Presentatie @ 'Cultureel erfgoed en groene zorgplaatsen in de stad', FARO, 19 november 2019

1. How can urban museums unlock
their green potential?
Museum of Medicinal Plants and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
Dr. Vitalija Povilaityte-Petri
Vitalija.Povilaityte@ulb.ac.be
Cultural heritage and green care places in the city, 19 November 2019, FARO, Brussels

2. OBJECTIVES OF OUR STUDY
To analyse how the geographical, historical, political, demographic and
legal situation shape urban therapeutic landscapes
To analyse how gardens and other green spaces managed by
communities or cultural/scientific organisations contribute to:
§ promotion of physical, mental and social health, connectedness with
nature and place attachment
§ protection and promotion of natural-cultural heritage, biocultural
diversity and local knowledge in the City of Brussels and Belgium
We assess the potential of cultural heritage institutions for mental health
recovery using nature resources and green spaces

3. METHODOLOGY FOR CASE STUDY OF BRUSSELS AND BELGIUM
§ Our research so far is being carried out using mainly observational methods
§ Literature research on-line and in the libraries
§ Visits to the relevant sites of Brussels
§ Organising meetings and interviewing citizens involved in therapeutic landscapes
§ Interviews and meetings with responsible competent authorities
§ Several conferences on green infrastructure in urban environment
§ Following the activities of nature organisations, practitioners, creative artists and
ecologists working in promoting therapeutic landscapes
§ Part 1: inventory of places and identification of nature based interventions
§ Part 2: interviews
§ Part 3: processing of obtained results

4. HISTORICAL GARDENS
• Belgium has strong medieval traditions with gardens in monasteries, old hospitals, castles
and historical houses.
• The early industrialisation in Belgium which accelerated in the beginning of the 20th century
pushed away traditional biocultural health related practices.
• Hainaut and the region "Pays des Collines" are known as an example of the use and
cultivation of medicinal plants since the 16th century.
• In 1929 more than 23 hectares were cultivated with medicinal plants in the area of Flobecq-
Wodecq-Lessines. Garden angelica, camomile, greater burdock, henbane, mint, valerian,
mallow and other medicinal plants were grown in large scale in this region until 1950.
• However, a big part of the knowledge and interest in medicinal plants was lost during periods
of intensive industrialisation and urbanisation in 20th century.
• From the 20th century, medicinal plants constituted an important target for the development of
new medicines in the pharmaceutical industry and became of little interest for the general
public, even in rural areas.

5. HISTORICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BELGIUM (I)
Monasteries - Abbey Stavelot
ü 1147, letter describing ‘winter’ medicines to prevent colds: catmint (Nepeta cataria L.),
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), lovage (Levisticum officinale L.) , persil, cumin,
thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.)
ü XVIIth century è"Benedictine balm" – ginger, nutmeg, clove.
ü The medieval garden - Jardin du cloître - of 200 plants was recreated in 2008

6. HISTORICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BELGIUM (II)
Monasteries – Abbey Villers, 36 hectares site
ü Created in 12th century by monks of the Cistercian Order
ü Typical monastic medicinal garden of the Middle Ages
ü Medicinal garden was recreated few years ago and serves as educational and meditative
place

7. HISTORICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BELGIUM (III)
Monasteries – Abbey Orval
ü Garden of medicinal plants – 1774
ü Pharmacist Antoine Perrin (1738-1788)
ü Medicinal plants have been grown for medical purposes, food, dying textiles, as spices
and aromatic plants

8. HISTORICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BELGIUM (IV)
Monasteries – Abbey d’Aulne, Le jardin de l’infirmerie
ü 3075 m² garden with 80 medicinal plants
http://www.abbayedaulne.be/courinfirmerie.htm

9. HISTORICAL GARDENS IN OLD ABBEYS
Abbey Herkenrode – Hortus officinalis
Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy

