Rome’s Urban Community Gardens showcase the power of grassroots activism in transforming neglected spaces into hubs of sustainability, inclusion, and education. This initiative brought together community members and political actors to create a framework supporting ecological practices and social connection, demonstrating how collective action can drive meaningful change.
: Advocacy for Sustainable Development, Social Cohesion, and Community Empowerment
Urban Community Gardens of Rome
Network supported by community efforts and local governance
2015
Various districts in Rome, Italy
The Urban Community Gardens of Rome began as informal projects by citizens reclaiming neglected spaces. Over time, these gardens evolved into a recognized movement that prioritized ecological sustainability and social cohesion. Their success demonstrates the potential of grassroots activism to influence policy and inspire lasting community change. By bridging the gap between citizens and institutions, these gardens have become spaces for collaboration and education, promoting environmental awareness and creating inclusive urban environments production.
The regulation for Community Urban Gardens (CUG) in Rome was developed to recognize and support urban gardening as a social and ecological initiative that improves urban quality and public health. Over time, urban gardens in Rome emerged spontaneously, driven by the resilience and commitment of citizens. In 2015, Resolution 38/2015 provided the first legal framework to regulate these initiatives, ensuring their recognition. However, this initial step primarily focused on controlling the phenomenon rather than actively promoting its development. The significance of urban gardens in Rome gained international recognition in 2016 through the URBACT programme, which highlighted the city’s efforts in fostering community-driven green spaces.
Building on this experience, the administration has further strengthened the regulatory framework through the Green Regulations (2021) and the Common Goods Regulations (2023). These new regulations aim to give citizens and public bodies the opportunity to establish and manage community urban gardens, reinforcing the idea that these spaces are not only for cultivation but also for education, social participation, and sustainability. The updated regulation expands upon the 2015 resolution by recognizing community gardens as hubs for environmental awareness and civic engagement, where gardeners act as educators, spreading knowledge on sustainable practices and climate issues.
The land designated for these gardens is provided through collaboration agreements managed by citizens’ associations, ensuring a structured yet participatory approach to urban gardening. While the administration sets out general guidelines, each community garden retains the flexibility to establish its own internal rules based on its specific project. This approach fosters both horizontal subsidiarity, where citizens take active responsibility for maintaining public spaces, and circular subsidiarity, in which they contribute to broader urban sustainability goals.
The new regulation is the result of a long process of institutional collaboration and community involvement. Over the past ten years, Rome has participated in twelve European projects that have facilitated knowledge exchange with other cities. Since the approval of the 2015 resolution, the administration has worked closely with institutions and citizens, with forty-five participants contributing to the development of the regulation through twelve meetings, including one international event. The process involved over eight hundred hours of study, discussions, and public consultations, reinforcing the city’s commitment to integrating urban gardens into local governance.
By adopting this regulation, Rome ensures that community urban gardens are not only preserved but also actively encouraged as spaces that bring people together, strengthen environmental awareness, and enhance the quality of urban life. The new framework supports citizen initiatives while maintaining a balance between structured management and local autonomy, ensuring that these green spaces continue to thrive as inclusive and sustainable projects.
The regulation of Community Urban Gardens in Rome brings ecological, social, and political benefits. Environmentally, it promotes sustainable practices like organic farming, composting, and biodiversity conservation while transforming neglected spaces into green areas that improve air quality and urban resilience.
Socially, the gardens foster inclusion and strengthen community ties by providing spaces for intergenerational collaboration, education, and shared learning. Schools, social groups, and residents use them for activities that promote sustainability and civic engagement. Their formal recognition ensures accessibility and long-term benefits for all.
Politically, the initiative showcases how grassroots activism can influence policy. By working with municipal representatives, gardeners have helped shape urban planning, inspiring similar efforts in other cities. This regulation secures the future of community gardens as hubs of sustainability, education, and civic participation.
The objective of the Gardeniser Academy project is to support the development of community gardens in Europe by offering online training contents tailored to the needs and expectations of gardeners all over Europe.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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