THE INTERCULTURAL GARDENS IN BERLIN – A MICROCOSM OF MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES?

Johanna Maier
Joensuun yliopisto
johanna.maier(at)joensuu.fi

The creation of participation and communality are important challenges of the cities of today. The so called “community gardens” in different parts of the world are examples how this kind of challenges can be faced. In Germany the gardens are called “intercultural gardens” (Interkulturelle Gärten). An intercultural garden is a place where every citizen has a possibility to cultivate his/her own patch and to participate in social activity in the garden together with other citizens. The gardens are meant to strengthen social integration, community building and participation among immigrants and Germans who are living in the cities. The purpose of the research is to evaluate if the intercultural gardens in Berlin create participation and communality among the citizens.

The research focuses on tree intercultural gardens in Berlin situated in the districts of Neukölln, Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf. Essential theoretical concepts are urban space, participation, inclusion, empowerment, communality and community building. Research is based on qualitative methods, humanistic geography as its methodological basis. Thematic interviews and participatory observation are used as ways of getting the answers for the research question.

On the grounds of the research, the intercultural gardens can be seen as sort of microcosms of multicultural communities where intercultural dialogue is being practiced in an everyday environment. The gardens also have an important role by diminishing the prejudices concerning different cultures and strengthening the communication among citizens. They are contributing to create social capital which has traditionally been practiced in small villages of countryside. They also increase citizens’ nature experiences in city environments.


ESITTELY OHJELMA ILMOITTAUTUMINEN JÄRJESTÖT ARKISTO		THE INTERCULTURAL GARDENS IN BERLIN – A MICROCOSM OF MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES? Takaisin edelliselle sivulle Johanna Maier Joensuun yliopisto johanna.maier(at)joensuu.fi The creation of participation and communality are important challenges of the cities of today. The so called “community gardens” in different parts of the world are examples how this kind of challenges can be faced. In Germany the gardens are called “intercultural gardens” (Interkulturelle Gärten). An intercultural garden is a place where every citizen has a possibility to cultivate his/her own patch and to participate in social activity in the garden together with other citizens. The gardens are meant to strengthen social integration, community building and participation among immigrants and Germans who are living in the cities. The purpose of the research is to evaluate if the intercultural gardens in Berlin create participation and communality among the citizens. The research focuses on tree intercultural gardens in Berlin situated in the districts of Neukölln, Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf. Essential theoretical concepts are urban space, participation, inclusion, empowerment, communality and community building. Research is based on qualitative methods, humanistic geography as its methodological basis. Thematic interviews and participatory observation are used as ways of getting the answers for the research question. On the grounds of the research, the intercultural gardens can be seen as sort of microcosms of multicultural communities where intercultural dialogue is being practiced in an everyday environment. The gardens also have an important role by diminishing the prejudices concerning different cultures and strengthening the communication among citizens. They are contributing to create social capital which has traditionally been practiced in small villages of countryside. They also increase citizens’ nature experiences in city environments.

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