Grow Green, Live Urban

UTAR Corporate Communications students organised the “Grow Green, Live Urban” event to promote urban gardening and sustainable living on 7 September 2024 at Central 19 (Community Garden), PJ Section 19. Present at the event were Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) academics, managers of Central 19 Community Garden and students.

“Grow Green, Live Urban” is an important initiative to promote sustainable lifestyles. By showcasing and experiencing the benefits of creating and maintaining green spaces in urban environments, the event aimed to guide participants in understanding and practising sustainable living, thereby improving the quality of life for urban residents and fostering harmony between people and nature.

The event featured a variety of activities, including educational tours of the community garden, pruning and planting activities, urban composting workshops, vertical farming displays, and garden beautification projects. Through these activities, participants experienced the joy of gardening and acquired practical eco-friendly skills, promoting the application of sustainable development principles in daily life.

This event was aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focused on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The event was made possible with the generous support of Serbajadi, who provided gardening supplies and Katsura, who sponsored bags of soil.

The garden was established during the Covid-19 pandemic by FCI lecturer Ms Lim Wai Ping, with support from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the Global Environment Centre (GEC). The garden operates without pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilisers, relying entirely on organic methods. The vegetables and fruits harvested are shared with nearby residents. In addition to providing fresh produce to the community, the Central 19 Community Garden has become a platform for education and social interaction. Students and volunteers learn about water quality testing, gardening, and composting through their involvement in gardening activities, experiencing the spirit of mutual support within the community.

Ms Lim (far right) with UTAR academics and local residents

Students enjoying themselves at the community garden