When conducting our research in CONVIVIUM, we focus on the dialogue between the past, present, and future, aiming to actively rethink food heritage. Rotterdam, the home location for the Open Garden solution, is a fertile ground for such dialogues. As a city with a rich heritage of public gardens dating back to the seventeenth century, it allows us to spot, observe, and engage with practices that contribute to this heritage.

Rotterdam Zuid (South) has particularly attracted our attention. Very much characterised by international inhabitants, this part of the city is an area where various food heritages come together. In our work, we notice spaces that respond to this international richness – or, aim to respond to it and celebrate it. One such place is Rotterdamse Munt, a social urban garden established in 2014.

Ever since, the garden has been aiming to respond to the needs of the neighbourhood, initially providing space for harvesting and buying local produce, as well as getting lunch on site, before evolving into a welfare organisation in 2022. Nowadays, the garden aims to become more attractive and relevant for the local neighbourhood. This proves to be quite a challenge, and we are happy to be able to be part of the discussion on this topic.