ABSTRACT
Although urban allotment gardening dates back to the nineteenth century, it has recently undergone a renaissance of interest and popularity. This is the result of greater concern over urban greenspace, food security and quality of life. This book presents a comprehensive, research-based overview of the various features, benefits and values associated with urban allotment gardening in Europe.
The book is based on a European COST Action project, which brings together researchers and practitioners from all over Europe for the first detailed exploration of the subject on a continent-wide scale. It assesses the policy, planning and design aspects, as well as the social and ecological benefits of urban allotment gardening. Through an examination of the wide range of different traditions and practices across Europe, it brings together the most recent research to discuss the latest evolutions of urban allotment gardening and to help raise awareness and fill knowledge gaps.
The book provides a multidisciplinary perspective, including insights from horticulture and soil science, ecology, sociology, urban geography, landscape, planning and design. The themes are underpinned by case studies from a number of European countries which supply a wide range of examples to illustrate different key issues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|80 pages
Urban allotment gardens in the European political, planning and legal sphere
chapter 3|29 pages
Grassroots gardening movements
chapter 4|22 pages
Political-economic urban restructuring
part II|85 pages
The ecology of urban allotment gardens
chapter 7|33 pages
Lessons learned
part III|89 pages
Spatial design aspects of urban allotment gardens
part IV|75 pages
The social sphere of urban allotment gardens