1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Athens
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Private vegetable and fruit gardening in Marousi
Short description of the intervention
Restructuring a public derelict land into few private vegetable and fruit gardens. The gardeners practice organic gardening making it more sustainable. This provides foods as well as increasing the soil fertility, and reduction of the soil erosion. This also creates some extra vegetable and fruit market in the city. 20 % of the food produced is donated to the food bank. The project is a community project which also helps to bring people together. Started in April 2012 (Ref 1,4). The project is one of the initiatives by the Greek municipalities allotting land to local citizens with the purpose of increasing food security for the underprivileged, educating the younger generation, and providing their citizens with a retreat from city life (Ref 3).
Address

Adronikou and Kyrillou street
Marousi, Athens
15125 Athens
Greece

Location
Point location, which indicates where the NBS takes place
Total area
1500.00m²
NBS area
1500.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Waste dumping area
Website of the intervention
https://www.athenssocialatlas.gr/en/article/city-growers/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2012
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2012
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
The goal of the project was to create an urban green space in a derelict area of the city. Also to produce local foods at a cheaper price than the conventional market, to create new jobs and market in the area, to increase the soil fertility and reduce erosion, to introduce biodiversity, to practice organic gardening ie. to use less fertilizers and produce more organic and healthy food. Additionally, the project aimed to facilitate socializing, activation, be a creative outlet, offer social care and solidarity for the city residents (Ref 1,3,4).
Quantitative targets
To donate 20% of the food produced to the local food bank, to create up to 40 plots for farming. (Ref 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
Direct monitoring indicators here are numbers of plots, plantations per plot, vegetable, and fruit plant species, the number of jobs created, market size, increasing the green urban areas (Ref1).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving physical health
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
No information provided regarding the goals of the intervention.
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Restore valued species
Public engagement
Implementation activities
Before the intervention was implemented, the land was a waste disposal site. The local community and the Government took an initiative to make the full use of the land in an environmentally healthy way. The land was divided into 40 slots each of 25 sq. m. and distributed among the locals/farmers. The farmers then cultivated different vegetables and fruits on their own piece of land. They also created a composting site to help increase the soil fertility and a water tank for watering the plants (Ref 1,3). Only organic farming is allowed in the garden. Initially, there were 35 plots distributed among the locals and the aim was to make it 40 which they achieved after a year (Ref 1).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Transformation of previously derelict areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Community gardens and allotments
Allotments
Community gardens
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
A total of 40 plots with each plot of 25 sq. m.
Vegetation Type
Grass
Garden beds
Other
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Raw materials
Medicinal resources
Regulating services
Carbon storage/sequestration
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Marginalized groups
Elderly people
Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)
People with functional diversities
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The local community and the Government took an initiative to make the full use of the land in an environmentally healthy way. The Government provided the land and the local community built the small farms. The project was a joint initiative of them both (Ref 1,2,3,4).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Citizens or community group
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen science
Citizen monitoring and review
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Yes
Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"
Food Directive. 20% of the food being produced is donated to the food bank (Ref 1,4).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
Food Directive. 20% of the food being produced is donated to the food bank (Ref 1,4).
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Municipal organic gardening all across Greece. It is a vision of Athens to promote food security, educating the younger generation, and providing their citizens with a retreat from city life (Ref 1,3).
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Please specify other vegetation type
Vegetable and fruit patch
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
A partnership between the local municipality and the citizens. (Ref 1)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
In the current project, Local Municipality gave some subsidies to the local farmers/citizens for the project to be implemented successfully (Ref 1,4). The Municipality provide families with all of the necessary services needed to support a flourishing garden, such as special soil, expert gardening advice, as well as a direct water line and reservoir.
Co-finance for NBS
No
Co-financing governance arrangements
No
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
As the project has been implemented in an unused land the project isn't expected to incur costs. Instead, according to Greek media, families that take part in municipal garden programs can save up to 150 euros (or almost $200) a year by planting crops that are available year-round (Ref 1). A minimal money (Unknown amount) was spent by the community for plantations and establishing the water tank (Ref 1). Some extra supports have been provided by the municipality. (Ref 1,4)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Crowdfunding
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
The locals/farmers/citizens used their own funding to cultivate the vegetables and fruits on the land and the lands were provided by the local municipality in free of costs (Ref 1,3,4).
