Role of Community Gardens in Development of Housing Estates in Polish Cities

Abstract

The amount of green is relatively low in most cities. Often, the cause of this situation is urban policy which favours developers. Far-reaching urbanization results in various environmental and social problems. In those circumstances, a need for the wider revitalization and reorganization of urban space becomes even more important and necessary. Our article is a review. It discusses the significance of community gardens in Poland due to people’s limited access to private gardens and the growing development of housing estates in cities. In recent decades, cities have developed rapidly in Poland. However, this development was often uncontrolled because very compact building patterns were applied in new housing estates. As a result, in many places the urban tissue lacked common public space. Urban planners adopted a new approach to public goods, including green spaces, and reconsidered the development of cities. Common space was found to be fundamental for the development of the identity of individual neighbourhood groups and, consequently, for social changes. Community gardens are an example of changes introduced to the urban landscape as a consequence of considering common space significant. As a result, local residents can integrate and change their attitude to public space, which is perceived as part of the community. Users gain a sense of community, solidarity, and shared responsibility. The community garden becomes a reason for neighbourhood residents to integrate despite the fact that they may differ in their political views, background, and age. Community gardens are established in a similar way all over the world. However, there might be local differences in the legal system, people’s mentality, and access to land. Community gardens are a new phenomenon in Poland. They are established mainly in big cities, e.g., in Warsaw, Kraków, and Poznań. Community gardens have numerous advantages. Their users are physically active, and they are thus at lower risk of chronic and non-infectious diseases. They grow vegetables and thus change their eating habits. In addition, community gardens reduce stress. Due to gardening, users feel better, broaden their social contacts, participate in cultural events, and enrich their diet. This article shows how the intensive development of housing estates in Poland affects the availability of green areas. The advantages of community gardens in Poland and other countries, methods of plant cultivation and how community gardens functioned during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. With this short review, we want to broaden the knowledge about community gardens as their development in Poland is different than in other countries and to encourage their establishment due to the decreasing amount of green space and dense urban development.

1. Introduction

Since the mid-20th century, there has been increasingly dynamic development of housing estates in Poland. Currently, the housing needs are greater than the number of empty building plots in cities. Therefore, these are particularly valuable investment areas. Developers are rapidly buying plots and trying to make use of every square meter of their land. These investments and the emergence of new buildings cause a decrease in the area of urban green spaces [1,2]. They are being replaced by residential buildings, car parks, and public buildings, which are more profitable forms of space development. These changes are progressing rapidly, and they are extremely important due to their negative influence on both the environment and society [3,4]. The constant decrease in the bioactive surface disturbs water relations and causes floods after heavy rains. The cutting of trees causes changes in the local climate. The compact building pattern also has a negative influence on the local community. City dwellers’ need for contact with nature is limited. In order to satisfy this need, they have to travel long distances, which is a significant disadvantage [4]. Therefore, it is very important that the construction of new housing estates is accompanied by the establishment of green areas for residents. Due to the lack of generally accessible green areas, local inhabitants undertake grassroots initiatives and establish community gardens. This form of urban gardening is an alternative for people who do not have their own gardens. Groups of active residents use community gardens to grow ornamental plants as well as crops such as vegetables and fruit. As a result, people, who are often strangers, form communities in these gardens [5]. Community gardens began to appear in Poland only after 2010 [5,6,7]. So far, Polish community gardens have not received sufficient attention either in Polish or foreign publications, perhaps because they have not been rooted in Polish culture as strongly as allotment gardens (Figure 1). Due to allotment gardens, the city dwellers who do not have their own backyard gardens can lease a plot for recreation, where they can grow crops only for their families. In recent years, the prices of land lease rights in allotment gardens have increased. This price increase was caused by a decrease in the area and number of allotment gardens as well as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. As urban inhabitants’ access to land is limited and their need for contact with plants is increasing, this group of people in Poland is increasingly interested in establishing community gardens in or near cities. Community gardens are not only the places where users cultivate ornamental plants, vegetables, and herbs. We can also observe various forms of urban activism and ecological tendencies, as well as interest in protecting the earth and rational use of its resources [7].

