the space • Be careful of “Super Reps” – same “old” faces and those with the loudest voices not always the ones that are truly representative of a community • Staff team and Volunteers working together, different groups using the site from vulnerable adults to school groups to families coming for a day trip • Be accepting of the fact that NOTHING ever goes to plan
Lessons learned • Challenges – there are plenty • Rewards – there are even more • Be willing and able to adapt and be aware that people can be very suspicious of change • Be open and honest – do not promise the moon • Financial Sustainability, Empowerment, Social Cohesion and all other buzzwords-jargon – be careful when you use this • Finances and the constant battle to keep going • Policies,procedures, health and safety – all crucial
Ingredients for Success Deep Fried Friendliness Give it time to mix Willingness Soup Fresh local context Amend menu daily if it gets stale
Contact us Visit us soon! Mhairi Weir, Spitalfields City Farm Buxton Street London E1 5AR , Tel: 020 7247 8762 mhairi@spitalfieldscityfarm.org
Acknowledgments Parks to Farms: Urban Migration and Community Development in Tower Hamlets and Thorncliffe Park • Sabina Ali, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee (Toronto, Canada) • Mhairi Weir, Spitalfields City Farm (London, United Kingdom) • Kim Turner, Cities of Migration, Global Diversity Exchange (Toronto, Canada) • Annabel Vaughan, Centre for City Ecology (Toronto, Canada) www.citiesofmigration.ca
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