Abstract
This case study is based on the Advocating Ecocultural Values of Urban Community Gardens in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District project. It is an experiential-learning project undertaken by an undergraduate, senior capstone class with research support from Dr. Bernstein, Dr. Stapleton, and the Community Partner–The Historic District Development Corporation, a non-profit organization specifically dedicated to equitable urban revitalization in Atlanta. Community gardens can provide both a food source for communities vulnerable to food injustices and spaces for social transformation. They differ from most large-scale farms in that they are focused on generating community, both social and more-than-human, and on applying permaculture approaches in local, small-scale, diverse, and urban contexts. The case study includes both ecocultural values and attributes of community gardens. Ecocultural values include sustainability, education, and cross-cultural engagement. Ecocultural attributes include both ecological systems and cultural assessment. Results of this project can be expanded to future projects with a “just sustainability” focus.
Presenters
Arla BernsteinAssociate Professor, Liberal Studies, Mercer University, Georgia, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Community Diversity and Governance
KEYWORDS
Ecocultural Values, Experiential Learning, Just Sustainability, Marginalized Communities
