Geographia Polonica (2020) vol. 93, iss. 2

Community gardens in post-socialist Hungary: Differences and similarities

Csaba Bende, Gyula Nagy

Geographia Polonica (2020) vol. 93, iss. 2, pp. 211-228 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0170

Abstract

Interest of scholars in community gardens has skyrocketed recently. However, little is known about how community gardens are adopted in post-socialist countries and what modifications took place. The present article aims to identify spatial differences and management practices of gardens organized in Hungary from a critical geography perspective. The paper presents the findings of a nationwide research based on online research and interviewing including 44 community gardens. Results show that in contrast to the gardens in the USA,these located in Hungary are organized on the peripheries (of cities) and local governments play a significant role in organizing and managing them.

Keywords: urban agriculture, top-down development, urban renewal, Hungary

Csaba Bende [csaba.bende92@gmail.com], Economic and Social Geography DepartmentUniversity of SzegedEgyetem u. 2, 6722 Szeged: Hungary
Gyula Nagy [gynagy@geo.u-szeged.hu], Economic and Social Geography DepartmentUniversity of SzegedEgyetem u. 2, 6722 Szeged: Hungary