Mapping Walk
On the 18th June, we ran a mapping walk in conjunction with the University of Sheffield Everyday Growing Cultures project. We started out at the Riverside and made our way around part of Pitsmoor, exploring patches of land which could be used for growing space, as well as sources of wild food.
Here is the route we took, along with some brief notes and photos of the walk.
View GS Mapping Walk June 2013 in a larger map
Our friends in Manchester, the Kindling Trust, have also been part of this project. They were interested in the work of 596 Acres in Brooklyn, who mapped all possible available growing space in the borough. The Kindling Trust did a similar exercise on a smaller scale in Old Trafford, collecting data on patches of waste ground, grass verges, alleyways and other pockets of land which could theoretically be used for growing fruit & veg (here’s their mapping report).
For Grow Sheffield, we are starting to think about how mapping could be used to help people to find growing spaces, food projects and wild food in their neighbourhoods, as well as helping connect people who are interested in organic food growing. So we used our guided group walk around Pitsmoor to stimulate our discussion about all the ingredients and steps required for communities to establish local food growing, and to get us thinking about the role mapping could play in Grow Sheffield’s projects and wider work. We’ll have more to say about this in the coming weeks, with more events and opportunities to get involved.
Thanks to Farida and Steven from the Everyday Growing Cultures project for working with us so far. If you’re interested in the point where urban food growing meets data and digital engagement, then the Everyday Growing Cultures end of project event in Sheffield on 23 July might be for you. And it’s free to attend – register here