Our article is a review. It discusses the significance of community gardens in Poland due to people’s limited access to private gardens and the growing development of housing estates in cities. With this short review, we want to broaden the knowledge about community gardens as their development in Poland is different than in other countries and to encourage their establishment due to the decreasing amount of green space and dense urban development.

2. Development of Housing Estates in Poland

Contemporary cities are spaces undergoing dynamic development and constant changes. Former outskirts with specific structures are now becoming part of cities. They are losing their former nature and gaining the traits of urban areas. These changes cause the spatial, social, and environmental degradation of various parts of cities. Due to the dynamics of changes and the perception of the city as an environment, it is necessary to design specific places in relation to the entire urban structure and take long-term effects into account [8]. Housing developments occupy the largest areas in modern cities. Due to the shortage of houses in Poland, the development of housing has been one of development priorities since the end of World War II. Despite the demands of various groups, so far, the aspects guaranteeing the quality of housing developments have not been legally regulated. Housing developments are not the result of complex planning and are determined only by free market [9].

The modernist model, which was based on pre-war assumptions, is considered the first urban concept. It assumed the division of the city into areas with various functions: industrial, residential, administrative, and commercial. When housing estates were being planned, the environmental conditions were taken into account, and the natural lighting of rooms and ventilation of the entire system were considered. Buildings were designed so as to create comfortable and health-promoting conditions. Residential buildings were located freely among trees or they were geometrically arranged along the north–south axis. In 1923, the model of the so-called neighbourhood unit appeared. It was supposed to improve relations between neighbours and facilitate the division of the city into units with specific functions [9].

After World War II it was necessary to rebuild destroyed houses and provide decent living conditions to thousands of people in Poland. In response to these needs, cities were reconstructed according to new patterns, and new housing estates began to appear [10].

Between 1949 and 1956, the model of a socialist city was created. It was based on the division of cities, allowing for their residential function. Workplaces were located in neighbouring cities. The residential complex was divided into estates for 1000–3000 inhabitants. It had its own schools, as well as service and sports facilities. In the centre of the complex, there was a square with a palace of culture and monumental, stately buildings for the governing party and unions. City streets looked identical. Only the main thoroughfare with shops was distinct. Blocks of flats were built from prefabricated panels. These buildings usually had five storeys or more and were up to 200 m long. The town of Nowa Huta was built according to this model [10].

It was the supplement to the Athens Charter, signed in 1977, that became the determinant for the further development of cities and estates. In the 1980s a postmodernist trend emerged, which was based on the rejection of modernist town planning in favour of the classical understanding of public space. Various urban interiors, streets, and squares began to reappear in spatial development plans. The main objective was to create a resident-friendly space. The separation of car traffic from pedestrians was no longer practised. The model of a modernist, mono-functional housing estate was rejected [10,11].

Contemporary city planning is based on postmodernist assumptions and the rules introduced in the New Athens Charter, which were adopted by the European Council of Spatial Planners in 2003. The main assumption of the Charter is the coherence of all urban elements and spatial synthesis. According to these principles, a housing estate (Figure 2) should constitute a value factor building the urban tissue and its identity [10,12].

3. The Role and Importance of Green Space in Housing Estates

The Central Statistical Office defines green space in housing estates as an area of greenery accompanying residential buildings. It can be used for leisure, aesthetic purposes, and insulation. Green space in housing estates consists of lawns, ornamental plants and park arrangements, which are not excluded from public use. Green areas are a very important element of modern cities because they have social, ecological, and aesthetic functions. It is not only the quantity but also the quality of green areas that matters. Plants in good condition as well as revitalised green areas determine the perception of the attractiveness of a place and may become its showpiece. On the other hand, improperly developed areas of low quality, where plants are neglected, are perceived negatively. In extreme cases, pathological phenomena may occur in them [13].

