This book provides an interdisciplinary overview of the role of gardens in cities throughout
different historical periods. It shows that thanks to various forms of spatial and social
organisation gardens are part of the material urban landscape biodiversity symbolic and
social shape and assets of our cities and are increasingly becoming valued as an 'order' to
follow. Gardens have long been part of the development of cities serving different purposes
through the ages: shaping neighborhoods to promote health or hygiene introducing aesthetic or
biological elements gathering the citizens around a social purpose and providing food and
diversity in times of crisis. Highlighting examples that can serve as the basis for comparisons
the chapters offer a brief panorama of experiences and models of gardens in the city - in the
European context and in various periods of history - while also discussing issues related to
garden cities urban agriculture and community gardens. The contributors are university staff
from various disciplines in the human and life sciences in discourse with other academics but
also with practitioners who are interested in experiences with urban gardens and in promoting
an awareness of their spatial social and 'philosophical' goals throughout history. The book
will appeal to urban geographers sociologists and historians but also to urban ecologists
dealing with ecosystem services biodiversity and sustainable development in cities. From a
more operational standpoint landscape planners and architects are sure to find many of the
projects enlightening and inspirational.