10. HISTORICAL GARDENS IN CASTLES
Château-Fort d'Ecaussinnes-Lalaing
Château Hex

11. HISTORICAL USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN BELGIUM (V)
Site of Hospital Notre-Dame à la Rose in Lessines
ü It is an ancient hospital, founded in the 13th century
ü Lessines was in the 19th century and until 1960 a major centre of culture of medicinal plants
ü In the garden of medicinal plants (placed in the old cemetery) we can find 120 plants

12. HISTORICAL GARDENS IN HISTORICAL HOSPITAL
Hospital Notre-Dame à la Rose

13. HISTORICAL GARDENS IN HISTORICAL HOSPITAL
In season 2017-2018 the museum Hospital Notre-Dame à la Rose was running cycles of workshops on nature
based solutions and nature-based interventions

14. HAINAUT AND THE "PAYS DES COLLINES"
ü Hainaut and the "Pays des Collines" region are known for medicinal plants since the XVIth
century
ü In 1929, in the region of Lessines, Deux-Acren et Flobecq (so-called "triangle of Flobecq-
Wodecq-Lessines") medicinal plants were still cultivated over 150 hectares
ü Garden angelica, camomile, greater burdock, henbane, mint, valeriana, malva and other
plants have been grown until 1950.
ü The Maison des plantes médicinales in Flobecq is a museum, growing 80 species in
the garden and offering 4 km walk with wild observation spots

15. HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
ü Cultures of medicinal plants are attested in the region since the XVIth century
ü Around Deux-Acren, a healer called Laitem is mentioned in XVIIIth century. He
cultivated medicinal plants, first for his own purpose, later for selling.
ü His son-in-law created a company "Th. Er Ch. Desmottes frères".
ü The success led
ü Both companies have been merged later by Doctor De Neve.

16. HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
ü Other important promoter of medicinal plants in the region was Ignace Mercenier,
originally from a family of sheep merchants
ü His son Nicolas Mercenier began buying and healing sick sheeps from Hungary to
sell to England. He was also selling leeches and herbal-based remedies.
ü During his travels in England he learned about medicinal plants in Surrey and
brought his knowledge to Belgium: by 1843 Nicolas Mercenier began to import
medicinal plants for Belgian pharmacists, initiated local cultures of medicinal plants
and created the first herboristerie in the region of Lessines.
ü He created the "Mercenier company" which was inherited by his children.
ü His son, Arthur Mercenier, created a specific land rent system: he rented the land
under conditions to cultivate on this land only certain medicinal plants and to pay
back the rent according to yields. Average fields were around 25 ares. Local people
also collected wild plants.

17. HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
ü In 1899 a domestic of the Mercenier family created a company "Clovis Le
noir" in Deux-Acren
ü In 1911 Theo Mercenier and Arthur Sion created "Herboristerie Centrale de
Belgique" (In 1921 the Herboristerie was destroyed by fire, but later rebuilt)
ü The following information was reported in a presentation by P. Van de
Vyvere (Pharmacist from Bruges) at a Congress of Pharmacists in 1930 in
Liège:
§ The growing of medicinal plants in Belgium is exclusively localised in
Hainaut province (principally around Lessines and Flobecq; also in
Boussu);
§ Medicinal plants from both sites are marketed by the "Centre of
Belgian herbalists" (Deux-Acren) and to the "Herboristerie Centrale"
(Flobecq)
§ Medicinal plants grown in this region are known throughout the world;

18. HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
ü From 1950, the production of medicinal plants in the region Lessines, Deux-Acren
and Flobecq decreased due to:
§ Abandoning of herbal medicine practices
§ Increase of costs (harvesting requires extensive handwork)
§ Clay sols make the cleaning of roots quite difficult (Valeriana,…)
§ Increased competition (Eastern Europe)
§ Development of chemical drugs
§ Changed status and reimbursement conditions of herbal
preparations
ü In 1954, the amount of cultivated medicinal plants decreased to something like 10
hectares and gradually disappeared to a few remaining individual gardens (mainly
in Ellezelles).

