Effect of household economic indices on sustainability of community gardens

Abstract

As a critical tool to foster sustainable urban environments and boost quality of life for its participants, community gardening has been used in diverse fields including urban planning, design, and regeneration projects. Despite multiple researches on the issue, however, few have paid attention to its urban economic aspect which affects residents' consistent participation. In this regards, the article analyzed key economic elements crucial for a longer-term commitment by conducting a survey on 117 participants residing in apartment complexes in South Korea's capital city of Seoul. The results showed that the participants not only used lands within/near their houses but spaces located far from their residences. Also, a higher level of their Engel's coefficient and the increase in the size of their cultivating lands turned out to boost the prolonged participation in their community gardening activity. Older participants and those who live with fewer family members were also found to be more proactive in community gardening.