Output details

AMA-ka Garden in Bilbao (ES 2008) and Medellin (CO 2010): a project about urban sustainability and engagement

Pace’s project Ama-ka Garden was built at the 2nd edition of BilbaoJardines 2008 - Spain, an international competition and exhibition collecting original projects on landscape design that have a significant relationship with public spaces. The edition gathered 27 selected artefacts from all over the world and Pace’s garden (co-author Lovisetto) was one of the two projects representing Italy.

The concept focused on the making of a giveaway garden in order to engage the community. The flowers were hosted in recycled fruit boxes which, after the exhibition, were given to the population who could enjoy at home a piece of the ex-urban garden. The event was advertised and many people queued to receive their box.

The production of a public object that later became a private goods, was designed to change the attitude and awareness of people towards public space. This also aimed to raise a debate over the relationship between people’ sense of ownership and citizenship. This was further developed by the Live Project research within PRL at UEL. The garden’s design was adjusted in real time following local people’s preferences and advice. The project was broadcasted on the local tv and radio Euskadi. Pace was responsible for the concept, the testing and the building of the garden with Lovisetto, and the advertisement of the initiative to the population.

As a consequence of this exhibition and its success, Ama-ka was one of the few gardens selected from BilbaoJardines 2008 to be reproduced at the international event Medellin Feria de las Flores 2010 – Columbia, a fair with worldwide significance in showcasing landscape. The exhibition has been running since 1957 and is attended by thousands of people every year(1).

(1) Alcadia de Medellin estimated that in the past editions almost two million people participated in the Feria

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-thelen/feria-de-las-flores-the-p_b_3820222.html

http://feriadelasflores.medellin.travel/