Management analysis and socio-cultural assessment of community urban gardens in the city of Cordoba (Spain)

Cities are socio-biological systems where social and natural aspects are interconnected through the provision and consumption of ecosystem services. Urban gardens represent important refuges for biodiversity, which also helps to preserve the local ecological knowledge and increase the quality of life in cities. This study has collected data from 8 community urban gardens that are operating today in the city of Cordoba, analysing their management and associated management practices, establishing relationships with environmental, social and economic aspects. This work has also collect information from people directly involved in the gardens, studying the influence of these gardens on the welfare of citizens through an assessment of the services provided in these ecosystems. The three services produced by urban gardens that are considered most important by users interviewed are "seed protection and local varieties", "environmental education" and "provide quality food." The work is useful to analyze the relationship between ecological and social values of orchards inventoried, as well as its relevance, since many times they go unnoticed in the planning and management of urban green spaces and yet encourage sustainable development of the cities and environmental awareness and education.