Quality of life in cities: The role of private urban gardens in sustainable development

RHS project team

Ms June Greenway, University of Sheffield (RHS-funded PhD studentship)

Start date

31/01/2005 13:41:35

End date

31/01/2009 13:41:39

The problem

Since the end of the 19^th century, gardens have been seen as an essential ingredient of a decent home and provision has explicitly been linked to issues of quality of life, well being and social justice.

However, more recently, the change of emphasis towards more efficient use and reuse of urban land has undoubtedly put pressure on existing garden provision and reduced new provision. This is at a time when there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the contribution urban gardens could make to sustainable development has been under valued, and is more extensive than has previously been thought. Consequently, while there is now greater potential to link garden provision into the delivery of a wide range of sustainability goals, the link between provision and delivery is no longer explicit.

Approach

A critical realist approach is used to identify both the ‘necessary conditions’ and mechanisms that can help explain why it is that some people choose to practice for example growing fruit and vegetables and composting. A combination of both quantitative (i.e. questionnaires and diaries) and qualitative methods (i.e. in-depth interviews) are used to generate data.

Aims

To identify the potential contribution that private urban gardens make to sustainable development, by explaining a range of sustainable garden practices and identifying how current practices can be influenced to maximise the contribution of private urban gardens to sustainable development.

Benefits to gardeners

Making a strong case for the preservation of existing urban gardens and continued provision in new homes. Identifying effective ways to overcome barriers to engaging in a range of garden practices including: growing fruit and vegetables, composting, collecting and reusing water, line drying and encouraging wildlife.

References

Cook J A (1968). Gardens on housing estates: a survey of user attitudes and behaviour on seven layouts. Town Planning Review, 39, 217-234.

Coulson N (1980). Space Around the Home. Architects Journal, 172 (52), 1245-60.

Dunnett N and Qasim M (2000). Perceived Benefits to Human Well-being of Urban Gardens. Horttechnology, 10 (1).

Gaston K J, Warren P H, Thompson K and Smith R M (2005). Urban domestic gardens (IV): the extent of the resource and it's associated features. Biodiversity and Conservation.

Halkett I P B (1978). The recreational use of private gardens. J.Leisure Res, 10 (1), 13-20.

Haughton G (1999). Environmental Justice and the Sustainable City. In: Satterthwaite D (ed) The Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Cities. London, Earthscan.

Kellett J E (1982). The private garden in England and Wales. Landscape Planning, 9, 105-123.

Tucker P, Speirs D, Fletcher S, Edgerton E and McKechnie J (2003). Factors Affecting Take-up and Drop-out from Home Composting Schemes. Local Environment, 8 (3), 245-259.