Week Two Article Reflections: Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good

For Week Two, our reflection article assignment was to visit the Chicago Cultural Center and visit the Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good (website) exhibit. We had to then research one of the many urban projects that were presented at the exhibit and reflect upon that. I chose to research Pennsylvania Horticulture Society's: Pop Up Garden (links-galore)!

I'm obsessed with panoramic photos!

Here's my reflection:

The PHS Pop Up Garden is a temporary project that is done annually. It is currently in its 3rd year of being. The Pop Up Garden is very similar concept to UFarmIIT--or at least what I imagine it to be. The PHS takes vacant lots around the city and transforms them into urban farms. From there PHS collaborates with its numerous sponsors and sets up a small restaurant business with entertainment. Produce is also donated to various pantries. Around late fall to winter time, the garden is dismantled and the left over tools and resources are donated to gardeners around the neighborhood. The following year a new garden "pops" up in a different vacant lot. One of the main purposes for PHS' Pop Up Garden is to bring attention to the vacant lots around Philadelphia and update its urban landscape. The revitalization of their urban environment is one of the many benefits urban agriculture brings to a community as I read in last weeks articles. It also builds solidarity in the local community because the project is one that people from different walks of life can enjoy together. These are all things that I feel UFarmIIT should aspire to be like once a solid foundation has been laid out. I see a lot of potential in UFarmIIT to be like PHS' Pop Up Garden. There are many different communities around IIT that can be reached out to and become involved with the farm--the local high school, various senior homes, the Greek community that surrounds the farm, and even a few restaurants. Not to mention, IIT has a thriving and active student body which I'm sure would love to be involved as well.