How could the demand for ‘grow-your-own’ be met within dense urban areas where available land is scarce? In 2007 What-if: projects together with local residents of an inner city housing estate in Shoreditch have come up with a novel solution:
GROW YOUR OWN IN A BAG!This first Vacant Lot allotment on a housing estate in Hoxton, by What if: projects, was realised as a temporary intervention featuring bulk bags as growing containers and has since through considerable media attention inspired many similar low budget community food growing projects. Since June 2007, this formerly inaccessible piece of land continues to be used as an allotment by the local community. Residents carefully tend a spectacular array of vegetables, salads, fruit and flowers each year. In addition insects and birds have moved in and thrive in this new natural habitat. The space has become a place for meeting neighbours, BBQs’, sitting in the sun and all weathers, playing and gardening. Each year, as plots become free, the garden has welcomed new plot holders to the site. An annual fee of £12 has been introduced to cover the cost for keys and basic equipment. In 2014 all plots were reallocated and bags were refilled with the help of the “Good Gym“. The Chart Street VACANT LOT continues to be run by volunteers from the WHAT IF: projects team. |
| In June 2012 the Chart Street VACANT LOT featured in the Chelsea Fringe festival with the event “EAT OUT”. An exceptional and theatrical dining experience was offered to guests of the VACANT LOT allotment. Throughout the day visitors were invited to table service amongst the 72 grow bags, and a water tower. Our visiting cook Michaela Caunter prepared a menu of delicious dishes from the range of vegetables, fruit and herbs that are typically grown by residents at this inner city allotment. The day ended with a dinner banquet. |
Film by Elin Moe, 2007
An interview with Jim Downing at the Chart Street allotment. Sadly Jim passed away in 2012 and is much missed by the Vacant Lot growers.
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dates:
2007 – ongoing - commissioned by:
Shoreditch Trust - location:
Pitfield and Royal Oak Estate, Hackney - number of plots:
72
- plot:
1sqm
- capital growth site:
0798
- funding:
Arts Council England, Charles Square and Pitfield Tenant and Resident Association, Groundwork East London, Hackney Homes, Hackney Borough Council, LOVE LONDON Festival, London Festival of Architecture, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Wickes
- land ownership:
London Borough of Hackney/Hackney Homes
- involvement:
David Lloyd, Good Gym, Matteo Ferrechia, Olivier Droillard, Good Gym, Daniel Callego, Abraham O’Dude, Maxwell Hutchinson, Speaker of Hackney Cllr Faizullah Khan and the many other volunteers who helped with the project since 2007.
- special thanks:
Jim Downing from Touchard House who overlooked the garden, filled the water butts and made many cups of coffee and food for us! Jim sadly passed away in 2013.
- part of: