The Al Manakh Spaces initiative is developing the area directly adjacent to the SAT headquarters into an urban farming space with the objective of using it as an active tool for learning, experimentation and understanding the challenges involved in ecologically sustainable living through urban agriculture. Through continued exchanges with an organic farming specialist, neighbouring residents and relevant field experts/stakeholders, the initiative will see educational workshops held in parallel and corresponding to different stages of the farm’s development.
Through an investment in the garden, the Triennial recognises the need to experience and understand how nature sustains life and live accordingly. Gardening and urban farming not only pull carbon out of the air, slow emissions and increase resource efficiency but a sustainably-maintained garden can also relieve existing water infrastructures, reduce waste and affect urban climate positively. Using gardens for local food sourcing can balance production and consumption-critical to overcoming the climate crisis and resource scarcity.
In parallel to the development of the urban farm, the initiative tackles crucial challenges in sustainable practices in the region by offering workshops focused on learning activities, gardening and urban farming workshops aimed at growing food locally and sustainably. This intersection of food and climate is where we can exercise our decision-making power and engage in meaningful action every time we eat or work in the garden.
