The research of Ellen van Holstein – PhD candidate at the University of Wollongong, Australia – focuses on community gardens. Following an Urban Political Ecology approach she asks how community gardens can be understood as a coming together of social relations and practices and who gets to decide on how these shared garden spaces work. Community gardens are imagined as spaces that provide greenery and access to food, that empower citizens, that mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization, and that are therefore increasingly made part of policies to 'green the city'. Drawing on case studies in Sydney, Australia, Van Holstein argues that community gardens are not always spaces that are empowering and inclusive to all. Now that community gardens are presented as quick fixes to challenges of urban sustainability and social equity, it becomes increasingly important to understand power relations in gardens and who gets left out.

During this meeting Ellen van Holstein presents her research followed by a Q&A and discussion moderated by Jelle Reumer, director of The Natural History Museum and author of the book 'Wildlife in Rotterdam'.

time: 5 – 6 p.m.
location: Natural History Museum
language: English
For more information please visit www.hetnatuurhistorisch.nl