Green areas in housing estates are an increasingly important and appreciated element for local communities. Unfortunately, modern cities are densely built-up and have a relatively small number of green areas. For this reason, green space in housing estates is very important because it is the closest available area for leisure and recreation. A properly shaped environment, which responds to social needs, has a positive influence on the inhabitants’ quality of life due to the regenerative role of plants, the availability of a place for passive and active leisure, and the possibility of building social bonds. The aspect of neighbourly relations is particularly important in big cities, where there is usually anonymity due to the considerable socio-occupational and sociocultural diversity among the inhabitants. Therefore, the immediate surroundings may positively influence the building or deepening of neighbourly relations, and increase the inhabitants’ sense of security [14,15]. The way in which space is developed is an essential factor influencing the assessment of its attractiveness. Properly developed space should evoke positive emotions and result in the development of social relations. The attractiveness of green space is assessed not only in relation to the housing estate but also in a broader sense to the spatial structure of its surroundings. The facilities with more diverse functional programmes are the most competitive because they better meet their users’ needs [14].

City inhabitants assessing the recreational potential of urban green space pay attention to natural and non-natural factors. The main factors affecting their assessment are fresh air, green areas, and availability of areas for walking and recreation. Regardless of the type of terrain, users expect the improvement in the infrastructure and the provision of a programme enabling active and passive recreation [16].

Users are of the opinion that appropriate development of green space encourages them to use these areas. Staying in these places improves the residents’ well-being and their health [15,16].

Green areas in housing estates are also ecologically important elements of urban space if the natural structure of the city is defined as a system of areas of various bioactive surfaces. They significantly modify the climate in the city, lower the temperature on hot days, prevent the soil from drying out, and regulate surface runoff. Bioactive surfaces in cities minimise the effects of climate change [17,18].

4. Community Gardens

4.1. Definition

The community garden has been used as a concept in Poland for a relatively short time, and so far it has not been rooted in social awareness. Community gardens can be defined as generally accessible places, where people can spend their free time actively or passively while being surrounded by plants. The objective of an urban community garden is to provide a space for a new form of active recreation. Whether or not city dwellers spend time actively depends on the functional programme of available green space [19,20,21,22]. Recreational and sports areas are the most common types of green space in cities. Gardening is not available to the people who do not have their own gardens. In order to meet the expectations of people interested in this form of leisure activity, initiatives have been taken to create community gardens closely related to urban horticulture. The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) distinguishes between different types of community gardens, including neighbourhood gardens, school gardens, therapy gardens, professional training gardens, and children’s gardens. The term community gardens appeared in the United States during World War I. Initially, it referred to both collective gardens and individual gardens maintained by one community. Such gardens were seen as places uniting various social groups in their self-help efforts to acquire new skills and a sense of social responsibility. The introduction of urban gardening as a way to partially restore nature in urbanised areas was also an important aspect [19,20,21]. Community gardens may be a viable strategy for well-being promotion in terms of psychological, social, and physical health and may be considered as an innovative urban strategy to promote urban public health [23].

4.2. Community Gardens around the World

Community gardens are a new phenomenon in Poland. Indeed, across Europe, there are around three million individual allotment gardens. These kinds of initiatives are now spreading not only in Europe but all around the world [24]. They have been known in Western countries for decades. In the 17th century, the Diggers movement began in England. The main objective of this anarchist–agrarian movement was to create a society based on small rural communities, joint work, and land cultivation [21].

Urban gardening is also a well-known phenomenon in the United States. The emergence of community gardens dates back to the late 19th century when the first such facilities appeared in Detroit, Michigan [19]. It was a response to the consequences of the economic crisis that afflicted the U.S. between 1893 and 1897. Although the crisis was global, the U.S. and Australia became the main centres of its second wave in 1893. This period is known as the Panic of 1893, which broke out as a result of people’s fear of rising inflation and the depreciation of the dollar. The crisis caused a significant increase in unemployment and pay cuts, which triggered numerous protests [25].

In 1894, the mayor of Detroit decided to implement the idea of the community garden as a way to provide food and also to uplift the spirits of unemployed residents. The implemented idea was a great success, and it soon became a model for other cities. Consequently, community gardens were established all over the U.S. [21]. It was not only the local but also federal government that became involved in this initiative and subsidised new community gardens during the crisis. Although so many institutions participated in the development of urban gardening, for a long time this initiative was considered only a temporary solution. People believed that the idea would collapse when economic recovery began and unemployment decreased. However, it did not happen, and community gardens remained a permanent feature of the urban landscape in the U.S. During World War I, urban gardening was practised not only to provide food, but it was also an important therapy for American citizens. There were national organisations and local initiatives with volunteers helping to set up and run community gardens. However, later the government stopped supporting this concept because it was necessary to allocate funds to various sectors of the economy which required reconstruction after the crisis. Local organisations did not receive adequate support, so they were unable to provide assistance to residents. Consequently, most community gardens collapsed [19,26].

