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ood insecurity is a growing issue in the Global North 1,2 , where the majority of the population (sometimes in excess of 80%) lives in urban areas 3. Food production in urban areas, particularly horticultural production 4,5 , is increasingly recognized at all levels of governance, from local to transnational, as an important contributor to food security 6. Despite this recognition, there have been few attempts to analyse the feasibility of urban horticulture (UH) in terms of the space available within the urban fabric. We explore this issue in a case study city in the United Kingdom using a geographic information system (GIS) to map green infrastructure now used for UH along with other green infrastructure (such as parks, gardens, roadside verges and woodland) and grey infrastructure (buildings, for example) that has the potential to form part of an expanding UH system. We then develop a conceptual framework that addresses the scientific, practical engineering, knowledge, economic and socio-cultural factors that underpin sustainable UH delivery in the Global North. Within this framework, we consider two different forms of UH: soil-based horticulture (SBH) within green infrastructure and controlled environment horticulture (CEH) on flat roofs within grey infrastructure.

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PurposeParticipation in urban horticulture (UH) is increasing in popularity, and evidence is emerging about the wide range of social and environmental benefits “grow your own” can also provide. UH can increase mental and physical well-being, as well as improve nature connectedness, social capital and community cohesion.Design/methodology/approachThis study focusses on allotments, which is one of the dominant forms of UH that takes place in the United Kingdom. 163 volunteers in England and Wales participated in keeping a year-long allotment diary as part of a citizen science project investigating activities on allotment gardens. This study examines the unprompted comments that 96 of these gardeners offered as observations when visiting their allotment plots.FindingsParticipants recorded high levels of social and community activities including the sharing of surplus food produce, knowledge exchange, awareness and interaction with wildlife, emotional connection to their allotment, appreciation of time spent outside and aesthetic delight in the natural world around them.Originality/valueAt a time when waiting lists for allotment plots in the United Kingdom are on the rise, and allotment land is subject to multiple pressures from other forms of development, this study demonstrates that these spaces are important sites not only for food production but also health, social capital and environmental engagement.

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