19. PLANTS GROWN IN HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.)

20. PLANTS GROWN IN HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
Angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) Elecampane inula (Inula helenium L.)

21. PLANTS GROWN IN HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
Greater burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Marchmallow (Althaea officinalis L.)

22. PLANTS GROWN IN HAINAUT AND LE PAYS DES COLLINES
Borage Common mulein
(Borago officinalis L.) (Verbascum thapsus L.)

23. GARDENS TO SAFEGUARD CULTURAL HERITAGE
Jardin de Maison d'Érasme
Made by the famous garden architect Réne Pechère (1987). In this garden,
which can be seen as a botanical portrait of the humanist, grow about one
hundred plants from the 16th century which Erasmus used to treat himself with
when he was ill.

24. MUSEUM OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PHARMACY, FACULTY
OF PHARMACY, UNIVERSITÉ LIBRE DE BRUXELLES

25. MUSEUM OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PHARMACY AT ULB

26. EXTENSION OF MUSEUM ENVIRONMENT
TOWARDS CAMPUS DE LA PLAINE

27. EXTENSION OF MUSEUM ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS
CAMPUS DE LA PLAINE

28. JARDIN BOTANIQUE EXPÉRIMENTAL JEAN MASSART, ULB
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Jardin botanique expérimental Jean Massart, created in 1922,
cultivates living collection of edible and medicinal plants.
We are collaborating with Jardin botanique expérimental Jean Massart Réseau des Musées de l'ULB.

29. JARDIN DES PLANTES MÉDICINALES PAUL MOENS
Université Catholique de Leuven (UCL) - Jardin des plantes médicinales Paul Moens,
20 ares, 400 plants, connected to Musée Couvreur.
Purpose:
- research
- education of pharmacists, medical doctors and nutritionists
- garden of the university hospital
- place of recreation for local people

30. JARDIN BOTANIQUE MEISE

31. MUSEUM GARDENS
Wiels museum – Contemporary Art center
Community garden in cooperation with
Flamish library and Maison des Jeunes de
Forest (Mille Semences Ceuppens)

32. WIELS MUSEUM – CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE
Besides nature based interventions museum Wiels in engaged into number of other societal
projects: Maison des Femmes and Outside the lines (3rd age university, intercultural group of
women).

33. ROYAL LIBRARY GARDENS
“Potage-toit” gardens and its connection with precious botanical books

34. LIBRARIES
Flemish library in Etterbeek connected to the garden Félix Hap, Hergé library
cooperation with allotment gardens

35. LIBRARIES
Library “Le Phare” in Uccle
§ Conferences
§ Walk “Garden on the sidewalk”
§ Book illustration workshop “Garden”, art and literure as educational tools
§ Reading in the garden about medicinal plants

36. THE POTENTIAL OF OPEN AIR MUSEUMS
Bokrijk Open-Air Museum, Genk, Belgium

37. THE POTENTIAL OF OPEN AIR MUSEUMS
Skansen, Stockholm

38. THE POTENTIAL OF PLANT FORAGING
Many foraging groups are active at the moment in Brussels: Herbae, Forest to Plate, Par-ci-
Par-là, Refresh Brussels, Aromatisez-vous and others…Often organised in cooperation with
museums and libraries.

