Cultivating communities: understanding motivations in urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

In local food systems research, a notable gap exists in exploring the personal motivations of individual gardeners, with most studies focusing solely on the overarching objectives of community gardens in Global South regions. This study bridges the gap by investigating the multifaceted motivations driving urban gardening among low-income residents in Cape Town’s Cape Flats, using a mixed-methods approach that integrates survey data from 97 participants and semi-structured interviews conducted across 34 community gardens. Although community gardens are predominantly designed with economic aims as evidenced by 29 out of 34 gardens prioritizing income generation, the findings reveal a tension between these institutional objectives and the personal motivations of individual gardeners. Quantitative analysis of the responses indicates that while 76.3% of participants indicated economic reasons, all respondents affirmed the importance of social, health, and environmental benefits. Qualitative insights further reveal that many gardeners perceive their participation as a means to enhance physical and psychological well‐being and to promote sustainable environmental practices, despite facing structural barriers such as limited space, time constraints, and inadequate resources. This study contributes to urban food systems literature by challenging conventional economic framings of urban gardening in the Global South and advocating for inclusive policies that bridge the gap between institutional aims and individual experiences, thereby enhancing the resilience and sustainability of urban community gardens.