<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The position of urban allotments in the rural-urban spectrum is evaluated in this paper, which contributes to literatures on urban gardening, as well as contemporary rural-urban dynamics. Historically, European allotments can be seen as a product of urbanisation. At the same time, they embody a number of “non-urban” characteristics that create the impression of “the countryside in the city”. This research project investigates how the urban and the rural are materialised, represented and practised in five allotment sites in Brno, Czech Republic. We follow three main lines of enquiry where the urban and the rural seem to meet: the physical environment of the allotments; the social life of these spaces; and food production as one of their core functions. Critical reflection of the rural-urban perspective advances our understanding of urban gardens, while, at the same time, allotments offer an example of hybrid spaces, which, in turn, contribute to discussions on current cities and countrysides. Overcoming the urban-rural dichotomy could facilitate the inclusion of urban gardening in contemporary cities.</p></abstract>

The position of urban allotments in the rural-urban spectrum is evaluated in this paper, which contributes to literatures on urban gardening, as well as contemporary rural-urban dynamics. Historically, European allotments can be seen as a product of urbanisation. At the same time, they embody a number of “non-urban” characteristics that create the impression of “the countryside in the city”. This research project investigates how the urban and the rural are materialised, represented and practised in five allotment sites in Brno, Czech Republic. We follow three main lines of enquiry where the urban and the rural seem to meet: the physical environment of the allotments; the social life of these spaces; and food production as one of their core functions. Critical reflection of the rural-urban perspective advances our understanding of urban gardens, while, at the same time, allotments offer an example of hybrid spaces, which, in turn, contribute to discussions on current cities and countrysides. Overcoming the urban-rural dichotomy could facilitate the inclusion of urban gardening in contemporary cities.

The countryside in the city? Rural-urban dynamics in allotment gardens in Brno, Czech Republic

Department of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Studies

Moravian Geographical Reports

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The position of urban allotments in the rural-urban spectrum is evaluated in this paper, which contributes to literatures on urban gardening, as well as...

The countryside in the city? Rural-urban dynamics in allotment gardens in Brno, Czech Republic

Published Online: Jul 09, 2019

Page range: 108 - 121

Received: Jul 08, 2018

Accepted: Mar 14, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2019-0009

Keywords
urban gardening, allotment, rural-urban dynamics, counterurbanisation, food self-provisioning, new sociations, Brno, Czech Republic

© 2019 Lucie Sovová et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The countryside in the city? Rural-urban dynamics in allotment gardens in Brno, Czech Republic

Published Online: Jul 09, 2019

Page range: 108 - 121

Received: Jul 08, 2018

Accepted: Mar 14, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2019-0009

Keywordsurban gardening, allotment, rural-urban dynamics, counterurbanisation, food self-provisioning, new sociations, Brno, Czech Republic

© 2019 Lucie Sovová et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
urban gardening, allotment, rural-urban dynamics, counterurbanisation, food self-provisioning, new sociations, Brno, Czech Republic