Placemaking and Urban Farming by Jennifer Poroye
Over the past few decades, the city of Newark, NJ has accrued a considerable amount of vacant lots and unused property space due in large part to the impacts of the crack epidemic and The Newark Rebellion. Unfortunately, for most of that time, these areas have unofficially served as garbage disposals and dumping areas for a variety of debris. Up until about a year and half ago, Lot 50 on Grafton Avenue was considered one of those spaces.
Today, Lot 50, now dubbed “Jannah on Grafton”, serves as a productive community garden and social event hub. The concept of this garden was developed by the consulting firm, Al-Munir LLC, and is committed to providing affordable and healthy produce for approximately twenty local families. In addition to providing healthy food, Jannah on Grafton also doubles as a place for community open mic nights, youth-oriented employment programs, and educational forums related to sustainability and wellness. When looking at the impact this place has on the community, it’s hard to believe this didn’t exist three years ago. Jannah on Grafton has inspired and transformed the community in an uplifting way.
This success story is a prime example of how placemaking can transform communities such as Newark. The term placemaking encompasses the process of collectively redesigning public spaces in ways that serve, reflect, and uplift the needs of community members. Placemaking allows the community to design their environment in a way that reflects their culture(s), values and interests. Through placemaking, community members aren’t just mere residents passively occupying a common geographic area. Rather, they become creative shareholders in their environment, and architects of unique public spaces. Placemaking increases overall communal well being through various cultural events, programs, landmarks, and initiatives.
In the city of Newark, urban farming is increasingly becoming recognized as a successful placemaking initiative, due to its overall positive effect on surrounding community members. In a city struggling with food insecurity, environmental degradation, and various chronic health issues related to diet and nutrition, urban farming is just what Newark needs.
Urban farming, the practice of growing, cultivating, and distributing food in urban areas, has been steadily gaining popularity in a variety of cities over the past few years. Through the City of Newark’s Adopt a Lot program urban farming affords community members in Newark and other cities alike to take control of their health in different ways. Urban farms provide easier access to healthy food that is both affordable and culturally relevant for communities. Additionally, they help to mitigate urban-related environmental issues, such as city heat, storm water run-off, and habitat fragmentation, while improving the surrounding air, water, and soil quality.
In terms of placemaking, urban farms in Newark serve as spaces for popular community events. Overtime, community gardens in Newark (such as Rabbit Hole Farms, Jannah On Grafton, and Eden’s Farm) have hosted Youth educational programs, Yoga and Meditation classes, Food and Health drives, Pot Lucks, Open Mic Nights, and many more events that have helped people feel more connected to their community.
At Al-Munir LLC, our creative placemaking strategies are in high demand. We are dedicated to forwarding placemaking initiatives in Newark by working with the community. As we expand, we are looking forward to transforming Newark through consciously designed public spaces.
