Care About Well-Being in the Urban Habitat—Family Allotment Gardens in Warsaw

Abstract

Greenery and its significance in fostering sustainable urban development constitute a fundamental theme in contemporary urban planning. This study focuses on allotment gardens as a potential means of enhancing the quality of urban living environments, seeking to establish whether this form of urban greenery—often perceived as an anachronism—continues to play a meaningful role in promoting the well-being of city residents. The objective of the article was to examine whether allotment gardens exhibit the characteristics of spaces conducive to well-being within residential contexts, drawing upon scientific knowledge and expert opinions. The research employed a literature review, qualitative data analysis of material collected through individual in-depth and focus group interviews, and a final matrix analysis to assess the extent to which existing benefits satisfy contemporary demands. The findings identify current well-being features associated with allotment gardens, addressing residents’ needs regarding the benefits they offer, including recreation and leisure, and their impact on physical and mental health, as well as the formation of social relationships. Nutrition was further characterised by the self-production of healthy, affordable, and extraordinary food. The results also underscore the importance of accessibility in shaping the well-being benefits of allotment gardens, emphasising the acquisition of new competencies, the strengthening of social relations, and opportunities for health and recreation as their primary contributions.