39. THE POTENTIAL OF CREATING THERAPEUTIC GARDENS
l’Hôpital psychiatrique St-Jean-de-Dieu à Leuze-en-Hainaut
des Hôpitaux Iris Sud, site Molière Longchamp, Uccle, Bruxelles
l’Hôpital "Chêne aux Haies« , Mons

40. SILENT SPACES

41. THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MUSEUMS PROJECT (IMP)
From 2017 to 2020 the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Museums Project explores the variety of approaches,
interactions and practices on intangible cultural heritage in museums
Our participation in international conference on 7-8 May 2019 in Mechelen

42. THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MUSEUMS PROJECT (IMP)
From 2017 to 2020 the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Museums Project explores the variety of approaches,
interactions and practices on intangible cultural heritage in museums
Our participation in international conference on 7-8 May 2019 in Mechelen
Concluding Symposium of the ICH & Museums Project, 26 February 2020

43. SOCIETAL CHALLENGES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is a central component of the well-being of individuals which is inseparable from physical
health. It is strongly affected by individual life styles, environments where people live and social
context. Changing living environments, unhealthy workplaces, feeling of powerlessness, lack of control
and social support are the main physical, structural and social stressors.
“Lifestyle diseases” such as chronic stress, burn-out or depression are becoming a major public
health issue. It is estimated that 350 million worldwide suffer from depression (WHO, 2016).
Urbanisation. Nearly 50% of the population worldwide live in urban areas (United Nations Population
Fund, 2007). The benefits of urban living (better access to food, healthcare and services) are being
counteracted by stressful and technology intense urban living and associated with unhealthy
environments: high traffic density, poor air quality, noise, lack of green spaces.
As human populations continue to move into cities, there are concerns that we are becoming
disconnected from nature and that this is affecting our well-being (Fuller et al., 2007; Miller, 2005). 75%
of young people in London are disconnected from nature (State of nature report, 2013).
Having a positive connected relationship with nature is an important part of well-being, comparable to
other established factors such as income or education (Capaldi, 2014)
Therefore more than ever, we need healthy therapeutic urban environments where we can restore
our health, feel good and function optimally.

44. WHO AND MENTAL HEALTH
The constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) defines Health as
a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
WHO classification of mental disorders include:
• Depression
• Bipolar affective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Anxiety disorders
• Dementia
• Substance use disorders
• Intellectual disabilities
• Developmental and behavioural disorders

45. HEALTH BENEFITS FROM NATURE:
WHO REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

46. BIODIVERSITY AND HUMAN HEALTH
Convention of biological diversity (CBD) in cooperation with WHO
State of Knowledge Review, Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Human Health, 2015.
Core Thematic Areas
• Health in urban environments
• Human microbiome and exposure to microbial diversity in the
environment
• Food security and nutrition
• Biocultural diversity and mental health
• Communicable diseases and One Health
• Education, capacity-building and research
• National, regional and international collaboration

47. HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY
PROTECTION
European Commission, 2016
The Health and Social Benefits of Nature and Biodiversity Protection’ a report prepared by the Institute
for European Environmental Policy for the European Commission.

48. MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS FROM NATURE
Scientific research results: Nature-based interventions could be part of a
solution for mental health promotion and recovery.

49. BELGIAN COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE BIODIVERSITY & HEALTH
Belgian Community of Practice Biodiversity & Health
Nature Health Benefits Session at the European
OneHealth/EcoHealth workshop organised in 6-7 October 2016
by the Belgian Community of Practice Biodiversity & Health,
facilitated by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform.
27 May 2016
BiodiverSanté
Nature prescriptions, 4 October 2018
Antwerp university

50. STRESS RECOVERY AND NATURE
Being in natural environments may stimulate, maintain and reinforce our inner health
and capacity to cope with stress (Antonovsky, 1996)
Protecting factors from nature against mental disorders:
• Cognitive stimulation
• Physical exercise (positive effects on mood and stress level, observed cardio-
vascular benefits such as decrease of blood pressure, gastro-intestinal problems,
tiredness and observed better sleep)
• Pro-social behaviour (natural environment can also offer possibilities to stay alone in
peaceful context)
• Improved self-esteem, increased vitality, feeling of happiness, increases in life
satisfaction, quality of life and sense of community
• Sense of belonging to the place which reduces stress levels
All mentioned above can be improved by viewing or being/working in natural
environments

