3. 1.1 Description
What do they do? (Description of service idea, e.g. a
community garden, a food coop, etc). What are the
demands/problems this initiative responds to? What is
the aim of the initiative? What happens and how does
it happens? What benefits does it bring to the
neighborhood?
11BC garden is a small, neighborhood space that
specializes in events and provides a communal area for
residents looking for personal and group serenity. The
demands which this garden responds to are the needs for a
natural, green, space in an urban environment. They also
provide a platform in which communal neighbors can enjoy
each others company and work on creating an
aesthetically pleasing space for all who use the garden.
1.2 Context
What is this neighborhood like? How was it before this
new solution took place?
The surrounding neighborhood is a racially diverse area
that houses a majority of Caucasian, African American,
Hispanic, and Bengali residents. While there are many
seasoned, traditional, residents, there is also a large group
of students living in the area which makes it a transitioning
neighborhood. Prior to the establishment of the 11BC
garden, the space was a barren plot of land which was
disassociated from local community members. Its potential
was recognized by a neighborhood resident living at a
near-by project house in the mid 80’s.
4. 1.3 History of the initiative
How did the project/initiative start? Who took the initiative?
Why?
Can you describe a timeline of events, highlighting success and
failure aspects, major milestones? How far can you go back?
How did this initiative mature? How did it turn to be a real
enterprise? (registered, formalized etc.) Did it receive public or
private support of any kind? Did it help change the public or
policy structure?
The initiative was started in 1984 by community member living in a
nearby city project. It was active and run by this community member
until 1998 when she passed. The community garden was inactive
until 2002 when Green thumb, non profit organization, adapted the
garden. 11BC garden is currently run by Christopher, a community
garden manager. Because of the gardens temporarily inactiveness,
there was a gap in its history thus some information is missing.
1.4 Main actors
Who are the users of this initiative? Who are the promoters of this
initiative? Is there a difference between users and promoters or are
they basically the same? Describe users and promoters lifestyles?
Do the users work as a group or groups? Is there a network of related
organizations and/or individuals? Do they have any form of
connection or exchange with other similar initiatives? Was the group
inspired by other examples? Do you know counter examples, (of
service ideas that did not take-off), cases that went wrong?
The users of 11BC garden are very approximate residents and former
residents of the community who have maintained membership. The
majority of the members work in the arts field. They vary from
musicians, to photographers, to designers. Although there is an
official manager of the garden, members’ opinion and thoughts are
actively considered. 11BC is connected to a neighboring garden,
Campos, which is run by the same organizer and shares a few
members. There is cross promotion of events between these two
gardens. 11BC is unique garden concept which acts as a community
venue and focuses on events based on the shaded conditions they
have.
5. 1.5. Technologies
What are the technologies that the group uses? How are they
used in system?
11BC uses an active live compost method for
fertilizing their soil as well as sharing with other
community members. They have a stage and
various seating areas for their events and they use
gardening methods which promote soil
regeneration.
1.6. Communication
What communication materials do the group have? (e.g.
website, brochures, postcards, etc). What is the main
purpose of these materials? e.g. to keep participants
updated about activities (internal communication) or to
get more participants (external communication)? Does
the group want to have more participants?
The 11BC garden communicates via their communal
memo board, their website, handmade event posters,
and e-mail.
6. 1.7. Perspective for the future
What are the perspective/objectives of the group for the next 3-5
years? What are some of the success factors and possible risks
in the short medium and long term?
Essentially, the long term plan includes continuing the upkeep of
the garden. They have reached a point of stability and have
ambitions of expanding their member pool. The more members
the garden can recruit means that more community wide events
and creation can take place.
1.8. Problems and opportunities
Are there any specific issues/problems/barriers that pose threats
to the initiative? Are there any main areas of concern among the
participants (leaders and users alike)? Are there any
opportunities that could be explored (that are currently not
explored)?
One specific concern that was outlined was the lack of water line
access on the garden grounds. Opportunities which could be
explored could be adopting technologies which promote light
reflection into the now garden.
7. 1.9. Indications of other social innovation
Do the users participate in other entrepreneurial endeavors? Do
they form small initiatives on their own? Are members involved
in other “sustainable” services within the community? (Ex. Food
Co-op, carpooling, community gardens, etc)? Do you see
evidence of wider networks that these users contribute to?
