Contested Greenspace Solidarities?: Asymmetric Valuation Compromises and Civic-Material Tensions in Copenhagen Allotment Gardens. Issue 3 (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomas, Nicola C.; Blok, Anders
• Is Part Of: Nature + culture. Volume 17:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: allotment gardens -- green-space solidarity -- pragmatic sociology -- sustainability politics -- urban greening -- urban nature; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Nature and civilization -- Periodicals; 306
• DOI: 10.3167/nc.2022.170302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-6073

Abstract

Abstract: Urban allotment gardens constitute urban natures with a rich history as well as potential public redevelopment land. While many cities in Europe struggle to protect allotment gardens from competing land-use forces, in Copenhagen, allotments are classified as valuable urban nature and enjoy special protection. We analyze the social and political conditions and consequences of this unique situation. Taking a closer look at the governance arrangements and what we refer to as asymmetric civic-public compromises enabling the protection, we show how this is resulting in new material conflicts between civic and municipal actors. We argue that the conflicts are related to the unresolved issue of competing visions of civic, green, and market sustainability shaping contemporary urban development in Copenhagen and beyond and which are starkly revealed within allotment gardens.