Athens Municipal Community Gardens
Athens, Greece · Operator: City of Athens / Local Communities
Overview
Following the 2010 economic crisis, citizens in Athens began using public space for productive, social, and educational purposes. Municipal gardens launched in 2012. A municipal plot in Maroussi was divided into 40 sections (25 m² each) for citizen gardening. Antonis Tritsis Park announced plans to develop 50,000 m² of land into a community farm.
Citizen participation
Citizen participation following economic crisis, especially those struggling to access adequate nutrition
Operating model
Public municipal program with community management, focused on citizen solidarity and social justice
Impact
Addresses food insecurity during economic crisis. Builds citizen solidarity and social cohesion. Improves nutritional access and empowers residents.
Land tenure
Licensed use from City of Athens
Crops
- vegetables
- fruits
- herbs
Scale
Multiple community gardens launched since 2012 across Athens municipality
In the media(2)
Web articles and features that cover this case.
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