A few members of 11BC participate in other
gardens as well. Their dedication to the garden also
spans from planting in the garden to creating
sculptures and artworks to put in the garden. A few
members donated their time and skills to pave the
walkway of the garden. Neighboring businesses
interact with the garden by donating food and other
materials for the events held there.
1.10. References
Website of the initiative
Interviewee name and contact information (email, address, phone number)
Other references (websites, articles, other people we should talk to)
www.11bcgarden.com
Christopher - cbat7@hotmail.com
Alexia Weidler - alexiaweidler@hotmail.com
8. Quantitative Data Exercise
How many members does the initiative have? How many are
very active in the initiative? How does individual spaces
compare with shared/group spaces? How many members are
involved in other community-based services? (Food Co-op,
activist orgs, clothes swapping, bike sharing, etc.) What is the
size of the initiative in square footage?
The 11BC garden has 10 core members who posses keys to
the gate. In addition to the key holders, the garden is public
to anyone who passes by. There is an extremely organic
setup to the garden. There are no group spaces and
individual garden plots are first come first serve. The
garden lot is 96x22, a classic city lot size.
10. Photo Instructions
Please take close-up detailed photos due to the
winter conditions of gardens (ex. Buds, small
greenery, tools, gathering spaces, colorful areas)
Photos may ONLY be taken with a high megapixel
digital camera (no iphone photos or low
resolution photos)
Choose highest picture quality setting that
camera allows
Always ASK permission before taking photos or
footage of people and/or spaces
See Release Form on the final page of this
document. You MUST have Release Form(s)
signed by the photo/footage subject.
11. Photo checklist
1.Context
1.1 The general context (e.g. landscape, urban area, etc)
1.2 The close context (e.g. the neighbourhood, etc)
1.3 The place from outside (e.g. building, house, etc)
1.4 The entrance (e.g. signage, access door or gate, etc)
1.5 The place from inside (e.g. dedicated room, private places,
gazebo, pond, planting areas, recreational areas, etc)
2. Participant
2.1 Two to three typical users (show them in different situations,
e.g. portrait/standing, in-action, etc)
2.2 The organiser/provider (portrait/standing, in-action, etc)
2.3 Show something characteristic of the user’s motivation to
participate?
2.4 Show the key participants in the service/organization (e.g.
leaders, gatekeepers, organizers, connectors, innovators, etc)
3. Material Artifacts
3.1 Show communication materials of the organization (leaflets,
signage, etc)
3.2 Could you show essential objects that users interact with, or
that provide key moments in the service?
3.3 Could you show evidence of entrepreneurial work by users
or providers? Show intangible/tangible innovations created by
users or providers.
4. Benefits
4.1 Could you show participant benefits? organiser benefits?
collective benefits? environmental benefits? economical
benefits?
5. Perspectives for the future
5.1 Could you show the future perspectives of the solution?
12. Film guidelines
Please take footage of the following:
The person/people you are interviewing. Ask them to introduce
themselves, their role in the organization, and a brief description
of the organization (30 sec)
A brief history of the organization (15-30 sec)
A typical activity taking place in the space including participants of
the organization (30 sec-1 min)
Participants of the organization interacting with each other (30
sec)
Participants of the organization interacting with the space/props/
objects (30 sec)
13. General Release
It is hereby agreed by and between the parties that this
document shall constitute a general release authorizing
Parsons The New School to use the photographs, statements
and video of the undersigned subject in perpetuity, without any
compensation.
It is also understood that the photographs, statements
and/or videos are to be, and may be, used by Parsons for
photographic displays, exhibits, on institution’s website, and the
like, or for inclusion in any brochures, advertisements,
newspapers, newsletters or any similar activities including
print, television or electronic media, at the discretion of
Parsons The New School.
It is further understood by and between both parties to
this agreement that the undersigned subject is not to be
compensated for the use of said materials by Parsons The New
School. The execution of this document constitutes a waiver of
any rights to compensation now or in the future.
It is further understood by and between both parties to
this agreement that this written document constitutes the sum
total of all discussions, negotiations and agreements had with
respect to this release, and that this document, when executed,
represents the entire agreement and understanding between
the parties; any agreement or understanding not contained in
this document is specifically and categorically denied.
Date:
Subject
Witness
Notes de l'éditeur
Observation Exercise:
Count how many people enter the garden
Divide them by age group, gender, ethnicity