51. ASSESSMENT OF MECHANISMS AND LINKS BETWEEN
STRESS AND NATURE
Health outcomes have been assessed by measuring various biomarkers
and using brain imaging techniques in relation to levels of green space in
people‘s everyday living environments:
• Blood pressure, heart rate (Hartig et al., 2003)
• Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (van den Berg et al., 2015)
• Skin conductance and muscle tension (Ulrich at al., 1991)
• Salivary and hair cortisol (amylase, cortisol, Gidlow at al., 2016)
• Self-reported stress
• Brain imaging techniques (mobile EEG headsets)
Different urban environments were tested

52. THEORIES SUPPORTING MECHANISMS AND LINKS
BETWEEN STRESS AND NATURE
Attention restauration theory (ART, Kaplan, 1995) focuses on capacity to
encourage a positive emotional mindset and promote resilient cognitive
and psychological resources.
Supportive environment theory (SAT) assumes that human beings through
evolution, are adapted to a life close to nature, in social and cultural
interaction with a limited number of people. In such context, people can
comprehend, manage and find meaning in their surrounding environment.
According to SET, people need supportive environments to maintain health
physically and mentally (to experience one’s true feelings and thoughts).
The need of supporting environments varies depending on physical and
mental capacity, situation and state of mind.

53. THE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THEORY (SET) PYRAMID
Palsdottir et al., 2014. The supportive environment theory (SET) pyramid. The pyramid is divided
into four levels of executive functions, the lower part symbolizing low capacity of executive
functions and characterized by inward involvement and a high need for a supportive
environment. Meanwhile, the higher levels symbolize higher capacity of executive functions and
are characterized by active or outgoing involvement and less need of a supportive environment.

54. DIFFERENT CONTEXTS IN WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL MAY
ENGAGE WITH NATURE

55. ACCESS TO GREEN ENVIRONMENTS
The studies show that living in areas with more green space is generally
associated with lower mental distress, less depression and higher well-
being (White et al., 2013, Cohen-Cline et al, 2015)
Therefore there is specific need to provide access in green
environments in cities in order to offer opportunities for stress reduction
and prevention of mental illness
Here museums have an important role to play, especially those
possessing green areas
Many museums posses both cultural and natural heritage
Natural heritage places of the museums can be used as therapeutic
spaces both for staff and visitors

56. BELGIUM IS A DENSLY POPULATED COUNTRY
§ Belgium: 30 528 km², 11.250.585 people
§ Brussels: 161.38 km², 1.180.531 people
Country Population density
(Number of
people per square
kilometer)
The Netherlands 411
Belgium 376
UK 266
Germany 226
Danmark 130
France 104
Lithuania 43
Sweden 22
Norway 16
Finland 16
Island 4

57. GARDENS IN BRUSSELS
§ Gardens are very different depending on their functions and creation
time, whether private or public, type of accessibility
§ The objectives and goals are multiple à environmental, socio-
economic, cultural benefits
§ Aim of the urban gardens:
ü To safeguard cultural heritage
ü Education on nature and biodiversity
ü Green infrastructure
ü Cultivating plants - urban agriculture
ü Places to connect with nature, relax, recover health, stay in silence
ü Therapeutic gardens

58. GREEN SPACES IN BRUSSELS: GREEN MAP
Almost 50% of City of Brussels territory contain non-built spaces
§ We have publicly accessible forest, 122 parks, big gardens
and squares (32%), other 32 % of green zones contain private gardens (estimated
number:150 000-200 000 gardens)
§ A high number of parks have a big variety of wild plants
§ Wild plants are largely cultivated in private or publicly accessible gardens

