From Soil to Society

Abstract

This qualitative research is about the role of allotment gardens in providing opportunities for sharing knowledge and identity building from a sociological and intangible cultural heritage perspective. Twenty allotment gardeners of two allotment garden complexes in Rotterdam have been interviewed to research this topic. Community building happens at the allotment garden complexes and this makes that the social cohesion between the allotment gardeners is strong. This research showed that the respondents actively share knowledge with each other and that having an allotment garden to use the learned knowledge makes it able to embody the knowledge. This helps to actively safeguard knowledge. Furthermore, allotment gardens provide the opportunity for the respondents to keep in touch with their roots and to enjoy the freedom of having an outdoor area. This is a form of identity building that is facilitated.