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Introduction
Healthy living refers to a lifestyle characterized by practices and choices that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. It encompasses a wide range of factors and habits that contribute to a person’s overall health and quality of life.
Thus, urban dwellers, for example those in Kuala Lumpur, are encouraged to participate in community activities such as urban farming.
An herb garden is a specifically cultivated area or space dedicated to growing varieties of herbs for culinary, medicinal, aromatic or ornamental purposes. These gardens are designed to provide a readily accessible and convenient source of fresh herbs, which can be used in cooking, herbal remedies, fragrances or simply for their aesthetic appeal.
Herbal gardens offer a wealth of benefits, from enhancing health and well-being to promoting sustainability and community engagement, making them valuable additions to both individual homes and community spaces. Such gardens can also serve an educational function especially to children, informing them about valuable herbs for their dietary consumption, medicines and many more.
Community Project Engagement
Community projects have increasingly been integrated into the curriculum of Landscape Architecture at tertiary education. The objectives are to train future designers to appreciate communal values, their needs and preference in their surrounding living spaces especially in urban and compact cities such as Kuala Lumpur.
With that in the background, the Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), was approached by Herbal Garden Club of Panel Penasihat KKKL, an NGO tied to Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur (KKKL) Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, to help them in constructing a herbal garden. Meanwhile, Veritas Design Group Sdn. Bhd., served as a consultant.
The project’s objectives were to introduce visitors and patients to the herbal garden and create awareness on the various herbal benefits to health. Furthermore, this project was on volunteer basis, and it also aimed to strengthen the bond among volunteers and stakeholders who contributed their knowledge, resource and experience for the construction of this public green space.
The project began with a preliminary site visit to KKKL. The project’s tasks were divided and delegated among the team members. Mrs P. Kesiny Lethamanan served as the Project Manager, preparing the proposal and other permit-related documents to be presented to the client for approval.
The team also identified the plant species that were suitable for the garden. Meanwhile, the consultant, Veritas Sdn. Bhd., prepared the Master Plan design for the Herbal Garden including the garden’s layout and cost estimation for the project, which in turn was funded by the NGO and KKKL. Finally, students of the Department of Landscape Architecture, KAED, IIUM, served as the executors of the project.
Constructing the Herbal Garden
The construction phase was preceded with site clearance and levelling off the ground. Materials and equipment were also identified and purchased, stored at a nearby facility. These were cement, bricks, crusher run and sand which were essential in building the planter box and pathway. Other materials included topsoil, cover sheets, garden tools and construction tools, while some of the herbs and plants were contributed from individual collections. These activities were supervised by the Herbal Garden Club led by Mrs. Kesinya Lethamanan, Dr. Inthirani Sivarajah and Dr. Razira Farra binti Razali.
The construction phase began on 15 March 2023, conducted by a team consisting of 35 first-year students of KAED’s Landscape Architecture program led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainul Mukrim Baharuddin and advised by Mr. Mahadi Katang from Veritas Design Group Sdn. Bhd.
In terms of academic weight, the project represented 20% of the course assignment in ALA 1282: Landscape Construction. During this phase, the students learned how to set layouts for the garden by referring to the construction plan provided by the consultant. They also learned how to prepare the basic foundation for the planter box, mix the cement mortar, layer and plaster the brick wall. The construction of the planter box and pathway were completed within two weeks.
Planting the Herbs
The final phase was the planting of the herbs. On 29 March 2023, the team began planting the topsoil areas. Among others, the species selected for this garden were: 1) Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe vera); 2) Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary); 3) Passiflora edulis (passion fruit); 4) Combretum indicum (Rangoon creeper); 5) Mentha piperita (Mint); 6) Lactuca sativa (lettuce); 7) Piper sarmentosum (kadok); 8) Hoya carnosa (Hoya); 9) Origanum vulgare (oregano); 10) Citronella (mosquito plant) and; 11) Pandanus amaryllifolius (pandan).
The project’s team and involved parties were recognized by the KKKL during the Aidilfitri celebration open day. Members of the Herbal Garden Club, Veritas Design Group Sdn. Bhd. as well as IIUM students and advisors received certificates from KKKL.
The project was completed by the end of July 2023. In each succeeding month, the herbs are harvested and distributed among the surrounding communities.
Conclusion
The involvement of the Landscape Architecture Department at the International Islamic University Malaysia in collaboration with an NGO and a consultant firm reflected a holistic approach to community projects. The delegation of tasks among team members, Project Manager and the consultant on the garden design, cost estimation and construction were successful and benefited all especially the students and the community. The project is not only for beautify spaces but also foster a sense of ownership and community pride. It is hope that other institutionals in Kuala Lumpur will also expand the importance of Herbal garden for healthy living to the communities.
