Cultivating Bonds: On Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital

Noelia Fernandez-Salido (), Alfonso Gallego-Valadés, Carlos Serra-Castells and Jorge Garcés-Ferrer
Additional contact information
Noelia Fernandez-Salido: Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Alfonso Gallego-Valadés: Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Carlos Serra-Castells: Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Jorge Garcés-Ferrer: Research Institute on Social Welfare Policy (POLIBIENESTAR), University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-32

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: urban allotments; social capital; senior citizens; elements; Valencia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1048/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/10/1048/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:10:p:1048-:d:1654200

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture is currently edited by Ms. Leda Xuan

More articles in Agriculture from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().