Urban Gardening and Public Health—A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Background: Urban gardening enhances public health in urban environments by creating green spaces that encourage physical activity, provide access to fresh food, and support mental well-being. These initiatives also strengthen social connections, alleviate stress, and contribute to environmental sustainability, thus addressing health disparities and enhancing quality of life. This study offers a bibliometric analysis of urban gardening research from 1991 to 2020, highlighting trends and implications for public health. Methods: We employed a bibliometric analysis using the free mapping software VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) to generate co-occurrence networks of keywords and bibliographic coupling networks of documents. The dataset spans three decades, focusing on the evolution of research topics and geographical patterns. Results: This research field has grown steadily since the early 1990s. Over the last two decades, the focus has shifted from addressing poverty and food security to exploring urban gardening’s impact on human well-being and quality of life, predominantly in developed countries. Recent studies highlight the differentiated impacts of urban gardening on various socioeconomic groups. Despite robust evidence of public health benefits, policy implementation remains limited, with researchers emphasizing the need for more quantitative data to inform decisions. Conclusions: Urban gardening research has evolved to address contemporary urban health challenges, showcasing its potential to improve well-being and foster community resilience. Strengthening data quality and fostering collaboration between researchers and policymakers are critical for advancing the role of urban gardening in creating healthier cities.