In the heart of the Medina of Tunis, a paradisiacal garden is born and a new mini ecosystem is well established. On 25 September 2020, REACT organised the third technical visit of a Tunisian ECS. The members of our network of edible and sustainable cities had the opportunity to discover this restored Andalusian nourishing garden which allowed us to dream of a Medina with an edible future. The story of the genesis of this garden was passionately told to us by our hosts Mr Henri and Ms Marie Anne. By looking at the photos of the site at the beginning, we became aware of the enormous amount of work that has been carried out to set up this magnificent garden, which we salute.
On a surface of 2000m² cultivated organically, the garden, in the heart of the medina, ensures its nourishing vocation thanks to the multitude of fruit trees; citrus fruits, vines, palm and olive trees, banana trees and others, a vegetable garden as well as medicinal plants. A henhouse also finds its place in this garden. Two swarms of wild bees play their natural role as pollinators and indicators of the health of this garden. Our guests also recycle bio-waste by making compost, which is highly appreciated by neighbours and other interested parties.
Everything is in harmony and all surfaces including roofs and terraces are integrated. An imposing and welldesigned green wall isolates this garden from its outside environment and creates an atmosphere of peace.
This nourishing garden has created a new ecosystem where several species of birds have found refuge. For two hours, our hosts and the sixteen participants from various disciplines (landscape gardener, architect, botanist, agronomist, practitioners, pedologist, horticulturist, etc.) explored this garden, sharing its history, vision, design, biodiversity, practices and future goals. In the hope of succeeding in cloning this wonderful experience among the neighbourhood and in other places in the city of Tunis, representatives of the Commune of Tunis joined us during this visit with enthusiasm.

A tribute was paid to the EdiCitNet project during the opening ceremony of the European researchers’ night named in Tunisia “Green Night” at the City of Sciences of Tunis, the 20 November 2020. This event was celebrated in the presence of the Tunisian ministers in charge of higher education and scientific research (MESRS), and in charge of education (ME). The Green Night is a Horizon 2020 project coordinated by the MESRS. This event offered an opportunity for a presentation of the objectives of the Edicitnet project by the representatives of REACT and Carthage to all participants. A trophy and a certificate were given to the municipality of Carthage for its commitment as partner to the EdiCitNet project. Carthage and REACT contributed also to the Green Night event through three e-activities entitled “Carthage Edible City”, “Movement towards an Edible City” and “EdiCitNet Project in Tunisia on 27 November 2020, for more information, please visit https://www.green-night.tn/.

The EdiCitNet Advent Calendar is Live!

You can get to know our EdiCitNet partners in a fun and interactive way this December. Starting 1^st December, each day will be dedicated to a special partner and the wonderful work they have been doing to make Edible City Solutions successful.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover these organizations this festive season!

Click here to know our featured partner of the day.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season,
Your EdiCitNet team and partners

Following the City Team Neukölln Kick-Off meeting in October, and the workshops I and II in November on co-creating Edible City Solutions took place. Together with representatives from the communal administration, local social and culture institutions, the neighborhood and nature conservation, we explored relevant topic clusters for the development of adapted Edible City Solutions. With the help of a pre-test the City Team identified key areas to develop further activities in. The areas read as follows:

The Living Lab as a place for active neighborhood participation for a vital and participative neighborhood and cemetery development.

The Living Lab as an environmentally sound and low threshold educational space for sustainable and climate friendly urban nature and urban agriculture.

The Living Lab as a space for co-creating a gentle cultural change of a cemetery considering the fostering of biodiversity and conservation as a green commemorative and recreation place.

On this basis the City Team collected potential activities and projects to be developed in the Living Lab of Prinzessinnengarten. In Workshop III, which will follow in the first half of December, these activities will be specified into further Edible City Solutions. An update on these will follow soon.

Our member Dr. Ina Säumel published a study about traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol in the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine:

“Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity.”

The results revealed a strong association between food and medicinal uses of the plants, including 128 aromatic or food related species (46.5% of all mentioned species) from over 50 families.

Find the study here: https://rdcu.be/cbodX

We are pleased to introduce to you the cooperative Andes Bioenergy BDA (Alivio), which is part of the Edible Cities Network.

Alivio is a cooperative start-up with a unique and own technology that can convert agro-residues (e.g. husks, shells, parchments) currently hoarded and decomposing in agroindustrial facilities/farmers cooperatives, into biochar and renewable thermal energy.

With a design and cost adapted to middle-income countries, BDA´s multifunctional facilities promote the bioeconomy, citizen science, gender equality, carbon sequestration, replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy and the creation of technology jobs in the rural sector.

Find more information on their website: https://www.alivio-ecuador.org/

Become part of the EdiCitNet Marketplace along with many exciting initiatives like Alivio and register here: https://www.edicitnet.com/biz/