In the 1970s, the approach to community gardens changed. People began to notice the need to increase the aesthetics of their neighbourhood, and they became interested in healthy food and interpersonal relations. This triggered grassroots initiatives in local communities. Due to people’s involvement, new community gardens began to emerge. They were still financed and technically supported by state institutions, but the citizens were responsible for designing, establishing, and developing gardens. In the 1970s, the main function of urban gardening was to improve the aesthetics of urbanising spaces and build neighbourly relations. Due to the lower interference of external organisations, residents had to rely on each other and cooperate at every stage of setting up the garden. These activities deepened interpersonal relations in small communities. This model of running a community garden has found numerous supporters, and it has become a model for contemporary facilities [27].

In the 1990s, community gardens became popular in France, too. They were established because people began to pay attention to environmental aspects closely related to sustainable development. The number of community gardens in Paris increased from 5 in 2002 to 113 in 2016. The French model of community gardens was slightly different from the American model. These facilities were located on private lands or wastelands belonging to the city authorities. Community gardens were grassroots initiatives, which initially did not receive any support from local governments. Later, associations helping to run community gardens and mediating contacts with local government institutions began to operate in Paris. The staff of these associations and volunteers provided legal assistance concerning the use of land in the city and helped people with other formalities. However, they did not actively participate in the physical establishment and management of gardens. Contemporary community gardens in Paris are mainly temporary facilities, but due to the regulation of the land use law, users know how long they can occupy a particular site [28].

Community gardens are established in a similar way all over the world, but there might be differences in local legal systems, public mentality, and access to land. However, regardless of the place where a community garden is established, there are several aspects determining the success of this facility. One of them is the right choice of the site and the regulated land use law. Modern cities do not have much undeveloped public land. Due to the heavy land development pressure, community gardens have to compete with other much more profitable land use forms. For this reason, it is very important to choose the site and formally agree with its owner on the right to use the land for a specific purpose. The history of community gardens shows that people are less involved in temporary establishments. On the other hand, residents are more interested in using properly planned gardens, which are not a short-term element of the landscape. It is equally important to choose the leader representing the community and find sponsors or partners who are willing to help to establish and maintain the garden. A good example is the French model, in which relevant associations become such partners [19,28].

4.3. Community Garden: Location and Equipment

When planning a community garden, it is particularly important to choose the right location. The site should be in the immediate vicinity of the community concerned or within a walking distance from it. Community gardens located in highly populated districts with the highest density of buildings but with limited access to green areas have the greatest chance of success. The research conducted in the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, Canada showed that community gardens were the most popular in densely built-up urban areas inhabited mainly by senior citizens [29].

The design of a community garden is another important aspect. The designer of a community garden, which is a social initiative, must provide the basis for its further development in response to the local residents’ needs. As observed from the observations of community gardens in the U.S., these facilities should be square- or round-shaped, whereas elongated, linear shapes should be avoided. In a compact garden, all elements are located in close proximity to each other and the central point, e.g., a resting place or a toolbox. Due to regular contact with each other, users build mutual relationships, whereas tools placed in the centre of the garden increase the sense of community. A square garden also ensures a greater sense of security because users have constant contact with each other and the surroundings. They can see dangers faster. The compact layout also ensures better visibility from the outside, which prevents vandalism. It is reasonable to create linear gardens only when the longer side of the rectangle adjoins a street or pavement. When designing a community garden, it is necessary to pay attention to the needs of elderly and disabled people. Bearing this fact in mind, the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association (MAMGA) prepared guidelines for the design of individual garden elements [19]:

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Paths must be wide enough to enable free passage of wheelchairs, perambulators, as well as people on crutches; it is also necessary to minimise slopes.

