URBAN GARDENS AND CITY BEEKEEPING - UG ECONAUT

When we talk about the future development of a city, we are not only talking about built structures, but also about how such a structure relates to cultivated green areas, but also to the nature that surrounds it. Likewise, we should not only talk about the needs of people as city dwellers, but also of all the other species that inhabit it. The vision of Belgrade that we wish for in 2041 must therefore include apartments and habitats.

City. An environment reserved for man, adapted to his needs, mostly very polluted. The number of green areas in the city is decreasing and the existing parks and gardens are often neglected. All this leads us to the conclusion that the urban environment is not an adequate place for animals. We are probably surprised when a bee enters our apartment or a bumblebee lands on the flowers on the terrace. Therefore you would certainly be surprised if we told you that there are as many as 250 species of bees living in Belgrade! If we remember some basic lessons in biology, we will understand why these small insects are really necessary for us. The most familiar to us, the honey bee, is one of the most important pollinator insects that pollinates as many as 70 out of 100 plants that are in our daily use. Since a varied diet is the pivot of a healthy life, and the presence of insects is an indicator that our city continues breathing, we should not worry if we see a beehive in front of the building, among the concrete walls.

The association of citizens proves that attention is paid to these fantastic insects at the local level Econaut. This group of bee lovers under the slogan,,let's bring nature back to the city" proves that the coexistence of humans and bees in the city is possible. The team from Econaut designs urban gardens - they turn neglected spaces into green oases. Since last year, they have been organizing a beekeeping school, and they are currently working on branding Belgrade honey. Company Creative she set a positive example by giving her roof to bees and their houses, as well as a learning space for students of the beekeeping school.

Sabina Kerić, the founder of Econaut, says that their ultimate idea is to create a surface that works on principle community gardening - to create a place for production, a place for meeting and education about bees, which will be useful for everyone. However, Sabina reminds: "Our idea is quite ambitious considering our political, economic and other circumstances. It is practically impossible for an NGO to get a piece of land that belongs to the state. There is no competition or legal regulation that allows citizens to do that." Sabina tried to present her idea to the city administration, but the urban garden was characterized as aesthetically ugly, while the priority was the fountains. "State lands are kept for investors. It seems that it is better for them to let the unused space remain a landfill, than to let some citizens grow peppers and tomatoes there.", Sabina points out.