volkstuinen

Volkstuinen are community allotment gardens in the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking regions where residents cultivate vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers on privately leased plots within a shared garden area. They are organized as member associations and are typically part of municipal green-space networks that provide access for urban residents to outdoor space and hands-on gardening.

The concept originated as a social and public health initiative in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, expanding in the postwar period. Volkstuinen served to give urban workers affordable land for food production, provide relaxation and education, and increase contact with nature. Today they remain popular as a form of hobby gardening, a source of fresh produce, and a space for community interaction.

Plots are usually managed by local volkstuinverenigingen (volkstuin associations) within municipal regulations. The size of plots varies, commonly ranging from small to several hundred square meters, with many gardens offering plots around 100 to 250 square meters. Leases are typically long-term or renewable annual licenses, and gardeners pay a fee to cover plot maintenance, shared facilities, and association activities. Shared facilities may include water supply, sheds, composting areas, and communal compost bins. Rules cover garden maintenance, allowed crops, pesticide usage, and safety, with a focus on sustainable and cooperative gardening practices.

In contemporary use, volkstuinen function as social and educational spaces as well as places to grow food. They contribute to urban biodiversity, offer community-building opportunities, and provide accessible green space in cities, while adapting to changing land use and urban policy.