Waste reduction final report -4 - Test Input

One of the first community gardens in Israel, of over 240 nationwide, is the Bustan Brodi
Ecological Community Garden in Jerusalem. This grassroots initiative was led by concerned,
environmentally-conscious residents. With much care, determination and dedication, they
transformed a derelict site into a thriving community garden. The site, of some 1,000m2, was
originally designated for a public building, but left abandoned for many years with remains of
construction waste and concrete leftovers from constuction of the buildings flanking this site.
The residents planted several local fruit trees, herbs and vegetables in keeping with the seven
biblical species.
Recently, thanks to a generous donation, the garden was renovated and upgraded according to
plans by the author, based on a brief created with participation of the residents. The design
and execution posed many challenges and opportunities: The construction waste, comprising
concrete leftovers, was crushed on site and reused for drainage of the compost area to reduce
soil contamination. Top soil was removed to a mimimum depth and then reused in the
rammed-earth paving, thereby eliminating excavation waste. Border stones out of recyled
concrete waste were used to outline the paths and leaf-shaped gathering areas. Paths and
gathering areas were kept at the level of the existing surrounding terrain to facilitate natural
waterflow and drainage, as well as retaining the ecological corridors for the small animals
inhabiting the site.
This project has created a successful precedent for on-site reduction and elimination of
excavation and construction wastes in future community gardens, adjacent to construction
sites in Jerusalem and beyond.
Bustan Brodi Ecological Community Garden. Architect Gil Peled Photo: Peled
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