糖心破解版

Mature cities are dotted with various “gaps”—from abandoned farmland in the suburbs to underutilized spaces in parks, corners of housing complexes, and rooftops of commercial facilities. This book, Urban Gardens for Changing Cities: Utilizing Vacant Lots to Foster Community, systematically examines efforts to convert these unused spaces into “urban gardens” that not only provide greenery but also tackle local issues and create new forms of community. Drawing on numerous case studies from both Japan and abroad, the book offers a comprehensive overview of this growing movement.
 
The book categorizes examples according to land use patterns and operating entities. Its analytical method—linking specific “places” with “human activities”—will be especially valuable for students of social sciences, environmental studies, urban planning, and related fields. At the same time, practitioners can use it as a practical collection of case studies to inspire new ideas.
 
Urban gardens are more than just spaces for growing vegetables and fruits. They fulfill diverse social functions, such as:
 
1. Community revitalization and multicultural coexistence
In the face of an aging population and weakening human connections, farming provides shared activities that transcend generational and cultural boundaries. For example, a farm operated by Vietnamese residents in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and the “World Smile Garden Hitotsugi” in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, both show how gardening can preserve familiar food cultures while serving as hubs for intercultural exchange—concrete steps toward realizing multicultural coexistence.
 
2. Contributions to environment, education, and welfare
Urban gardens serve as venues for environmental and food education, while also supporting welfare functions by promoting self-realization, activity, and social participation. A notable example is “Seseragi Nouen” in Hino City, Tokyo, which recycles food waste provided by local residents into organic fertilizer. It demonstrates how an urban community can proactively engage in resource recycling and contribute to solving environmental challenges.
 
3. Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As highlighted in the final chapter, urban gardens are closely tied to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” “Zero Hunger,” and “Climate Action.” They also play roles in disaster prevention and mitigation—functioning as evacuation sites in emergencies and reducing fire risks through the use of rainwater tanks. These examples offer important lessons for contemporary urban policy.
 
Through this book, readers will see how abstract academic terms such as “community,” “public space,” and “sustainability” take on concrete meaning in the everyday practices of urban gardening—tilling the soil, sowing seeds, and sharing harvests. For those considering future engagement in community development—whether as urban planners, community organizers, NPO staff, or public officials—the diverse experiences compiled here will broaden perspectives and deepen expertise. Ultimately, the book encourages us to recognize the hidden potential of familiar “vacant lots” and to take part in transforming our own communities.
 

(Written by SHIMPO Naomi, Associate Professor, Center for Spatial Information Science / 2025)