Growing ‘tools for conviviality’: Exploring the transformative potential of urban gardening initiatives in Indian cities

Abstract

One of the major setbacks of humans dwelling in urbanised spaces is a huge disconnect between humans and the ecosystems that sustain them. To counter this challenge in specific ways, a growing awareness about industrial food production and consumption patterns, along with a need to create alternatives have given rise to a range of small-scale food growing initiatives in urban areas. In India, as urban spaces with uneven geographies and socio-economic realities are rapidly growing, we are faced with challenges food security and sovereignty. This article offers some preliminary insights into the varied motivations, constraints and possibilities that inspire urban gardening practices in Indian cities. Specifically, the article seeks to formalise some aspects of urban gardening in India via the following questions: 1) what kinds of practices and perspectives are embedded in urban gardening initiatives?, and 2) how can greater civic participation be nurtured through these practices and associated ideas? Based on a qualitative study involving practitioners, we argue that community gardening can be an important way to motivate people to re-establish connections with ecosystems. However, sustained transformations in urban spaces and food systems require supportive public policies, infrastructure and social acceptability. In conclusion, we emphasise the need to build on convivial structures such as community gardening initiatives as an educative social practice to traverse the journey from personal motivations to political commitments towards ecological flourishing.