Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In cities, green spaces are important for the citizens’ health and well-being. Allotment clubs and
community gardens are places that offer many positive functions for participants. They can give
refuge, a purpose, recreation and community. These places can be shaped by the participants and
give opportunity to influence public space. While these benefits are known, many of these urban
places are still under existential threat. In environmental psychology, place attachment is known as
a concept of person – place bonds. This study investigates the impact of place attachment on urban
green community projects and how this effects the role of these projects in cities. A multiple case
study in four urban gardening initiatives in Germany was conducted in three community gardens
and one allotment club. It shows that place attachment has a positive impact on the person – place
bond, the group – place bond and by that also on the person – group bond. Its functions can be
found in nearly all activities in these places. This means that urban gardening initiatives are vital
places in cities, as they support social cohesion and the citizens’ well-being. Additionally, they
give the possibility to participate in public life.