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Jump to navigationJump to search→Characteristics and historical background of allotment gardens in Germany
The aspect of [[food security]] provided by allotment gardens became particularly evident during [[World War]]s I and II. The socio-economic situation was very miserable, particularly as regards the nutritional status of urban residents. Many cities were isolated from their rural hinterlands and agricultural products did not reach the city markets anymore or were sold at very high prices at the black markets. Consequently, food production within the city, especially fruit and vegetable production in [[home gardens]] and allotment gardens, became essential for survival (''[http://homepage.mac.com/cityfarmer/.Pictures/Corbis%20Photos/39Berliners.jpg Berliners cultivate vegetables by the ruins of the Reichstag] in June 1946''). The importance of allotment gardens for food security was so obvious that in 1919, one year after the end of [[World War I]], the first legislation for allotment gardening in Germany was passed. The so-called “Small Garden and Small-Rent Land Law”, provided security in land tenure and fixed leasing fees. In 1983, this law was amended by the “Federal Allotment Gardens Act”[http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bkleingg/index.html ''(Bundeskleingartengesetz)'']. Today, there are still about 1.4 million allotment gardens in Germany covering an area of 47,000 ha.<ref>Gröning, G., Wolschke-Bulmahn, J., 1995. Von Ackermann bis Ziegelhütte, Studien zur Frankfurter Geschichte, Band 36. Frankfurt am Main, Germany.</ref>
The aspect of [[food security]] provided by allotment gardens became particularly evident during [[World War]]s I and II. The socio-economic situation was very miserable, particularly as regards the nutritional status of urban residents. Many cities were isolated from their rural hinterlands and agricultural products did not reach the city markets anymore or were sold at very high prices at the black markets. Consequently, food production within the city, especially fruit and vegetable production in [[home gardens]] and allotment gardens, became essential for survival (''[http://homepage.mac.com/cityfarmer/.Pictures/Corbis%20Photos/39Berliners.jpg Berliners cultivate vegetables by the ruins of the Reichstag] in June 1946''). The importance of allotment gardens for food security was so obvious that in 1919, one year after the end of [[World War I]], the first legislation for allotment gardening in Germany was passed. The so-called “Small Garden and Small-Rent Land Law”, provided security in land tenure and fixed leasing fees. In 1983, this law was amended by the “Federal Allotment Gardens Act”[http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bkleingg/index.html ''(Bundeskleingartengesetz)'']. Today, there are still about 1.4 million allotment gardens in Germany covering an area of 47,000 ha.<ref>Gröning, G., Wolschke-Bulmahn, J., 1995. Von Ackermann bis Ziegelhütte, Studien zur Frankfurter Geschichte, Band 36. Frankfurt am Main, Germany.</ref>
Nevertheless, the importance of allotment gardening in Germany has shifted over the years. While in times of crisis and widespread poverty (from 1850 to 1950), allotment gardening was a part time job, and its main importance was to enhance food security and improve food supply, its present functions have to be seen under a different point of view. In times of busy working days and the hectic urban atmosphere, allotment gardens have turned into recreational areas and locations for social gatherings. As green oases within oceans of asphalt and cement, they are substantially contributing to the conservation of nature within cities. What was previously a part time job is nowadays considered as a hobby where the hectic schedule of the day becomes a distant memory, while digging the flowerbeds and getting a little soil under the fingernails. However, in
Nevertheless, the importance of allotment gardening in Germany has shifted over the years. While in times of crisis and widespread poverty (from 1850 to 1950), allotment gardening was a part time job, and its main importance was to enhance food security and improve food supply, its present functions have to be seen under a different point of view. In times of busy working days and the hectic urban atmosphere, allotment gardens have turned into recreational areas and locations for social gatherings. As green oases within oceans of asphalt and cement, they are substantially contributing to the conservation of nature within cities. What was previously a part time job is nowadays considered as a hobby where the hectic schedule of the day becomes a distant memory, while digging the flowerbeds and getting a little soil under the fingernails. However, in situations of weak economy and high unemployment rates, gardens become increasingly important for food production again.[http://www.kleingarten-bund.de/fachthemen/details.php?action=showArticle&articleNr=277 (''Schrebergärten voll im Trend'')]
== Allotment gardens in Sweden ==
== Allotment gardens in Sweden ==
