Allotments in Europe
In German-speaking countries, allotment gardens are accordingly generally known as Schrebergärten (singular: Schrebergarten), sometimes literally translated as Schreber gardens. The history of the allotment gardens in Germany is closely connected with the period of industrialization and urbanization in Europe during the 19th century when a large number of people migrated from the rural areas to the cities to find employment and a better life. The idea of organised allotment gardening reached a first peak after 1864, when the so-called Schreber Movement started in the city of Leipzig in Saxony. A public initiative decided to lease areas within the city, with the purpose to make it possible for children to play in a healthy environment and in harmony with nature. Later on, these areas included actual gardens for children, but soon adults tended towards taking over and cultivating these gardens. This kind of gardening also became popular in other European countries such as Austria and Switzerland. Today, there are still about 1.4 million allotment gardens in Germany covering an area of 470 km2. In Berlin alone there are 833 allotment garden complexes.
A 1732 engraving of Birmingham, England shows the town encircled by allotments, some of which still exist to this day. The accolade for the oldest allotment site is reserved by Great Somerford Free Gardens in the Wiltshire village of Great Somerford. These were created in 1809. In 2008 The Guardian reported that 330,000 people held an allotment in the UK, whilst 100,000 were on waiting lists. The first allotment gardens in the Netherlands were founded in 1838. In the 19th century, cities started allotment gardens for working-class families. Until the 1950s, the gardens were primarily used for vegetable production, since then there has been a shift to recreational use. Today, the Netherlands has 240,000 allotments.
Fredericia is a town located in the eastern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. In 1778, land was laid out outside the fortifications of Fredericia for allotment gardens. In 1828, allotment gardens were established in several other Danish towns. Private initiative formed the first Danish allotment association in Aalborg in 1884. Since then allotment gardens have spread to most Danish towns. The Danish tradition for allotment gardens later spread to the other Scandinavian countries; first Sweden, then Norway and Finland. In 1895, the first allotment garden of Sweden was established in Malmö, followed by Stockholm in 1904.
The Swedish Federation of Leisure Gardening was founded in 1921 and represents today more than 51,000 allotment and leisure gardeners. The members are organised in about 275 local societies all over Sweden. The land is usually rented from the local authorities. There are 13 allotment gardens in Norway, with around 2000 allotments. The oldest, Etterstad Kolonihager, dates to 1908. The allotment gardens are quite popular, and there can be a waiting list of 10 and in some cases even 20 years. The first allotment garden in Finland was established in 1916 in Tampere. Nowadays there are about 50 allotment gardens all around Finland. Those gardens have 5000 allotmenteers. Allotment gardens are very desired and prices are quite high.
In some localities in France, allotments are sited in marginal zones such as edges of motorways, railways and industrial parks These areas are unsuitable for other uses. These places suffer from poor access, may not be safe, and often lack a water supply, and are not protected from real estate transactions.
A 1732 engraving of Birmingham, England shows the town encircled by allotments, some of which still exist to this day. The accolade for the oldest allotment site is reserved by Great Somerford Free Gardens in the Wiltshire village of Great Somerford. These were created in 1809. In 2008 The Guardian reported that 330,000 people held an allotment in the UK, whilst 100,000 were on waiting lists. The first allotment gardens in the Netherlands were founded in 1838. In the 19th century, cities started allotment gardens for working-class families. Until the 1950s, the gardens were primarily used for vegetable production, since then there has been a shift to recreational use. Today, the Netherlands has 240,000 allotments.
Fredericia is a town located in the eastern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. In 1778, land was laid out outside the fortifications of Fredericia for allotment gardens. In 1828, allotment gardens were established in several other Danish towns. Private initiative formed the first Danish allotment association in Aalborg in 1884. Since then allotment gardens have spread to most Danish towns. The Danish tradition for allotment gardens later spread to the other Scandinavian countries; first Sweden, then Norway and Finland. In 1895, the first allotment garden of Sweden was established in Malmö, followed by Stockholm in 1904.
The Swedish Federation of Leisure Gardening was founded in 1921 and represents today more than 51,000 allotment and leisure gardeners. The members are organised in about 275 local societies all over Sweden. The land is usually rented from the local authorities. There are 13 allotment gardens in Norway, with around 2000 allotments. The oldest, Etterstad Kolonihager, dates to 1908. The allotment gardens are quite popular, and there can be a waiting list of 10 and in some cases even 20 years. The first allotment garden in Finland was established in 1916 in Tampere. Nowadays there are about 50 allotment gardens all around Finland. Those gardens have 5000 allotmenteers. Allotment gardens are very desired and prices are quite high.
In some localities in France, allotments are sited in marginal zones such as edges of motorways, railways and industrial parks These areas are unsuitable for other uses. These places suffer from poor access, may not be safe, and often lack a water supply, and are not protected from real estate transactions.
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Malta introduced its first allotment gardens in April 2011. The scheme, which is called Midd Idejk fil-Biedja (Try Your Hand at Farming), aims to encourage people, especially the young and those living in urban areas, to take up organic farming.
There are currently over 50 allotment plots located in Malta. The scheme is run by The Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. |
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Germany 1.4 million allotments
United Kingdom 330,000 The Netherlands 240,000 Denmark 62,120 Sweden 51,000 Belgium 42,000 Austria 38,000 Switzerland 27,000 France 26,000 Finland 5,000 Norway 2,000 Malta 50 |
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