The Multifaceted Impact of Urban Gardening for Enhancing Environment, Health, And Community
Beatrice Atieno Otieno 1, Davis Bwire Namiripo 1*
Australian Herbal Insight 2(1) 1-5 https://doi.org/10.25163/ahi.219907
Submitted: 13 August 2019 Revised: 27 October 2019 Published: 29 October 2019
Abstract
Background: Urban gardening, an ancient practice, has gained renewed significance in the face of rapid urbanization and its associated challenges, including environmental degradation and declining mental health. This study explores the multifaceted role of urban gardening in fostering sustainable urban development by addressing its environmental, social, and health impacts. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews across five cities—New York, Berlin, Mumbai, São Paulo, and Nairobi. Structured surveys were distributed to 300 participants, focusing on air quality, access to fresh food, social interactions, and mental health. Semi-structured interviews with 30 stakeholders, including city planners and community garden managers, provided qualitative insights. Field observations were conducted to assess the ecological and physical characteristics of urban gardens, and secondary data were reviewed to contextualize findings. Results: The findings revealed that 67% of respondents reported improved mental health, with São Paulo and New York leading in positive outcomes. Urban gardening contributed to a reduction in the urban heat island effect, with temperature reductions of up to 4°C. Additionally, gardens enhanced biodiversity by hosting various plant species, creating habitats for pollinators. Urban gardens served as social hubs, fostering community engagement and inclusivity, while 60% of respondents in São Paulo reported improved access to fresh food. Conclusion: Urban gardening significantly enhances environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and mental health in urban areas, particularly in marginalized communities. However, challenges such as land access and insufficient policy support hinder its potential. For urban gardening to thrive, it is crucial for local governments and communities to prioritize green infrastructure in urban planning, ensuring the sustainability of these vital green spaces in rapidly urbanizing environments.
Keywords: Urban Gardening, Sustainability, Mental Health, Food Security, Community Cohesion
References
Armstrong, D. (2000). A survey of community gardens in upstate New York: Implications for health promotion and community development. Health & Place, 6(4), 319-327.
Barthel, S., Parker, J., & Ernstson, H. (2015). Urban gardens: Pockets of social-ecological memory. In M. D. A. Mansur (Ed.), Resilience and sustainability in urban environments (pp. 145-166). Springer.
Benedict, M. A., & McMahon, E. T. (2006). Green infrastructure: Linking landscapes and communities. Island Press.
Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Ali, L. M., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2010). Urban greening to cool towns and cities: A systematic review of the empirical evidence. Landscape and Urban Planning, 97(3), 147-155.
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human health and well-being. Annual Review of Public Health, 33, 259-283.
Cilliers, S., Timmermans, W., & Chileshe, M. (2012). The role of green infrastructure in urban resilience: A case study of the City of Cape Town. Environment and Urbanization, 24(1), 175-192.
Firth, C., Maye, D., & Pearson, D. (2011). Developing a framework for understanding the role of community gardens in promoting social inclusion. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 21(1), 40-55.
Gill, S. E., Faulkner, H., Mackenzie, A. R., & Smith, A. S. J. (2007). The role of urban green space in improving health and well-being. Landscape and Urban Planning, 83(2), 95-100.
Goddard, M. A., Dougill, A. J., & Benton, T. G. (2010). Scaling up from gardens: Biodiversity conservation in urban environments. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(2), 90-98.
Guitart, D., Pickering, C., & Byrne, J. (2012). Past results and future directions in urban community gardens research. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 11(4), 364-373.
Jennings, V., & Bamkole, O. (2019). The relationship between social cohesion and urban green space: An avenue for health promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 452.
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Kingsley, J. Y., & Townsend, M. (2006). 'Dig In' to social capital: Community gardens as a means of fostering social capital in the community. Urban Policy and Research, 24(4), 15-32.
Krasny, M. E., & Tidball, K. G. (2009). Applying a resilience systems framework to urban environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 15(4), 465-482.
Lawson, L. J. (2005). City bountiful: A century of community gardening in America. University of California Press.
Matteson, K. C., & Langellotto, G. A. (2010). Bee communities in small urban gardens: The role of garden size, landscape context, and floral abundance. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 3(4), 265-273.
McPhearson, T., Pickett, S. T. A., & Grove, J. M. (2016). A sustainable urban meta-ecosystem: The role of urbanization in enhancing the resilience of social-ecological systems. Journal of Urban Ecology, 2(1), 1-12.
Pauleit, S., Ennos, R., & Golding, Y. (2005). Modelling the environmental impacts of urban land use and land cover change: A study in Merseyside, UK. Landscape and Urban Planning, 71(2-4), 295-310.
Pothukuchi, K., & Kaufman, J. L. (1999). Placing the food system on the urban agenda: The role of municipal government in food systems planning. Agriculture and Human Values, 16(2), 213-224.
Smit, J., Nasr, J., & Ratta, A. (2001). Urban agriculture: Food, jobs and sustainable cities. United Nations Development Programme.
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share