Last updated: September 2024
Trénelle-Citron, located north of downtown Fort-de-France and separated by the city bypass, La Rocade, was originally established in the 1940s by Black Martinicans migrating from rural areas. Today, the neighborhood faces significant economic and social challenges. In 2016, young residents from the neighborhood alongside a local NGO launched a grassroots initiative to improve their community. They transformed a former municipal quarry, which had deteriorated into an informal dump, into a thriving shared urban garden, benefiting the local population. This project, based on traditional ecological gardening techniques and the cultivation of native crops, aimed to revitalize Trénelle-Citron—a densely populated area grappling with social exclusion, a shortage of green spaces, and limited economic opportunities for its youth (Ref 2). The garden, developed on municipal land with guidance from the Ypiranga Martinique NGO, support from the local school, and collaboration from various stakeholders, now plays a vital role in the area. It raises awareness about agroecology, offers socioeconomic opportunities, promotes healthier lifestyles, and fosters social connections among residents. Spanning approximately 1,000 m², the site includes an office, a covered area, tool storage containers, market garden plots, a composting area, and a chicken coop managed by a local resident (Ref 7). In Martinique, such shared urban gardens are increasingly seen as important tools for sustainable development (Ref 5).
Shaded terrace at the experimental garden
Yes, the image is taken from tripadvisor, the original owners (the individuals who took or own the photos) retain the copyright to the image
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Community gardens and allotments
- Community gardens
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Regulation of built environment
- Conversion of former industrial areas
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of historic traditions
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Improving physical health
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social cohesion
- Social interaction
- Environmental education
- Sense of community and community engagement
- Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
- Sustainable consumption
- Sustainable production
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Environmental Degradation
- Soil degradation and loss
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Agriculture/ crop production
- Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods
- Rapid urbanization
- Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Disconnection from nature
- Social fragmentation and isolation
- Poor community engagement
- Resource Scarcity and Competition
- Food insecurity due to disruptions in food production and distribution
Key priorities
Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of areas for food production (community gardens, allotments), Transformation of previously derelict areas, Mine site rehabilitation, Landfill reclamation, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Sustainable use of natural resources to improve livelihoods and food security (eg. community- based wildlife or forest management), Indigenous and community-based conservation initiatives, Educational and awareness raising programs
Project objectives
1) Increase social cohesion by facilitating neighborly relations, social interactions, community creation by providing a space where heterogeneous population groups (families, young school dropouts, unemployed, isolated adults, people under the control of justice, etc) can meet around healthy physical activities (Ref 1; 2; 3; 6).
2) Providing a new function to undervalued land and recuperating materials from the waste disposal site to build a garden with a system of local crop production aligned with local ecological dynamics (Ref 2; 5; 6).
3) Improving social cohesion by involving by making local residents, particularly youths, become actors in their environment (creating a sense of agency). (Ref 2).
4) Education, culture and knowledge transmission by reconnecting previously enslaved people with indigenous or traditional ecological knowledge (e.g. balanced diets, gardening techniques, health benefits) on native medicinal, ornamental and nutritive plants (Ref 2; 5; 7).
Implementation activities
Discussions among the association, young people, and residents of all ages revealed a strong interest in developing the project (Ref 1; 2). This led to the signing of a formal agreement with the municipality, granting the use of the land (Ref 2). In March 2016, the first clearing activities commenced, with the support of young residents. The garden was created through the removal of trash, the addition of soil, and the application of mulch (Ref 2).
Regular harvesting and maintenance activities have since become part of the garden's operations and workshops are held in collaboration with the "Fédération de parents d’élèves (FCPE)" and the Martinican School Rectorate, fostering educational engagement. (Ref 6).
The project also includes social cohesion initiatives, involving disadvantaged groups such as the unemployed, individuals facing addiction problems, and unemployed youth (Ref 1). Produce from the garden is sold at a mini-market held twice a month, generating income for the community (Ref 2).
A social and solidarity shop is also planned, envisioned to operate through a van delivering baskets of fruit and vegetables to isolated individuals in Fort-de-France who had been identified as recipients of food aid (Ref 4; Ref 1).
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Low-income neighborhoods, Informal settlements or slums, Minority or marginalized ethnic groups
Main beneficiaries
- Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
- Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups , Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed), Homeless people & people living in informal settlements, Disadvantaged ethnic or racial groups, Vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- District/neighbourhood association
- Citizens or community group
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated in 2016 by a Ypiranga employee after community discussions revealed strong interest from residents of all ages (Ref 1; 2; 6). To the initiative local youth joined soon. The local school collaborated with the association on the educational aspect, forging partnerships with other educational institutions. The municipality also approved a plan for redeveloping the land. After the garden's successful completion, additional funding was secured from local, regional, and national governments, as well as from other NGOs (Ref 2). While the association oversees the garden, it relies on community-based volunteers through the "koud'men" system (Ref 2).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching), Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Public national budget
- Public regional budget
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
- Provision of labour
- Exchange of services
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Achieved increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Restoration of derelict areas
- Achieved restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Stimulate development in deprived areas
- Expected stimulate development in deprived areas
- Generation of income from NBS
- Achieved generation of income from NBS
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved social cohesion
- Achieved improved social cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Achieved improved access to urban green space
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Achieved increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Increased access to healthy/affordable food
- Achieved increased access to healthy/affordable food
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Expected increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Réseau Rural Martinique (2017). Atelier visite jardins partagés. Réseau Rural Martinique, Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Conseil d'architecture, d'urbanisme et d'environnement (2018). Un « bout de campagne » à Trénelle-Citron. Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
3.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (2020). BEST RUP: Reviving the knowledge and use of creole medicinal plants. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire (2018). Martinique : le jardin partagé de Trenelle-citron, un projet éducatif et solidaire. Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire, Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Johannes Bohle (2018). Sustainable Urban Planning? Reflections on Bon Air and Trénelle-Citron. Heidelberg: Heidelberg University Publishing, Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Ypiranga de Pastinha (n.d.). Vivre ensemble : Jardin partagé de Trenelle Citron. Fort-de-France: Accessed on August 2, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Association CCPYPM (2023). RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ 2023. Accessed on August 5, 2024, [Source link];
Design of the urban garden
None, the image is publicly available on a Fench government website: https://agriculture.gouv.fr/martinique-le-jardin-partage-de-trenelle-citron-un-projet-educatif-et-solidaire
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.