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From Crisis to Opportunity: Exploring Urban Food Growing in the UK During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

Blythe, Chris; Caputo, Silvio; Hardman, Michael; Milbourne, Paul; Samangooei, Mina; Schoen, Victoria

Authors

Chris Blythe

Silvio Caputo

Paul Milbourne

Mina Samangooei

Victoria Schoen



Abstract

Gardening during times of crisis can have significant benefits to individuals and populations in terms of health, well-being, social and economic outcomes. So-called ‘crisis gardening’ can even be linked to transformative change in food systems through socio-ecological aspects of agroecology. In this book, crisis gardening is explored to better define, describe and provide recommendations about this activity globally. Diverse perspectives are offered from scholars around the world, providing an overview of gardening during crises with ties to agroecology. Such a perspective is critical as we grapple with food system crises, pandemics, climate change, biodiversity loss, mental health issues and political conflict globally.

The first section defines and explains crisis gardening in relation to agroecology, transformative change in food systems and public health
The second section describes case studies from around the world of crisis gardening from various social-ecological perspectives
The third section provides policy and practice recommendations and how to scale up the lessons from crisis gardening to transform food systems, public health systems, and policy and landscape planning processes

Bringing together leaders and experts (academics, policy makers and practitioners) from around the world, the book provides case studies of crisis gardening and develops recommendations to harness the lessons from this practice.

Deposit Date Jun 20, 2025
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 1
Book Title Crisis Gardening: A Global Perspective
Chapter Number 6
ISBN 9781032564067
Publisher URL https://www.routledge.com/Crisis-Gardening-A-Global-Perspective/Kingsley-Egerer/p/book/9781032564067
Additional Information Link to book chapter: https://www.routledge.com/Crisis-Gardening-A-Global-Perspective/Kingsley-Egerer/p/book/9781032564067?srsltid=AfmBOooKmjVfB3rWeLsuoMizZmtpw5RSLe_wOZwe7cCZZlFYoqL9-kNY
Contract Date Aug 1, 2025