Since 2010, the Contemporary Architecture Centre in Hungary has been working on the implementation of community gardens within urban environments, predominantly within the city of Budapest. This movement, Közösségi Kertek, has become mostly self-organised due to an established network of support, making it easier for communities to create new gardens. For the first couple of years the aim was to realize the concept and raise awareness of the initiative through the implementation of a few select gardens. After that, communities could continue to create there own gardens with the help of the existing infrastructure. Lecsós Kert was the first garden to open in 2011 as part of the Millenaris Park development. Individual plots were divided up and allocated to residents in early 2012. Since then, Közösségi Kertek has grown to more than 70 gardens with gardening opportunities for over 800 Budapest residents. The ‘Closed’ Garden Network Before we travelled, I confess to knowing very little about the city of Budapest, or even the country of Hungary, so I was looking forward to exploring a city I knew nothing about. At first, what I discovered was a blend of east and western European culture with a sprinkling of Asian cuisine for good measure. Popular restaurant dishes involving pork, lamb, the ever-present paprika, peppers and cabbage draw influence from Austrian dishes, whilst spices and Turkish sweets suggest influence from further afield. The eastern side of the river, ‘Pest’, has some architectural similarities with central Paris and Barcelona, as tall ornate renaissance style buildings adorn the main thoroughfares. The western side of the river, ‘Buda’, dates back much further and there is evidence of Gothic, Ottoman, Baroque and even Roman architecture, pretty much a bit of everything. The fifteen public thermal baths dotted around the city are a clear tourist attraction, but also one of the few parts of Budapest where I felt that tourists and locals really crossed paths. Most housing, as would be expected in a city center, is apartments and flats - serviced via central private courtyards. This allows for little community interaction, something that Közösségi Kertek has tried to tackle by providing a network of community gardens. As I walked the city I could not shake the feeling that normal everyday life was hidden inside buildings that could not be explored. Unfortunately, this was also present in my journey to discover the community gardens of Budapest. After searching the Közösségi Kertek website I highlighted seven community gardens within walking distance of central Pest that I could visit in one day. I pinned them on a borrowed hostel map, and with the help of vague directions on their website, set off. Camera and map in hand. What I discovered was bitter sweet. Apart from two gardens that I could not find, the good news was that all five others were still well maintained and had obvious signs of recent gardening activity. All of these had planters and beds with flowers and vegetables growing in them and relatively new tools and toys were dotted around each garden as if everyone had just left. But therein lies the problem. Every single one was locked shut and empty. The first site I visited was Kisdiófa Kert, only a few hundred metres from the hostel, however I would never have found it unless I knew what I was looking for. I was able to snap a photo through a gap in the imposing gates, but there was certainly no chance of getting in. Not a good start. The second site was much more promising, although by far the smallest garden I visted. Karaván Közösségi Kert is located at the back of an outdoor food stall market called Karaván. Next door to the infamous Szimpla Kert ruin bar, it attracts a large number of tourists and late night revelers. At first glance it would appear to be an authentic selection of Budapest street food vendors, but realistically it’s not somewhere that local residents would spend much time. The menus are only displayed in English, a bit of a give away that it’s not really that local. Unfortunately the same could be said for its ‘community garden’. Located at the back next to the toilets, and with its gate firmly shut, it felt more like a gesture towards the community garden ethos rather than providing any real opportunities for growing vegetables. After being unable to locate the third community garden on my list, I arrived at Tolnai Közösségi Kert, outside of the central Pest ring road and into a predominantly residential area. This community garden was also enclosed by locked gates, but was visible from the road. It was clear that it was well maintained and there were a number of raised planters with a variety of different veg growing in them. What was interesting about this site was the obvious spread of greenery into the surrounding flats. Many of the windows and balconies that overlooked the garden and street opposite had hanging baskets and window planters. I wonder which came first, the window baskets, or the community garden? I was unable to locate the fifth site on my list, but successfully located the final two; Leonardo Kert and Grundk3rt. These were the two largest gardens I visited and both looked like they occupied the space of demolished buildings. Unfortunately, and by this point – unsurprisingly, both were empty and locked. So there I found myself, three miles away from the hostel with a long walk back, and despite finding five community gardens within this short stretch I felt distinctly unimpressed. There was a clear lack of engagement with anyone who didn’t have a key to the gate. But maybe I’ve missed the point? Maybe these community gardens aren’t for tourists and enthusiastic architecture students to go poking their noses around in. Despite all this, it is promising to see establish communal space that is clearly being used by the residents. The bringing together of people, whether that be through the setting up and initial planting, or the continued maintenance and harvesting of produce, is a process that will inevitably help boost community interaction. Providing community gardens will also give residents outdoor space that they may not otherwise have if they live in an apartment. Whilst many blocks have central courtyards, these are often poorly lit and unsuitable for growing anything or have been turned into parking areas. In this instance, a community garden offers a place of escape where residents can enjoy the fresh air.
But, for me, the inaccessibility made the sites that I visited feel more like communal gardens instead of community gardens – an extension of their private space. I never expected to explore every corner of the city or step into every garden, but I was surprised at the few opportunities made available to engage with the Közösségi Kertek community gardens in Budapest.
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