Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital
Urban allotment gardens are increasingly recognized as multifunctional spaces that contribute not only to ecological sustainability, but also to social cohesion, civic engagement and community resilience. This study explores the role of urban gardens in the city of Valencia as green spaces that (re)...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1048 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850254658719711232 |
|---|---|
| author | Noelia Fernandez-Salido Alfonso Gallego-Valadés Carlos Serra-Castells Jorge Garcés-Ferrer |
| author_facet | Noelia Fernandez-Salido Alfonso Gallego-Valadés Carlos Serra-Castells Jorge Garcés-Ferrer |
| author_sort | Noelia Fernandez-Salido |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Urban allotment gardens are increasingly recognized as multifunctional spaces that contribute not only to ecological sustainability, but also to social cohesion, civic engagement and community resilience. This study explores the role of urban gardens in the city of Valencia as green spaces that (re)produce social capital, as well as spaces produced by consolidated social capital. Using a qualitative methodology, fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants with experience in the coordination, management, study and promotion of urban garden projects. The analysis focuses on three interconnected dimensions: the strategic objectives guiding organizations involved, the core elements of social capital (networks, belonging, trust, reciprocity and values) and the governance models underpinning these initiatives. The results reveal that urban gardens function as relational infrastructures, facilitating intergenerational learning, intercultural exchange and inclusive participation through both formal and informal mechanisms. These processes are often rooted in local traditions and are underpinned by shared responsibilities and symbolic reciprocity. However, exclusionary attitudes and fragmented governance can limit their potential. In general, the results emphasize the value of urban gardens as platforms for the (re)production of social capital and the improvement of community well-being, which entails relevant implications for urban policies and sustainable development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c3350d15f308420f8700e8a71eaf9438 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-c3350d15f308420f8700e8a71eaf94382025-08-20T01:57:04ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-05-011510104810.3390/agriculture15101048Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social CapitalNoelia Fernandez-Salido0Alfonso Gallego-Valadés1Carlos Serra-Castells2Jorge Garcés-Ferrer3Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, SpainResearch Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, SpainResearch Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, SpainResearch Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, SpainUrban allotment gardens are increasingly recognized as multifunctional spaces that contribute not only to ecological sustainability, but also to social cohesion, civic engagement and community resilience. This study explores the role of urban gardens in the city of Valencia as green spaces that (re)produce social capital, as well as spaces produced by consolidated social capital. Using a qualitative methodology, fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants with experience in the coordination, management, study and promotion of urban garden projects. The analysis focuses on three interconnected dimensions: the strategic objectives guiding organizations involved, the core elements of social capital (networks, belonging, trust, reciprocity and values) and the governance models underpinning these initiatives. The results reveal that urban gardens function as relational infrastructures, facilitating intergenerational learning, intercultural exchange and inclusive participation through both formal and informal mechanisms. These processes are often rooted in local traditions and are underpinned by shared responsibilities and symbolic reciprocity. However, exclusionary attitudes and fragmented governance can limit their potential. In general, the results emphasize the value of urban gardens as platforms for the (re)production of social capital and the improvement of community well-being, which entails relevant implications for urban policies and sustainable development.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1048urban allotmentssocial capitalsenior citizenselementsValencia |
| spellingShingle | Noelia Fernandez-Salido Alfonso Gallego-Valadés Carlos Serra-Castells Jorge Garcés-Ferrer Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital Agriculture urban allotments social capital senior citizens elements Valencia |
| title | Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital |
| title_full | Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital |
| title_fullStr | Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital |
| title_short | Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital |
| title_sort | cultivating bonds on urban allotment gardens and their relationship with social capital |
| topic | urban allotments social capital senior citizens elements Valencia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1048 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT noeliafernandezsalido cultivatingbondsonurbanallotmentgardensandtheirrelationshipwithsocialcapital AT alfonsogallegovalades cultivatingbondsonurbanallotmentgardensandtheirrelationshipwithsocialcapital AT carlosserracastells cultivatingbondsonurbanallotmentgardensandtheirrelationshipwithsocialcapital AT jorgegarcesferrer cultivatingbondsonurbanallotmentgardensandtheirrelationshipwithsocialcapital |