Drawing upon the readings that I had done, and my own experiences as a diabetic, I decided to base my design around a site that not only acted as an urban agricultural hub but as a hub of knowledge and a social gathering location for diabetics throughout the Lower Mainland. I drew inspiration for this project from Kevin Lombard’s arctic “Diabetes on the Navajo nation: what role can gardening and agricultural extension play to reduce it?”. I aim to design a space where diabetics engage physically with the garden. They plant the seeds, nurture and care for the plants, and then finally harvest and consume the crop. This would result in increasing amounts of physical activity and promotion of a healthier balanced diet.

Investigation of Form

The first two drawings investigated form through a more traditional baroque style of garden and a garden based on the intestinal system that governs insulin production, the duodenum, pancreas, and intestine.

These two forms were inspired by the glucose readings produced by the Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) worn by many diabetics.

Resulting in a final garden bed form of.

What is Diabetes

It is likely that everyone has heard the term “Diabetes”. Most would likely be unable to explain the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, what causes them, or how they affect those who are diagnosed with them. This is understandable, it’s confusing even for those who live with such a diagnosis, as I do. 

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is a result of your body rejecting the cells in your pancreas and destroying them, rendering the pancreas unable to produce insulin. Insulin is necessary to control the level of your blood sugar resulting in high glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes can only be managed by the taking of insulin regularly to control one’s glucose levels. At this time, the cause/causes for Type 1 diabetes are unknown.

Type 2 diabetes is a result of your pancreas being unable to produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced being ineffective. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 can be managed through exercise, diet, and medication. Type 2 diabetes can be the result of ethnic genetic disposition, unhealthy body weight, unbalanced diets, and possibly numerous other causes. Like Type 1, it cannot be cured. However, it can be prevented and put into remission primarily through increased exercise and the consumption of a healthier diet. 

Diabetes in Canada

Today, 10% of Canadians live with diagnosed Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. When those living with prediabetes are included that figure rises to a staggering 30%. This number is only expected to rise, Diabetes Canada predicts that by 2032 we will see a 27% increase in Type 1 and Type 2 diagnosis.

The effect diabetes has on those living with it is drastic. Diabetes can reduce your lifespan by five to 15 years, all cause mortality rates for Canadians with diabetes doubles, the risk of hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease triples, diabetics are 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for lower limb amputation, 30% of diabetics suffer from clinical depression, and approximately 25% of diabetics in Canada suffer from diabetic retinopathy.

References:

https://www.diabetes.ca/advocacy—policies/advocacy-reports/national-and-provincial-backgrounders/diabetes-in-canada

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/differences-between-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes

Diabetes in Canada: Facts and figures from a public health perspective [Internet]. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; 2011 p. 126.

Twenty Years of Diabetes surveillance using the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System [Internet]. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada; 2019 Nov.

Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee, Robinson DJ, Coons M, Haensel H, Vallis M, Yale J-F. Diabetes and Mental Health. Can J Diabetes. 2018 Apr;42 Suppl 1:S130–41.

Site Introduction

The site I chose to investigate is the southern parking lot behind the BC Diabetes offices on Broadway and Columbia, Vancouver British Columbia.

The site proved to have some immediate challenges, first and foremost the location of the site on a concrete pad that was currently in use as a parking lot. I recorded my initial views of the site through multiple drawings.