STRENGTHENING URBAN FOOD SECURITY THROUGH COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAMMES: THE ROLE OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Abstract

The implementation of community garden programmes in urban areas, as outlined in the Green Neighbourhood Guidelines (Department of Town and Country Planning, 2012), supports sustainable development through the creation of green neighbourhoods. These initiatives not only contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and the mitigation of the urban heat island effect, but also strengthen urban food security by enabling local fresh food production, reducing reliance on rural supply chains, and improving community access to nutritious food sources. Community gardens require active community participation, collaboration with non-governmental organisations, and multi-agency support involving local authorities as well as state and federal governments. The implementation of community gardens supports three key dimensions of food security at the local level: availability, accessibility, and stability of supply. Local authorities play a facilitative role by providing land, policy support, and implementation coordination, thereby enabling these programmes to be delivered in a systematic and sustained manner. Garden development typically involves site identification, participatory planning with the community, the provision of technical assistance, training, and agricultural inputs, followed by phased cultivation activities. Continuous monitoring and maintenance by the community, institutionally supported by local authorities, ensure the long-term viability of the gardens and their effectiveness in enhancing urban food security. Collectively, this process contributes to the formation of a sustainable neighbourhood ecosystem that is socially resilient, economically viable, and secure in terms of local food systems.