Therapeutic Garden in Zagreb
The City of Zagreb had plans to expand the existing network of urban 'City Gardens' with a new, holistic ‘therapeutic garden’ and a mini urban farm in Sesvete, the easternmost neighbourhood of Zagreb. The garden was developed within the Horizon 2020 project proGIreg (productive green infrastructure for post-industrial urban regeneration) in 2020
A therapeutic garden is a space that improves well-being by providing accessible and serene spaces for socialization and contemplation. The garden is designed with the help of local institutions catering for people with various disabilities, including the ‘Little Home’ day-care centre that hosts a variety of therapeutic and interactive activities for children with disability. The children are involved in learning activities by planting herbs, vegetables, and flowers. The visitors to the garden observe nature with all senses, with various activities such as games and art classes with nature taking centre stage. The Sesvete Garden motivates families that have members with disabilities to engage in activities, increase interaction between those with and without disabilities, and integrate marginalized people into the local community.
The spatial concept of the therapeutic garden in Sesvete respects the principles of sustainability in several aspects. The space is entered through a pergola frame through which creepers are growing, and the entire garden is bounded by a metal fence and also a green hedge to dim the sound. A pedestrian-bicycle connection of a relatively recent housing development 1 km to the south with the therapeutic garden is planned as a green corridor and it will become an essential component of the green infrastructure of that part of the city. For the purpose of sustainable water management, the concept envisages rain gardens in the future upgrading plans. The garden is watered using existing groundwater. Gardening activities are planned according to the principles of organic farming. Green areas of the therapeutic garden will contribute to the increase of urban biodiversity. The users plant the vegetables, take care of them, nurture them and in the end, harvest and consume them.
The City of Zagreb has developed the managing model and the design through the codesign workshops and further discussions with users- institutions that take care of children and grown-up people with disabilities. The City is the main responsible party, while “Mali dom” (“Little Home”), a daycare centre for children with multiple disabilities, organizes the day-to-day use of the garden and its maintenance.
This model of sustainable land use and management can be transferred to urban, peri-urban and rural brownfield and greenfield areas in Croatia and beyond. The local partners in implementation are happy to share their experience and lessons learned with the general public.