59. TYPES OF GREEN SPACES IN BRUSSELS

60. BRUSSELS NATURE PLAN 2016-2020 (I)
Brussels Nature plan has been approved in 2016 and has 7 main objectives to be
achieved by 2020:
§ Improve access to the nature providing to everyone the possibility to enjoy urban
nature of high quality
§ Consolidate green spaces in the city to allow urban biodiversity to develop and
increase
§ Integrate nature aspects in the city‘s projects and planning: to promote nature in
every decision, also outside protected areas
§ Use ecological methods in the maintenance of green infrastructure
§ Create conditions for wild life development in the city: protect natural habitats and
species
§ Raise awareness and mobilise the inhabitants of Brussels for biodiversity protection
and promotion in the city with specific focus on public green spaces
§ Create networks of actors involved in nature management, to make bridges between
public and private sector.

61. BRUSSELS NATURE PLAN 2016-2020 (II)
Brussels Nature plan includes several aspects related to human health, well-being and nature
connection
Nature is seen as key factor for citizens' quality of life and well-being
§ It aims to achieve good health of ecosystems
§ Recognises the importance of re-connection with nature
§ Highlights nature’s effects on physical and psychological well-being
§ Refers to benefits of urban gardening as intentional interaction with nature
to become familiar with nature
to understand the functioning of ecosystems
§ Puts a big emphasis on children‘s psychological well-being as a result of contact with nature
§ The plan's actions draw attention to the aesthetic value of nature in the city too
§ It also refers to financial aspects and nature‘s potential to decrease health costs for citizens
through health benefits from nature

62. NATURE IN THE CITY
Created as an on-line platform to share information on all nature related activities in
urban environment : European year of Heritage and nature
2017: : European year of Heritage and nature
2018: activities continue

63. GARDENS FOR CONNECTEDNESS WITH NATURE

64. NATURE CONNECTION
General nature contact and knowledge based activities are often used in
an attempt to engage people with nature.
§ Connection to nature can be described as ‘loving nature’ or just ‘caring
for the environment’ (RSPB, 2013).
§ It has been demonstrated that people who are connected with nature
(with high relatedness to nature):
- Connect to self and community, which has implications for their own
mental health and social interactions
- Have Environmentally Responsible Behaviour
- Openness, creativity, generosity, and resilience
The findings of Lumber R. et al. (2017) prove that contact, emotion,
meaning, compassion, and beauty are powerful pathways for improving
nature connectedness.

65. 5 PATHWAYS TOWARDS NATURE CONNECTEDNESS
§ Contact – The act of engaging with nature through the senses for pleasure e.g.
listening to birdsong, smelling wild flowers, watching the sunset.
§ Beauty – Engagement with the aesthetic qualities of nature, e.g. appreciating
natural scenery or engaging with nature through the arts.
§ Meaning – Using nature or natural symbolism (e.g. language and metaphors)
to represent an idea, thinking about the meaning of nature and signs of nature,
e.g. the first swallow of summer.
§ Emotion – An emotional bond with, and love for nature e.g. talking about, and
reflecting on your feelings about nature.
§ Compassion – Extending the self to include nature, leading to a moral and
ethical concern for nature e.g. making ethical product choices, being concerned
with animal welfare.
In this light we can see that garden is more than provision of medicinal plants: It
is a place to connect with nature and place of silence and health recovery.
Lumber R, Richardson M, Sheffield D (2017) Beyond knowing nature: Contact, emotion, compassion,
meaning, and beauty are pathways to nature connection.

66. NATURE FOR ALL
Evidence synthesis report linking connectedness with nature to pro-conservation behaviours and
human health. This report commissioned by IUCN Commission on Education and Communication
(CEC) and Nature for all was launched on 22 November 2018 at the UN COP14 - Egypt
The summary reports for decision makers, "Connecting with nature to care for ourselves and the earth"
are available in English, Spanish and French: http://natureforall.global/why

67. CITIES WITH NATURE
CitiesWithNature is a unique initiative that recognizes and enhances the value of nature in/and around
cities across the world. Knowledge-sharing resource (https://cwn.iclei.org/)