The spatial importance of gardens: a regional perspective (original) (raw)
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Urban Domestic Gardens (XIV): The Characteristics of Gardens in Five Cities
Environmental Management, 2008
Domestic gardens make substantial contributions to the provision of green space in urban areas. However, the ecological functions provided by such gardens depend critically on their configuration and composition. Here, we present the first detailed analysis of variation in the composition of urban gardens, in relation to housing characteristics and the nature of the surrounding landscape, across different cities in the United Kingdom. In all five cities studied (Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leicester, and Oxford), garden size had an overwhelming influence on garden composition. Larger gardens supported more of the land-use types recorded, in greater extents, and were more likely to contain particular features, including tall trees and mature shrubs, areas of unmown grass and uncultivated land, vegetable patches, ponds, and composting sites. The proportional contribution of non-vegetated land-uses decreased as garden area increased. House age was less significant in determining the land-use within gardens, although older houses, which were more likely to be found further from the urban edge of the city, contained fewer hedges and greater areas of vegetation canopy [2 m in height. Current UK government planning recommendations will ultimately reduce the area of individual gardens and are thus predicted to result in fewer tall trees and, in particular, less vegetation canopy[2 m. This might be detrimental from ecological, aesthetic, social, and economic stand points.
The domestic garden – Its contribution to urban green infrastructure
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2012
Domestic gardens provide a significant component of urban green infrastructure but their relative contribution to eco-system service provision remains largely un-quantified. 'Green infrastructure' itself is often ill-defined, posing problems for planners to ascertain what types of green infrastructure provide greatest benefit and under what circumstances. Within this context the relative merits of gardens are unclear; however, at a time of greater urbanization where private gardens are increasingly seen as a 'luxury', it is important to define their role precisely. Hence, the nature of this review is to interpret existing information pertaining to gardens/gardening per se, identify where they may have a unique role to play and to highlight where further research is warranted. The review suggests that there are significant differences in both form and management of domestic gardens which radically influence the benefits. Nevertheless, gardens can play a strong role in improving the environmental impact of the domestic curtilage, e.g. by insulating houses against temperature extremes they can reduce domestic energy use. Gardens also improve localized air cooling, help mitigate flooding and provide a haven for wildlife. Less favourable aspects include contributions of gardens and gardening to greenhouse gas emissions, misuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and introduction of alien plant species. Due to the close proximity to the home and hence accessibility for many, possibly the greatest benefit of the domestic garden is on human health and well-being, but further work is required to define this clearly within the wider context of green infrastructure.
2013
El li is sa ab be et tt ta a C Ca an ng ge el lo os si i OSSERVATORIO CORES-WORKING PAPER SERIES 3:2013 Elisabetta Cangelosi 2 This text may be downloaded for personal research purposes only. Any additional reproduction for other purposes, whether in hard copy or electronically, requires the consent of the author(s), editor(s). If cited or quoted, reference should be made to the full name of the author(s), editor(s), the title, the working paper or other series, the year, and the publisher.
Sustainability
Urban allotment gardens (AGs) provide a unique combination of productive and recreational spaces for the inhabitants of European cities. Although the reasons behind the decision to have a plot, as well as the mode of use and gardening practices, are well recognised in the literature, these issues are mainly considered in relation to particular case studies within a single country. The regional diversity of European allotment gardens is still poorly understood, however. This knowledge gap became an incentive for us to carry out the present study. The research was conducted in seven countries: Austria, Estonia, Germany, France, Portugal, Poland and the UK. Surveys were used to assess the motivations of users regarding plot uses and gardening practices. Information was also collected during desk research and study visits, making use of available statistical data. Allotment gardens in Europe are currently very diverse, and vary depending on the historical, legal, economic and social con...
Moravian Geographical Reports
This article aims to analyse the development and use of allotment gardens (AGs) and plots in Westphalia and Lippe (Germany) and Wielkopolska (Poland) to assess what functions are feasible in their current stage, thus, contributing to an ongoing discussion on the role of AGs in contemporary urban space. The analysis considered ecosystem services, green infrastructure and urban agriculture. Characteristic features of AGs were identified by means of a survey of plot-holders, in-depth interviews with representatives of allotment associations, and exploratory walks. The management and use of AGs differs in both regions in terms of accessibility, common areas, impact on the landscape and plots development. AGs in Westphalia and Lippe are accessible and developed in a way which meets needs of external users. They fit harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. However, AGs in Wielkopolska are not as accessible, prioritise internal users, and do not always blend in with their surroundings....
Land Use Policy, 2018
Using green infrastructure (GI) concept, urban green spaces in the form of combined private and public green areas with planned and unplanned vegetation, have been recognized as a key element in sustainable solutions for urban communities. For cities, GI provides ecological, social, cultural, technical, and economic functions that also comprise low-density housing (LDH) and its private gardens. LDH can be considered a landscape's ecological matrix that serves as a multifunctional platform for garden-related sociocultural and economic functions. It is composed of technical solutions and processes that reorganize themselves according to residents' ongoing choices. However, the paradigm of sustainable cities argues for the efficient use of space, and LDH may be an inviting area for densification. Infill in LDH increases the number of residents but decreases the space for gardens. Urban planners need to be aware of the potential role of LDH gardens in GI and the pillars of sustainability. This study concentrates on LDH and its gardens in scaling-up approach. First, it reviews some recent studies on domestic private gardens under the pillars of sustainable development and proposes a checklist of sustainable garden characteristics to used by land-use planners. Then it considers possible ways to maintain the multifunctionality of LDH when scaling up to blocks and neighbourhoods.
Role of Community Gardens in Development of Housing Estates in Polish Cities
Agronomy
The amount of green is relatively low in most cities. Often, the cause of this situation is urban policy which favours developers. Far-reaching urbanization results in various environmental and social problems. In those circumstances, a need for the wider revitalization and reorganization of urban space becomes even more important and necessary. Our article is a review. It discusses the significance of community gardens in Poland due to people’s limited access to private gardens and the growing development of housing estates in cities. In recent decades, cities have developed rapidly in Poland. However, this development was often uncontrolled because very compact building patterns were applied in new housing estates. As a result, in many places the urban tissue lacked common public space. Urban planners adopted a new approach to public goods, including green spaces, and reconsidered the development of cities. Common space was found to be fundamental for the development of the identi...