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Paths must be hardened, with stable and non-slip surfaces.

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Flowerbeds and places where plants are cultivated should be elevated so that people will not have to lean down excessively while working and to allow people in wheelchairs free access to them.

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Resting places should be located in shaded areas.

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In larger gardens, apart from the main resting place, there should be other places where users can sit or lean back.

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There should be free access to all places, without barriers such as stairs or curbs.

Due to the fact that the community garden is a specific type of urban green area, it has elements that are characteristic of both a municipal facility and a backyard garden. One of them is a fence, which is rarely seen in public spaces. The fence surrounding the community garden prevents vandalism and gives its users a sense of ownership and belonging. The fence should clearly separate the garden from the space, but it should not close it completely. Brick or concrete walls are not recommended because instead of protecting the garden, they may discourage its potential users and encourage pathological behaviour. The community garden should have a shed to store garden users’ tools. By sharing tools users have a greater sense of responsibility for the garden and its equipment. Information boards are important elements of the community garden. The main board located near the entrance to the garden is used for communication between ”gardeners” and potential users as well as other people in the surrounding area. It includes regulations concerning the use of the garden as well as information about meetings and events. Smaller boards can be placed elsewhere in the garden. They may provide information about the crops and people who grow them as well as other information for users. It is recommended that there should be a composter in the garden so that users can produce organic fertiliser for the plants. The community garden could also be a place where users present their passions to others. For example, there could be a special place to display garden users’ artworks and craftworks. This enables the development of the garden and the organisation of cultural events [19].

4.4. Neighbourhood Integration through Community Gardens

In recent decades, cities have developed rapidly in Poland. However, this development was often uncontrolled because very compact building patterns were applied in new housing estates, where developers tried to make the most of every square inch of space and constructed blocks of flats at the minimum permissible distance from each other. As a result, in many places the urban tissue lacked common public space. Urban planners adopted a new approach to public goods, including green spaces, and reconsidered the development of cities. Common space was found to be fundamental for the development of the identity of individual neighbourhood groups and, consequently, for social changes. Community gardens are an example of changes introduced to the urban landscape, where urban planners understood the necessity to create common space. For example, in New York social integration increased considerably due to community gardens. In 2012, there were over 500 community gardens managed by local groups of residents. They mainly integrated immigrants of the same nationality, e.g., Puerto Ricans and African Americans, producing food on urban farms. There were also multinational gardens supported by environmental activists [30].

Users’ sense of community is the basis of the integrative function of community gardens [31,32,33,34]. This sense begins to be built when the idea to create a community garden appears and a group of people interested in the project gathers. As observed from the research conducted on gardens in Hungary, people who used to live in single-family houses and moved to blocks of flats often take the initiative in establishing community gardens. They usually grow ornamental plants and other crops on their balconies, but this gardening activity is not sufficient for them. As a result, a place where plants can be grown and people can relax is established. Parents are usually eager to join the initiative because they want to be close to nature and actively educate themselves and their children about the environment and gardening. Elderly people also join these groups because they want to share their knowledge and spend time actively while being surrounded by vegetation. Consequently, a small community develops, and new people are ready to join it [27,31,32,33].

Nowadays, many young people leave their hometowns and sometimes even their homelands. Changing the place of residence also means leaving one’s community. While being away, one’s family bonds are weakened, and loneliness may be experienced. Consequently, these people may search for a neighbourhood community. People living in the neighbourhood may also have similar problems. When there is no clear common space, it is difficult to establish relationships and develop a sense of identification with one’s place of residence. Community gardens may solve this problem. Even the people who are not interested in gardening can join the community to develop a bond with it. As a result, they can gain a place to meet and integrate with their neighbours by discussing the events taking place in the garden. These relationships often become so strong that they go beyond the area of regular meetings. People of similar age establish closer relationships, which results in the formation of smaller groups within the community. However, this does not disturb the cooperation with other users. The main reason for integration is usually joint work in a community garden, which usually results in positive relations in the neighbourhood. The sense of responsibility for the common space results in the development of community between its users [27].

