Seljagarður — a resident-run urban farm and greenhouse in Seljahverfi, Reykjavík
Reykjavík (Seljahverfi, Jaðarsel), Iceland · Operator: セリャガルズル（Seljagarður、セリャ地区・ブレイズホルト地区の住民とボランティアによる非営利団体）
Overview
A resident-run urban farm at Jaðarsel in the Seljahverfi district of Reykjavík. It was founded in 2014 by volunteers and residents of Seljahverfi and Breiðholt on the site of a school-garden project the city had discontinued. It describes itself as the only place in the city where you can rent both an outdoor plot (20 m² and larger) and a place inside a greenhouse. Organised around organic, sustainable growing and health, its purpose is community as much as cultivation: regular events, teaching days and an end-of-summer produce market.
Citizen participation
Residents rent either an outdoor plot or a plot inside the greenhouse on a long-term basis; greenhouse places are limited and allocated on application. Plot-holders share a fire pit and barbecue area and take part in regular events and teaching days. Every year at the end of summer the garden holds an outdoor market where members sell their own produce. The garden has also hosted a growing group for asylum seekers run with the church aid organisation Hjálparstarf kirkjunnar.
Operating model
A non-profit set up and run by resident volunteers, funded by the annual plot fees it publishes. It took over the site of a defunct school-garden project run by the City of Reykjavík, and is one of the few gardens within the city's grenndargarðar (neighbourhood garden) system operated by an independent association rather than by the city.
Impact
In a subarctic city where the outdoor season is short, letting residents rent greenhouse space widens both the range of crops and the growing period. It is also a case of a residents' association taking over and keeping alive a site the city had given up, at a time when demand for Reykjavík's roughly 600 municipal plots exceeds supply and applicants are placed on waiting lists. Hosting a growing group for asylum seekers has made it a place of belonging for newcomers as well.
Land tenure
A residents' association took over the site of the city's former school garden and now runs it independently within the municipal garden scheme.
Crops
- 野菜
- ハーブ
- 温室栽培の果菜
Scale
屋外区画は1区画20㎡以上。加えて温室内の区画を長期貸出（席数に限りあり）
In the media（1）
Web articles and features that cover this case.
Sources（2）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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