While the typical community garden is comprised of individual beds in a single lot, The Living Mosaic challenges tradition by expanding a single garden space into a unified network of permaculture plots and ecological habitats. South east San Diego is an area deemed as a food desert and also faces issues of high population density, food insecurity, soil and air pollution, and an overall lack of green infrastructure. The Living Mosaic works towards utilizing the many undeveloped lots scattered throughout the neighborhood. Turning these sites into thriving productive landscapes alleviates social stresses, mitigates environmental impacts, and fosters stronger bonds in the community.