bahá’í gardens as catalysts for neighborhood transformation - by bill gregg

8/14/2019 Bah Gardens as Catalysts for Neighborhood Transformation - by Bill Gregg

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Bahai Gardens as Catalysts forNeighborhood Transformation

William Gregg33rd Annual Conference

Association for Bahai Studies North AmericaWashington DC

13-16 August 2009


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Hypothesis

Gardens associated with Bahaisacred spaces catalyze positive

aesthetic and behavioral outcomesin surrounding neighborhoods


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Beautiful Gardensto Nourish the Soul

Communion with God

MeditationReflectionInspiration

Joy and Delight

Awe and WonderInsights into Creation

Love of NatureAppreciation for stewardship

.

Freedom

Peace and ReposeHarmonySolitudeComfort

RetreatDetachment

PatienceRestoration

.

Gardens to Sustain the Spiritual Life of

Individuals Families Communities World


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Gardens as Spiritual Metaphors


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Heavenly

Paradise


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Guide, then, the people unto the garden of delightwhich God hath made the Throne of His Paradise.Bah'u'llh

Bridge of Faith c1997 Thomas Kinkade


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Life of the Spirit

In the garden of thy heart plant naughtbut the rose of love. Bahaullah


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Renewal of Religion

Hear Me, ye mortal birds! In the RoseGarden of changeless splendor a Flower

hath begun to bloom. Bahaullah


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Unity in DiversityUnity in Diversity

Unity in Diversity

Let all associate, therefore, in this great human gardeneven as flowers grow and blend side by side withoutdiscord or disagreement among them. Abdul-Baha


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Sustainable Development The beauty

and magnificence of the Gardens and Terraces are symbolic of the nature of the transformationwhich is destined to occur both within the hearts of

the worlds peoples and the physical environment ofthe planet.Universal House of Justice


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World Order


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Hear Me, ye mortal birds! In the Rose Garden ofchangeless splendor a Flower hath begun to bloom.

Diversity of hues, form andshape enriches and adorneth thegarden, and heighteneth the effect

thereof. In like manner, whendiverse shades of thought,temperament, and character are

brought together under theinfluence of one central agency, thebeauty and glory of human

perfection will be made manifest.Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p.54-55.


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Bahai Shrines and TemplesModels for Beautification


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Bahai Temples Linked

with Neighboring Communities

Imagine a very lofty, imposing edifice surroundedcompletely by gardens of variegated flowers,with nine avenues leading through them, ninefountains and pools of water. Such a matchless,beautiful design. Now they are building a

hospital, a school for orphans, a home forcripples, a hospice, and a large dispensary.

God willing, when it is fully completed, it will be a

paradise. I hope the Mashriqul-Adhkar inChicago will be like this. Abdul-Baha,

Remarks on the first BahaI Temple, Ishqabad, Russia


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Beautification Projects in TempleNeighborhoods

Wilmette Temple - Beautification Projects India Temple - Spiritual Park

Bahai World Centre

Templar ColonyRestoration

Landscaped AccessCorridors


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The promotion of beauty, whether natural

or man-made, should become a guidingprinciple in community planning, for beautycan touch the heart and inspire the soul tonoble sentiments and actions.

Bahai International Community. Sustainable

Communities in an Integrating World, June 1966.


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Research Findings Relevant to the

Effects of Beautification on Individuals

Reduced aggression and violence in

- inner city residents- Alzheimers patients (gardens)

- Prison inmates (gardening)

Therapeutic benefits of gardens in health carefacilities

In children, regular early encounters with Nature

are associated with improved cognitivedevelopment, creativity, social skills,development of environmental ethic, etc.


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A Bahai Center in West Virginia

The Beginning

The idea of a center: prematurefor some, a vision for others

Two remarkable auctions

A turn-key building

An aesthetically challenged

neighborhood


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Future Bahai CenterConstruction vehicles

& unauthorized

landfill

UnoccupiedResidence

Commercial Building

AERIAL PHOTO OF NEIGHBORHOOD Before [2003]

Gravel Parking Area& Drug Store


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AERIAL PHOTO OF NEIGHBORHOOD A Year After [2008]

Bahai Center& Gardens

Vacant lot(trash removed)

Landscaped house& meditation garden

Unoccupied

Commercial Building

City Park

Ranson CivicCenter

Civic Center Parking


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FALL 2007


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SPRING 2008


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SUMMER 2008


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Bahai Center

gardens

Cooperative landscaping

Cooperative landscaping

CivicCenter

New City Park

Civic Center Parking


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AUGUST 2009


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POSITIVE OUTCOMES


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POSITIVE OUTCOMES

Reduced littering

Neighboring properties cleaned upand maintained

Neighborhood pride (?)Reduced vandalism (?)Reduced illicit activities (?)


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POSITIVE OUTCOMESEnhanced public image of the Faith

Friendly relationships with neighbors

Gardeners as ambassadors

Opportunities for Community Service

Establishment of tree nurseryWetland habitat restoration and park

planning

City roadside beautification project


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CITY ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT


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Possible Next Steps LOCAL


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Possible Next Steps - LOCAL

Track changes in perceptions, attitudes, and

behaviors relating to our neighborhoodbeautification efforts and receptivity tothe Bahai Faith

Consider integrating garden projects forchildren and junior youth into neighborhood

teaching activities

Other Possible Steps


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Other Possible Steps

Obtain and share data and experiencefrom Bahai Centers relating tolandscaping and beautification

Increase guidance for planning and

maintaining Center gardens andlandscapes

Encourage study of the role ofbeautification in fostering sustainable

communities


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bahá’í gardens as catalysts for neighborhood transformation - by bill gregg

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