Urban Farm DB
← Back to cases
Community gardenActiveSince 2011

Lisbon Urban Allotment Garden Programme

Lisbon, Portugal · Operator: Municipality of Lisbon

Overview

Launched in 2011 to convert vacant lots and degraded parks into urban allotment parks. By 2020, 20 parks with 750 allotments across the city. Priority access for unemployed, elderly, low-income residents. Parks freely open to visitors. Lisbon won European Green Capital Award in 2020.

Citizen participation

Operated by individuals, families, community groups, and schools. Priority access for unemployed, elderly, and low-income residents

Operating model

Municipal program based on 2008 Green Plan and Biodiversity Action Plan

Impact

Delivers environmental, social, and economic benefits. Advances urban greening. Promotes social inclusion and improves welfare. Facilitates community interaction and nature access.

Land tenure

License / permit

Licensed use and management from Municipality of Lisbon

Crops

  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • herbs

Scale

20 urban allotment parks with 750 allotments across Lisbon by 2020

In the media(1)

Web articles and features that cover this case.

Sources(1)

This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.

Related cases

Community garden
1982

Abalimi Bezekhaya

ZACape Town, South Africa

Founded in 1982, this Cape Town non-profit supports small-scale citizen farming in the townships. True to its name 'farmers of the home', it provides training and supplies so residents of poor areas can grow organic vegetables, underpinning food security and livelihoods.

CommunityFood educationOrganic cycle+2

abalimibezekhaya.org.za+4

Community garden
1973

P-Patch Community Gardens

USSeattle, United States

Seattle's municipal community-garden program, P-Patch, dates to the 1970s. Residents grow food organically at sites across the city, and each garden's 'Giving Garden' donates its harvest to food banks.

CommunityCompostFood loss+4

seattle.gov+3

Community garden
2002

Sydenham Garden

GBLondon, United Kingdom

A community resource in the London Borough of Lewisham for better mental health. In its green spaces people grow and cook food and make art together, a leading social-prescribing site supporting recovery and empowerment.

WelfareCommunityBiodiversity+1

centreformentalhealth.org.uk+1

Community garden
2008

City Blossoms (Kid-Driven Gardens, Washington DC)

USWashington, DC, United States

Founded in 2008 by two native Washingtonians, this non-profit transforms under-used land into 'kid-driven gardens' in majority Black, Latino and immigrant neighborhoods that lack safe green space. Children aged 2-19 learn food education and community-building through growing, cooking and a youth cooperative that sells produce. It has developed over 100 projects in DC and nationwide.

Food educationCommunityWelfare+1

cityblossoms.org+1

Lisbon Urban Allotment Garden Programme — Urban Farm DB