Baha’i Gardens as Catalysts for

Neighborhood Transformation

William Gregg
33rd Annual Conference
Association for Baha’i Studies –North America
Washington DC
13-16 August 2009
 Hypothesis

Gardens associated with Baha’i

sacred spaces catalyze positive
aesthetic and behavioral outcomes
in surrounding neighborhoods
 Beautiful Gardens
to Nourish the Soul
Communion with God Freedom
Meditation Peace and Repose
Reflection Harmony
Inspiration Solitude
Joy and Delight Comfort
Awe and Wonder Retreat
Insights into Creation Detachment
Love of Nature Patience
Appreciation for stewardship Restoration
…. ….
Gardens to Sustain the Spiritual Life of
Individuals– Families – Communities – World
Gardens as Spiritual Metaphors
Heavenly
Paradise
“Guide, then, the people unto the garden of delight
which God hath made the Throne of His Paradise.”
Bahá'u'lláh
“Bridge of Faith” c1997 Thomas Kinkade
 Life of the Spirit

“In the garden of thy heart plant naught

but the rose of love.” Baha’u’llah
 Renewal of Religion

“Hear Me, ye mortal birds! In the Rose

Garden of changeless splendor a Flower
hath begun to bloom.” Baha’u’llah
 Unity in Diversity

Unity in Diversity

“Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden

even as flowers grow and blend side by side without
discord or disagreement among them.” Abdu’l-Baha
Sustainable Development “The beauty
and magnificence of the Gardens and Terraces …
are symbolic of the nature of the transformation
which is destined to occur both within the hearts of
the world’s peoples and the physical environment of
the planet.”
Universal House of Justice
World Order
 “Diversity of hues, form and
shape enriches and adorneth the
garden, and heighteneth the effect
Hear Me, ye
thereof. Inmortal
like birds! In the Rose
manner, whenGarden of
changeless
diverse splendor
shadesa Flower hath begun to bloom.
of thought,
temperament, and character are
brought together under the
influence of one central agency, the
beauty and glory of human
perfection will be made manifest.”
Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p.54-55.
Baha’i Shrines and Temples
Models for Beautification
 Baha’i Temples Linked
with Neighboring Communities

Imagine a very lofty, imposing edifice surrounded

completely by gardens of variegated flowers,
with nine avenues leading through them, nine
fountains and pools of water. Such a matchless,
beautiful design. Now they are building a
hospital, a school for orphans, a home for
cripples, a hospice, and a large dispensary.
God willing, when it is fully completed, it will be a
paradise. … I hope the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar in
Chicago will be like this. …” Abdu’l-Baha,
Remarks on the first Baha’I Temple, Ishqabad, Russia
 Beautification Projects in Temple
Neighborhoods

• Wilmette Temple - Beautification Projects

• India Temple - Spiritual Park
• Baha’i World Centre

Templar Colony
Restoration

Landscaped Access
Corridors
“The promotion of beauty, whether natural
or man-made, should become a guiding
principle in community planning, for beauty
can touch the heart and inspire the soul to
noble sentiments and actions.”
Baha’i International Community. Sustainable
Communities in an Integrating World, June 1966.
 Research Findings Relevant to the
Effects of Beautification on Individuals
• Reduced aggression and violence in
- inner city residents
- Alzheimer’s patients (gardens)
- Prison inmates (gardening)
• Therapeutic benefits of gardens in health care
facilities
• In children, regular early encounters with Nature
are associated with improved cognitive
development, creativity, social skills,
development of environmental ethic, etc.
 A Baha’i Center in West Virginia
The Beginning
• The idea of a center: premature
for some, a vision for others
• Two remarkable auctions
• A turn-key building
• An “aesthetically challenged”
neighborhood
AERIAL PHOTO OF NEIGHBORHOOD – Before [2003]
Unoccupied
Residence

Future Baha’i Center

Construction vehicles
& unauthorized
landfill

Commercial Building

Gravel Parking Area

& “Drug Store”
AERIAL PHOTO OF NEIGHBORHOOD – A Year After [2008]
Landscaped house
& meditation garden

Baha’i Center
& Gardens
Vacant lot
(trash removed) Unoccupied
Commercial Building

City Park

Civic Center Parking

Ranson Civic
Center
FALL 2007
SPRING 2008
SUMMER 2008
 gardens
Baha’i Center

Cooperative landscaping

Cooperative landscaping

New City Park

Civic Civic Center Parking
Center
AUGUST 2009
 POSITIVE OUTCOMES

Reduced littering
Neighboring properties cleaned up
and maintained
Neighborhood pride (?)
Reduced vandalism (?)
Reduced illicit activities (?)
 POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Enhanced public image of the Faith
Friendly relationships with neighbors
Gardeners as “ambassadors”

Opportunities for Community Service

Establishment of tree nursery
Wetland habitat restoration and park
planning
City roadside beautification project
CITY ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
 Possible Next Steps - LOCAL

Track changes in perceptions, attitudes, and

behaviors relating to our neighborhood
beautification efforts and receptivity to
the Baha’i Faith

Consider integrating garden projects for

children and junior youth into neighborhood
teaching activities
 Other Possible Steps
Obtain and share data and experience
from Baha’i Centers relating to
landscaping and beautification

Increase guidance for planning and

maintaining Center gardens and
landscapes

Encourage study of the role of

beautification in fostering sustainable
communities