I can't help but think of the En Vogue song, "Free Your Mind," when reading this article. But, instead of free, I think green. As in: Green your mind, and the rest will follow. Urban gardening is more than just a simple act to fill a vacant lot. It's shifting attitudes and habits and how we think of Detroit. Yes, it's true, tomatoes won't save Detroit, but it is a start.
Excerpt from the
Metro Times:
It's obvious that the city plans green spaces as a way of developing
much of the abundant vacant lots and abandoned buildings. Mayor Dave
Bing mentioned it several times in his State of the City address. Bing
never mentioned urban agriculture as part of that plan, although City
Council is considering it in rewriting zoning laws for Detroit. And
various plans offered by independent groups all see gardening and
agriculture as vital parts of a new Detroit. It's all good according to
ecopsychology, although there are different strata of goodness between
looking out your window at trees and getting your hands dirty in the
garden.
So if we're all on the same page here, why do we need the science to
prove the importance of greening? Because it will give a firm basis to
thinking about natural settings and gardens as part of a permanent
solution rather than a placeholder until something else comes along. We
don't need to again give away our greenery for industrial development.
Read the entire article
here.
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