Upscaling Green Social Prescribing and Urban Agriculture in Cities: Reflections on Social and Horticultural Therapy in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Post-COVID policymaking has accelerated investment and support for urban greening initiatives. Even prior to the pandemic, we witnessed across the globe an ever-increasing appetite for the idea of bringing nature into the city through parks, allotments, urban farms, and other green assets. Indeed, the latter in particular has seen perhaps the largest growth in support, with urban agriculture (UA) continuing to be mainstreamed on an international level. This article reflects on UA in the United Kingdom, with an explicit focus on the concept’s relationship with green social prescribing (GSP). We reflect on geographers’ work in this area, before highlighting practice on the ground and demonstrating the increased impact of UA schemes that adopt this practice. In doing so, we hope that this article influences key actors to be aware of these opportunities and challenges, alongside influencing more geographers to engage with the growing field of GSP.