Many thanks to Caroline Wiygul for sharing the results of her MA research into this pertinent subject. She finds that:
“Neighbourhood social cohesion has been shown to improve mental wellbeing and enable communities to manage common resources, making it a relevant subject for public health
practitioners, urban designers, and organisers alike… Community gardens develop all of these through cultivation and social activities, as a wealth of case studies in the literature
document…The researcher collaborated with a local urban agriculture organisation that helps develop gardens and growers’ associations around the city. Social cohesion was measured through surveys and semi-structured interviews, and governance data was collected through online research and interviews with organisers.
Qualitative and quantitative data show that communal plots, central paths, paid community gardeners, and programming that involves food, cooking, and skill sharing may increase social cohesion development in community gardens. These results can be applied to current and future management of organised garden projects in this context.” The summary below gives a idea of the scope of Caroline’s research! I wonder how our maverick set up fits in – probably doesn’t.
Meadows Community Gardens 