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Vacant space model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Technological
Product innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The innovation was made in a derelict area in the mid of the city. The area was completely given new features with introducing a green space in a waste disposal site. (Ref 1)
Please specify social innovation
Cooperative green space maintenance by citizens' initiative with help from the municipality. The specificity of the project is that the initiation involves both the local government and the communities. And, the project was implemented on an unused disposal land. So, the intervention is a result of a collaborative governance between the municipality and the citizens. (Ref 1,3)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
A similar kind of project has been done by the Exarchia's citizen in Athens. There the project was implemented and managed by the locals. The concept of the Maroussi farmers garden is taken from there by the local municipality. (Ref 3)
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Restoration of derelict areas
Description of environmental benefits
This municipal garden has been created by converting a waste dumping area into a green space. The project has increased the total green space in the city, which also helped in reducing soil degradation (Ref 1, 3).
Economic impacts
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Generation of income from NBS
Description of economic benefits
The main goal of the project was to produce organic food and help the vulnerable population. The municipality provided land, water and a reservoir. This has helped the locals to grow their own food at a minimum cost. A small portion of that production is also donated to the food bank (Ref 1, 2, 3).
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved liveability
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Health and wellbeing
Improved mental health
Description of social and cultural benefits
Municipal organic farming started to spread all across Greece as a concept after 2010, at a time when the crisis deepened and civil protest and social solidarity movements acquired special dynamics. Municipal authorities promoted organic gardening in order to support vulnerable groups (the unemployed, pensioners, low-earners, single parents and families with many children, etc.), strengthen social solidarity and tackle mental health issues (Ref 1). This also allows the locals to interact more with each other and with nature. In addition to this, the project has provided with affordable healthy food to all (Ref 1, 3).
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
The amount of food production, reduction of local air pollution, jobs and market creation, the amount of soil erosion reduction, increasing soil fertility, and the number of trees planted (Ref 1,2,3,4).
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Environmental quality
Air quality improvement
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving mental health
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of July 2020.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Other
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Interview
Focus Group
Submission of monitoring data (citizen observation)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
The entire project is mainly based on citizen participation. Citizens are involved in evaluating the outcomes of the project. They evaluate if the project is meeting their expectations or not in terms of food production, and the price of the foods. (Ref 1,4).
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Yes
Please specify
Based on the satisfaction of the citizens involved modifications in the method of the farming system are taking place on the project continuously (Ref 3,4).
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
City growers: The Municipal urban vegetable garden of Maroussi
List of references
1. Anthopoulou Theodosia and Nikolaidou Sofia (2015) City growers: The Municipal urban vegetable garden of Maroussi. Available at: https://www.athenssocialatlas.gr/en/article/city-growers/. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
2. Touliatos Dennis (2015) Urban Agriculture. The Lancaster University Blog. Available at: http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/news-and-events/blog/dionysios-dennis-touliatos/urban-agriculture-a-tale-of-two-cities/. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
3. The garden movement grows in Greece (2013) The Greek Reporter News Article. Available at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/05/16/the-garden-movement-grows-in-greece/. Accessed on 14th July, 2020.
4. Anthopoulou Theodosia (2016) Edited by Simon Bell, Runrid Fox-Kämper, Nazila Keshavarz, Mary Benson, Silvio Caputo, Susan Noori, Annette Voigt. Chapter 4. Urban Allotment Gardens in Europe.
Interview comments
I contacted George Patoulis, The Mayor and expecting some information within next week.
Comments and notes
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/urbangarden_01.jpg
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/urbangarden_02.jpg
Public Images
Private vegetable and fruit gardening in Marousi
Private vegetable and fruit gardening in Marousi
Source: https://www.athenssocialatlas.gr/en/article/city-growers/
Private vegetable and fruit gardening in Marousi
Private vegetable and fruit gardening in Marousi
Source: https://www.athenssocialatlas.gr/en/article/city-growers/