The existence of a community garden in the neighbourhood provides the residents with an opportunity to integrate and changes their view of public space, which they perceive as part of their community. Users develop a sense of community, solidarity, and shared responsibility. Due to the presence of a community garden, local residents have a reason to integrate despite differences in age, political views, and background [30].

4.5. Community Gardens vs. Revitalisation, Recreation, Education, and Health

Community gardens improve the quality of life because they provide opportunities for leisure and recreation [29]. Gardening has a clear relationship between stress and anxiety reduction, with evident improvements in mood [35], self-esteem, and satisfaction [36,37]. These benefits are linked to the social, psychological, and emotional sphere of an individual practicing gardening. Due to this, social ties are strengthened. They are also conducive to multi-directional education (people learn from each other) and intergenerational education (adults share their knowledge with children). Community gardens offer the possibility of light physical and mental activity and contribute to higher consumption of vegetables, which improves urban dwellers’ eating habits and their health [38]. Community gardens support the revitalisation of unused and/or degraded urban spaces. In many cases, community gardens may occupy empty, severely degraded urban areas, which have been abandoned or used for harmful activities. They also minimise the heat island effect in an urban climate and support the ecological balance of the natural water cycles. In addition, community gardens are venues of numerous events co-organised by local foundations and associations [5].

5. Community Gardens in Poland

Although the tendency to develop community gardens in Poland is increasingly noticeable, so far there has been no official and comprehensive inventory of all existing gardens. It is very difficult to prepare a register of community gardens because only some of them have their own websites. Moreover, only a small number of people know about the existence of some gardens, and the information about them is available on social media [5].

Most community gardens in Poland are managed by non-governmental organisations or foundations. In many cases, these are individual projects of these organisations carried out as part of their social or ecological statutory activities. The staff start cooperating with active local residents, prepare a work calendar with various events/workshops, and promote the garden and activity as such. There are also informal groups of residents taking the initiative to establish community gardens. They lease land for a garden and use it together. Community gardens are also established by various institutions, which use them to implement their community-oriented tasks (e.g., health and care institutions—therapeutic goals; cultural institutions—resident activities, outdoor workshops, joint activities, extension of the thematic offer; academic centres—creating a space for horticultural experiments, cultivation, social activities, etc.) or community–oriented city programmes (a community garden can be used a tool to implement health-promoting, ecological, educational, and other initiatives formulated by local governments) [39].

The comparison of community gardens in Poland and in the West reveals various differences between them. In the West, there are community gardens and city farms with much larger production than in Poland. Volunteers work in them, and some of the crops grown there are offered for sale. Community gardens in London are connected to green business. They have cafes or restaurants, which serve dishes prepared from the products grown in these gardens. Green boxes with seasonal vegetables are sold in the United States and the United Kingdom. Farms thus earn money for their activities and gain social support. This model has not been implemented in Poland yet, but there is an increasing number of supporters with ideas for similar initiatives. Unfortunately, the plant production is sufficient only for community garden users’ own needs, but the quality of products is good, comparable to other countries. The use of natural fertilisers is a deliberate action limiting environmental pollution in community gardens all over the world [40].

Community gardens have a specific character. Their appearance differs from highly aesthetic and fully arranged objects. They are in a constant creative process. They must guarantee a lot of free space and must be arranged in such a way that they can be transformed depending on the needs of a given event. There are usually very limited funds to set up and maintain them, and most of the things they contain are self-made. Their value is that they activate, integrate and educate all who attend them. They turn forgotten places into highly biodiverse green spaces [21].

Below is the description of several community gardens in Poland.

5.1. Collective Kąpielisko Community Garden, Poznań

Collective Kąpielisko Community Garden (Figure 3) was established in 2014 on the premises of the former municipal bathing beach in the Łazarz estate in Poznań. The Collective Kąpielisko Association leased a plot with an area of 1300 m², where together with the residents they started work to establish a garden. The concept of the garden was based on continuous cooperation with potential users and organising the garden space in response to their needs. The Collective Kąpielisko Association received a subsidy of 18,000 PLN for artistic purposes to integrate the local community and enrich the cultural life of the district. The aim of the Association was to create not only a recreational garden but above all a place supporting environmental and artistic education [5].

