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Evidence-Based Design is as it sounds – an approach which Asset-Based Community Development starts from the
prioritizes the use of evidence in shaping design decisions – premise that communities (local residents, associations and
and is most commonly used by architects and designers in the institutions within any given unit) have a wide range of assets
planning and construction of buildings/public spaces. More and strengths that need to be identified, harnessed, and
recently, this approach has been used in healthcare to improve connected ‘with one another in ways that multiply their power
patients’ wellbeing and healing and to reduce stress (Stigsdotter and effectiveness’ (Kretzmann and McKnight, 1993, p.4) This
et al., 2011). In the botanic garden context, a similar approach approach is contrasted with the so-called ‘deficiency model’
has been used in nature-based therapy for people with stress- which focuses on community needs and problems. Instead,
related illness in Sweden and Denmark for a number of years Asset-Based Community Development promotes the use of
(Corazon et al., 2010). Specifically, it was pioneered in the local assets as building blocks for community and leadership
development of the Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden in Sweden development on a sustainable basis. It also highlights the need
and further established in the design of the Nacadia Healing to invest in the community’s own ‘problem-solving capacities’,
Forest Garden (see page 30). A healing forest garden is described recognized as being at the core of the issue when community
as ‘a garden with a natural forest appearance, based on the cohesion breaks down (Kretzmann and McKnight, 1993).
presence of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants’ (Corazon et al.,
2010, p.37). Brooklyn BG has been drawing on this approach to develop
an ongoing and interlinked series of programmes (Greenest
The evidence-based design approach combines existing research Block in Brooklyn, Making Brooklyn Bloom, Community Garden
evidence, design principles and empirical research carried out Alliance, Brooklyn Urban Gardener, and Street Tree Stewardship;
in the healing forest garden itself, with a strong emphasis on see http://www.bbg.org/greenbridge) that promote the
the specific needs of the particular users. Research has shown greening of the urban environment. Staff at the garden train
that people suffering from stress-related illnesses benefit from local residents to develop an inventory of the resources that
spending time in wild and secluded natural environments already exist in their communities. This is a crucial part of the
where they can feel calm and, at the same time, safe. Such asset-focused part of the process community members go
environments are ideal for activities like walking, sitting through as they learn to recognise the power they have to build
quietly and spending time alone. These natural spaces and the community and leadership skills. An asset-focused approach
types of activity they offer allow people with severe stress to community building through the lens of environment has
to gradually regain mental strength and move on to more also been adopted by the American Community Gardening
demanding environments (that is, environments characterized Association (https://communitygarden.org/programs/
by greater opportunities for social interaction). Understanding publications/).
the dynamics of the spatial relationships developed between
different types of natural environments and the activities they
afford, and the stage of mental strength of the user has been
instrumental in the design of Nacadia. Nacadia consists of four
discrete areas which mirror different stages of mental strength,
moving from totally secluded spots where users can be alone
to more socially demanding spaces, which are flat and open
(Corazon et al., 2010).
6 CARING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY | A MANUAL FOR BOTANIC GARDENS
