Creating New Communication Spaces at the University with Urban Gardening

At the end of April this year, the garden project by kompass and the AStA of the University of Bremen officially started with a launch event: 35 students sowed and planted herbs and vegetables, labeled the seeds with homemade signs, and prepared herb salt. In an interview with Dr. Jutta Paal, coordinator of the kompass project from the International Office of the University of Bremen, she shared the idea and the ongoing progress of the Urban Gardening project.

The kompass program is organized at the International Office by a group of student assistants – the international kompass team – and the international student communities. Together with dedicated students from the AStA and individual students, a core group began planning the project in November 2023, which was conceived as an open working group from the start. Consequently, other university groups were integrated as well: "Students for Future" and the "Campus Goes Biodiverse" project are on board. Apprentices from the university’s carpentry workshop supported the students in building the pallet beds. The "Senior Citizens" – a group of senior students at the university – have also expressed interest in participating.

Given the increasing urban density and the sealing of usable land, it is essential to preserve open spaces without concrete, creating and maintaining areas for nature, interaction, and creativity. An open group of over 20 students from various disciplines and nationalities now meets bi-weekly on Tuesday afternoons to garden, build insect hotels, create flower strips, plant berry bushes, and receive informational inputs about the plants and their processing possibilities.

From her office directly adjacent to the lawn, Jutta Paal can observe how students check on the raised beds even outside of the regular meetings, take care of the plants, and enthusiastically document and share every progress with photos on social media. However, the project's goal is not to achieve the most professional planting or the richest harvest. Instead, the joint work in and with nature is meant to be a balance to the stress of academic life – creating a space where one can meet and relax, while also experiencing climate, social, and nutritional policy issues firsthand.

How the project will develop is still open. It will definitely continue. We are excited: The first peas and beans are already growing vigorously towards the homemade climbing grids.

______

The idea of networking the Urban Gardening project as widely as possible within the university is also reflected in the concept of this year's International Day, where international herbs and spices will be highlighted (June 27, 12-3 PM in the Glass Hall). Everyone is warmly invited to attend.