5.2. Shelter Community Garden, Poznań

This community garden was established by the Poznańczycy Foundation on the premises of a concrete infantry shelter built in 1904. This facility was used by Civil Defence teams until the early 1990s. It had been abandoned until revitalisation works started in 2014. The community garden was created in response to the needs of the inhabitants of nearby estates. Users can grow crops, rest among plants, and take part in numerous educational workshops [41].

5.3. Szeląg Garden, Poznań

Szeląg Garden (Figure 4) was established in Ugory Street in 2018 by the Winogrady Estate Council and local activists. There is a wooden pavilion in the centre of the garden. Due to the sloping terrain, the pavilion was mounted on concrete poles, due to which the entrance is flat and people on wheelchairs can access it. The pavilion is used as a viewpoint. A different view can be seen from each window in the pavilion. However, the architectural design of the structure is styled like gazebos, which used to be common in that area. Apart from the pavilion and the community garden, the plot also has a catering zone, children’s zone, leisure zone with wooden terraces, and a marina for river boats (Figure 5) [5,42].

5.4. Siemaszki Estate Garden, Kraków

This garden was established from the funds of the Civic Budget of the City of Kraków in 2015. The initiative was undertaken by local residents and designers in cooperation with the City Green Space Board. The garden occupies an area of about 1100 m² and is divided into four zones: the Silence Zone, which is intended for passive leisure and has booths with books, benches, and platforms to rest; the Time Together Zone, which has picnic tables and deckchairs; the Cultivation Zone; and the Play Zone [43,44].

5.5. Fort Bema Community Garden, Warsaw

This garden was established by local residents in 2015 in the location of an abandoned orchard. It is the largest garden in Warsaw (4500 m²), but it is not fully developed. In the centre of the garden, there is an orchard with apple trees and a vegetable garden between them. There is also a relaxation zone in the orchard. There are two types of beds with crops: large beds on a platform for joint cultivation and smaller boxes for individual users. There is also a composter on the side. Unfortunately, the garden has no access to water or space to leave shared tools [45].

5.6. Motyka i Słońce, Warsaw

This garden was established in 2015. It is located in the centre of Warsaw. It occupies an area of about 700 m² and is attended by about 40 gardeners throughout the season. The users grow mainly herbs and vegetables. There is also a winter garden, where, thanks to sponsors, lamps were installed to provide more light to plants in autumn and winter. The garden is not only a place to relax but also a venue of numerous educational workshops, picnics, and cultural events [46].

Scientist and practitioners have recognized the multiple benefits that community gardens produce including access to nutritious food, creating opportunities for recreation and education, enhancing community health, and developing social cohesion within communities [47,48,49,50]. Despite the well-known benefits of gardening, the long-time survival of community gardens is under threat [51,52]. Various research findings show that the main aspects that hinder the survival of community gardens include short-term land tenure because of competing interest for development [53], unsecured funding from municipalities for sustaining gardens [54], and lack of participation by gardeners due to lack of gardeners’ interest over time [52]. These problems apply to all community gardens, including those being developed in Poland.

