Urban homegardens and allotment gardens for sustainable livelihoods: Management strategies and institutional environments

Abstract

Diversity of food and income resources is one of the main buffers against vulnerability of the urban poor. Based on the authors' field experience in the Philippines, Latin America, and southern Africa, and involvement with various other project evaluations, this chapter discusses the major differences between individual homegardens and allotment gardens and their respective roles in urban livelihood support programs. Major differences between these two systems of gardening are in their respective decision-making processes and impacts-in terms of both quantitative and qualitative outcomes. Current land use planning, multistory housing, and land use competition from different sectors limit both open space and space for gardening in the urban centers, necessitating lobbying and public advocacy to support such garden systems. While homegardens need public advocacy and extension services, allotment gardens additionally require significant political intervention to secure land, organize access, and support development. Implicit in this is the need for identifying the institutional barriers as well as gathering support for gardening projects in urban and periurban environments, prior to promoting the urban-gardening programs.