Cultivating Bonds: on Urban Allotment Gardens and Their Relationship with Social Capital

Urban allotment gardens are increasingly recognised as multifunctional spaces that contribute not only to ecological sustainability, but also to social cohesion, civic engagement and community resilience. This study explores the role of urban gardens in the city of Valencia as green spaces that (re)produce social capital, as well as spaces produced by consolidated social capital. Using a qualitative methodology, fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants involved in the coordination, participation and study of urban gardening initiatives. The analysis focuses on three interconnected dimensions: the strategic objectives guiding organisations involved, the core elements of social capital (networks, belonging, trust, reciprocity and values) and the governance models underpinning these initiatives. The results reveal that urban gardens function as relational infrastructures, facilitating intergenerational learning, intercultural exchange and inclusive participation through both formal and informal mechanisms. These processes are often rooted in local traditions and are underpinned by shared responsibilities and symbolic reciprocity. However, exclusionary attitudes and fragmented governance can limit their potential. In general, the results emphasise the value of urban gardens as platforms for the creation and reproduction of social capital and the improvement of community well-being, which suggests important implications for urban policy and sustainable development.