6. Cultivation of Plants in Community Gardens

In community gardens, the selection of species and the methods of their subsequent care depend on the financial possibilities and specifics of the place and the needs, as well as the skills of their users. Ornamental and fruit trees and shrubs, ornamental plants, herbs, and vegetables are grown in these gardens. Vegetables and herbs are often grown in raised beds in the form of wooden boxes (Figure 6) upholstered with agrotissue, supplemented with compost and garden soil [21]. The gardens grow tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, chives, dill and many other vegetables. Of the herbs, mint, basil, marjoram, and rosemary are most commonly grown. Complementing the useful plants are infrequently mowed lawns. In the community garden at the Gdynia Central Park, movable vegetable and herb beds have been created to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The garden is surrounded by fruit bushes (quince, currant, and chokeberry). In this garden there is a sensory zone, full of tastes and smells [55]. Users of community gardens carry out ecological plant cultivation. They prepare vegetable seedlings themselves. They use traditional gardening tools in their work: rakes, shovels, etc. Sometimes for planting of plants, instead of pots, they use plastic bottles, which have ecological significance. An interesting solution is implemented in the “Wilda” garden. A rain bed was established there. For this purpose, a gutter collecting rainwater from the roofs of the neighbouring buildings was used. Rainwater is drained into a hollow which is protected by perforated foil. Moisture-loving species Ranunculus repens, Iris pseudacorus, Geum rivale, Mentha aquatica, Scirpus sylvaticus L., Carex hirta L., and Alisma plantago-aquatica L. were planted in the flowerbed. In the “Łazarz” garden, the oak-hornbeam forests, which used to occur in Wielkopolska, have been recreated. For this purpose, Viola reichenbachiana, Galeobdolon luteum, Maianthemum bifolium, Luzula pilosa, Frangula alnus, Melica nutans, and Anemone nemorosa were planted, along with Cornus alba and Lysimachia punctata. In the community garden ”Kąpielisko Collective”, the choice of species was guided by the appearance of plants (interesting stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) and their usefulness (moneymaking, attracting insects, providing food). Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’, Forsythia × intermedia, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Luteus’ have been planted [21].

7. Community Gardens in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

At the beginning of the pandemic, the government decided to significantly limit the use of public green spaces in Poland. Entrance to forests and parks was forbidden. There were limits on the number of people at meetings, including those held in open spaces [56]. There were no workshops or cultural events held in community gardens. However, it was possible to use them on condition that people kept distance from each other. Therefore, the number of people who could use the garden at the same time was limited. Whole families were not recommended to come, whereas people aged over 65 were encouraged to stay at home. Garden users needed to bring their own tools. Disinfectants were available in community gardens [57]. Despite these restrictions garden users were not discouraged. Currently, all limitations on staying in open spaces have been abolished in Poland. Although the onset of the growing season has been delayed by the cold spring, there are some users who have started working in community gardens. During the pandemic people took numerous initiatives to establish new community gardens. For example, before the pandemic there was no community garden in Łódź. The city authorities took the initiative and allocated PLN 40,000 for new gardens [58]. Although currently there are nine community gardens in Kraków, public consultations on the establishment of new gardens began in March [59]. Interestingly, during the pandemic, community gardens began to appear not only in big cities but also in smaller towns. For example, the Commune of Brzeszcze received money for a community garden under the ”Civic Initiatives Fund 2014–2020” [60].

8. Conclusions

A new approach to public goods, including green spaces, resulted in reconsideration of urban development. Common space was found to be fundamental for the development of the identity of individual neighbourhood groups and, consequently, for social changes. Community gardens are an example of changes introduced to the urban landscape as a consequence of considering common space as significant. As a result, local residents can integrate and change their attitude to public space, which is perceived as part of the community. Users gain a sense of community, solidarity, and shared responsibility. The community garden becomes a reason for neighbourhood residents to integrate despite the fact that they may differ in their political views, background, and age. Community gardens are established in a similar way all over the world. However, there might be local differences in the legal system, people’s mentality, and access to land. Community gardens are a new phenomenon in Poland. They are established mainly in big cities, e.g., in Warsaw, Kraków, and Poznań. They operate on the basis of social trust. Community gardens in cities are most often cultivated by members of the community living in a common neighbourhood or one housing estate—located near the garden. The rules of their use are regulated by special by-laws, contracts or membership declarations. Community gardens are created on the initiative of informal groups (neighbours), formal groups (housing cooperatives), institutions (e.g., senior citizens’ clubs, cultural centres, museums) or NGOs. They are usually created on urban land—often wasteland, degraded, neglected and undeveloped areas. The financing of a community garden depends on its initiators—funds for the maintenance of a green corner may come from contributions of members, public collections, the budget of organisations, local programmes or competitions. Community gardens have numerous advantages. Their users are physically active; thus, they are at lower risk of chronic and non-infectious diseases. They grow vegetables and thus change their eating habits. In addition, community gardens reduce stress. Due to gardening, users feel better, broaden their social contacts, participate in cultural events and enrich their diet. Promoting and enhancing a coherent, systematic and interdisciplinary impact assessment approach in community gardens in Poland will help actors and main stakeholders to design future policy strategies.