Community Gardens: Space for Interactions and Adaptations

Abstract

Community gardens programs for social housing in Melbourne are part of attempts to engage immigrants in urban activities. The literature argues that the gardens provide space for migrants to meet other people and thus foster social inclusion, while at the same time providing space to preserve their cultural identity. This paper will investigate the adaptation of migrants within the garden setting, by considering the extent to which cultural practices in gardening affect their ability to adapt to the host country (Australia). The findings confirm a complex relationship between historical garden practices/culture and the reality of practices in the community gardens.