Community-Driven Urban Biodiversity: Lessons from East Van Boulevard Gardens

A conversation with Saba Farmand, landscape architect and Founder of East Van Boulevard Gardens.

This is the first in a three-part interview series with Saba Farmand, landscape architect and founder of East Van Boulevard Gardens in Vancouver, BC. The series explores the impact of local initiatives on urban biodiversity, leading to broader discussions on social equity, and the future of resilient cities.

Saba Farmand ’s journey with East Van Boulevard Gardens (EVBG) began modestly but soon grew into a thriving initiative that united hundreds of East Vancouver residents. Initially an Instagram account featuring local boulevard gardens, it quickly evolved into a platform demonstrating how community engagement can transform urban green spaces and sustain biodiversity through local involvement.

The project started when Farmand shared photos of boulevard gardens in his neighbourhood, sparking unexpected interest from residents. One of his followers on Instagram received a grant supporting environmentally-themed events, and proposed to Saba doing walking tours, which led to EVBG eventually attracting hundreds of participants. Donations benefited the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, while local businesses contributed door prizes, strengthening the sense of collaboration and community.

“For any urban biodiversity project to succeed in the long term, it needs to be rooted in community engagement.”

Farmand attributes much of the project’s success to this community involvement. “The walking tours became an amazing way for people to connect—not just with the gardens, but with each other. It created space for conversations about biodiversity, urban ecology, and how we as a community could make a difference,” he says.

Over the past four years, the community’s engagement has only grown, a momentum Farmand believes underscores the project’s sustainability. He explains the importance of considering the “3 Pillars of Sustainability”—environmental, social, and economic. “Sustainability is about more than just environmental impact,” Farmand notes. “The community’s involvement adds the social and economic pillars required to maintain urban biodiversity projects. We cannot rely solely on the government or non-profit organizations; they’re already stretched thin.”

Farmand also emphasizes the vital role of the private sector and local businesses in ensuring sustainability. “When local businesses and residents invest in these initiatives—whether through sponsorship or by integrating green practices into their business models—we create a network of support that ensures the project’s longevity,” he says.

“At the end of the day, it’s about people coming together to make their neighbourhoods better.”

The success of EVBG lies in its ability to foster community ownership while transforming streetscapes. “The real achievement is how it’s brought people together,” says Farmand. “This social connection is what makes the project sustainable.”

Farmand will present the story of East Van Boulevard Gardens at the ASLA conference in Washington, D.C., as part of the Game Changer series. He sees the conference as an important opportunity to engage with landscape architects and urban planners worldwide.

As the ASLA conference approaches, Farmand reflects on the lessons learned from EVBG and the power of community engagement in shaping the future of urban biodiversity. “At the end of the day, it’s about people coming together to make their neighbourhoods better. When that happens, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”

Saba Farmand's keynote, titled "Chronicling and Promoting Boulevard Gardens: A Revolutionary Environmental Education Movement," will take place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm ET at the ASLA conference. Visit East Van Boulevard Gardens on Instagram.

Also read the second interview Designing for Equity: Biodiversity and Social Geography in Urban Planning and third interview Future Cities: Biodiversity as a Pillar of Urban Resilience and Well-being with Saba.