France: Shared collective gardens in Paris

Gardens in urban settings are no more to be only watched by temporary visitors. In Paris it is trendy at the moment to become a gardener of small public spaces. In the third arrondissement, part of the old Marais area, some inhabitants along with civic councellors involved in democratic participation learn in the « Jardin des oiseaux » – Birds garden -, how to make grown vegetables with the help of municipality. Shared collective gardens are burgeoning in the French capital under a new contract which link users and the public owner. The project aims to favour relationships between generations and conviviality, and to educate people about environment and the preservation of biodiversity. Gardens are let for free to associations of inhabitants for a maximum of five years. Up to them to develop plantations and to ask for technical assistance. The Green hand puts its expertise at their disposal if the Green binding card is strictly respected. Neighbourhood gardens have also to be open regularly to the public for enjoying the status of « Jardins partagés ». A broad spectrum of gardens is flourishing in other parts of Europe : news ways for reminding the old motto peace and love. www.paris.fr